Ledisi Anibade Young (; born March 28, 1972),Nina Simone Saved Ledisi's Life. Now She's Paying Tribute on an Album . New York Times. Retrieved on June 15, 2024 better known simply as Ledisi, is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.
In 1995, Ledisi formed a band after her middle name Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Music with musician Sundra Manning. She released her debut album Soulsinger (2000), which featured the single "Take Time", which gained substantial airplay from San Francisco area radio stations. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which won "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards in 2003.Keepin’ the Booty Big. East Bay Express. Retrieved on July 18, 2024 In 2006, Ledisi signed a record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album, titled Lost & Found (2007). The album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. She released six more albums on Verve: It's Christmas (2008), Turn Me Loose (2009), Pieces of Me (2011), The Truth (2014), The Intimate Truth (2015), and Let Love Rule (2017).
In 2020, Ledisi released her ninth album The Wild Card on her own record label Listen Back Entertainment. The album's single "Anything for You" won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. She released four more albums on her label including Ledisi Live at The Troubadour (2021), Ledisi Sings Nina (2021), Good Life (2024), and The Crown (2025).
Aside from music, Ledisi has embarked a career in film and television as an actress. She portrayed gospel icon Mahalia Jackson in the films Selma (2014) and Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022). Other roles include a guest appearance as Patti LaBelle in the BET docudrama American Soul, a cameo appearance as a choir member in the FX drama Pose (both 2020), as well as co-starring as Gladys Knight in the film Spinning Gold (2023). She also starred in her first Hallmark original movie, All Saints Christmas (2022).
Early life Ledisi Anibade Young was born on March 28, 1972, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Nyra Dynese Young, a singer-songwriter in local band Coronava, and Larry Saunders, a 1970s singer and musician. Saunders departed from the family when Ledisi was a baby. Her mother remarried to a drummer named Joseph Pierce III, who adopted Ledisi after the marriage. She has an older sister, Shannon, and a younger sister.Ledisi speaks 'The Truth' Interview. Ebony Magazine. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 Ledisi's biological paternal grandfather, Johnny Ace, was an American blues singer who was known for his single "Pledging My Love".
Ledisi was raised Catholic and attended local churches in New Orleans. Her mother was raised Baptist. At the age of eight, she performed publicly with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. At age thirteen, her family relocated to Oakland, California, where she went to Edna Brewer Middle School, formerly McChesney Junior High School. She later enrolled in Skyline High School, from which she graduated in 1990.
Career 1990–1999: Career beginnings In 1990, she starred as the lead character Dorothy in an Antioch Community Theater production of The Wiz in Antioch, California.Beth Peerless, Where it's at: Ledisi returns to Jazz Fest lineup. Monterey Herald. Retrieved on June 8, 2024 Her performance earned a Shellie Award nomination in the same year. She also joined a cabaret production of Beach Blanket Babylon in San Francisco. She earned a scholarship and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied piano and opera.Ledisi: A Singer's Second Life. NPR. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 Ledisi was briefly part of an acid jazz group called Slide Five.Ledisi. The New Yorker. Retrieved on July 19, 2024 Ledisi formed her own funk band called Anibade. The band performed around the San Francisco Bay Area, building notoriety in the area. After the group failed to secure a record deal, Ledisi and keyboardist Sundra Manning formed their own label LeSun Music.
2000–2004: Soulsinger and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue In 2000, Ledisi released her first album Soulsinger, which featured the band Anibade, on LeSun Music. The album featured the single "Take Time" and received positive reviews.Soulsinger. Billboard. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 In 2002, she released her second album Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album featured jazz standards "'Round Midnight", "In a Sentimental Mood", and "Autumn Leaves (Les feuilles mortes)". The album won "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards in 2003.
In August 2003, Ledisi and Anibade performed at the San Jose Jazz Festival.Freelon, Cubanismo Set For San Jose Jazz Fest. Billboard. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 She also released a 4-track extended play titled Ledisi & Anibade – "Live" The Bootleg Recordings Vol. 1."Ledisi – Ledisi & Anibade – "Live" The Bootleg Recordings Vol. 1. Discogs. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 In the same year, she reissued her first album under the title Soulsinger: The Revival, distributed by Tommy Boy Records. In May 2004, Ledisi portrayed two characters, The Washing Machine and The Radio, in the Broadway production of Caroline, or Change.Ledisi Broadway credits. Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved on June 6, 2024
2007–2010: Lost & Found and Verve Records In 2006, Ledisi secured a major record deal with Verve Forecast, a subsidiary of Verve Records. Ledisi had been recording her third album Lost & Found prior to her record deal.Singer Ledisi Was 'Lost' but Now Is 'Found'. WUNC. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 The album was released on August 28, 2007."Ledisi – Lost & Found". AllMusic. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 Lost & Found peaked at number 10 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and sold over 237,000 copies in the United States.Ledisi Billboard Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved on June 6, 2024Soul singer Ledisi lets "Loose" on new album. Reuters. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 The album's lead single "Alright" peaked at number 11 on the Adult R&B Songs chart.
During her tour in February 2008, she performed at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.Ledisi / February 15, 2008 / New York (Highline Ballroom). Billboard. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 She received positive feedback from critics for her emotional performance, which was described as a "religious experience". In March 2008, "In the Morning" was released as the second single and peaked at number fifteen on the Adult R&B Songs chart. The album earned Ledisi two nominations at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, for Best R&B Album and Best New Artist. She made a cameo appearance in the comedy film Leatherheads as a blues singer who performed the pop standard "The Man I Love" in April 2008. In September 2008, she released her Christmas album titled It's Christmas."Ledisi – It's Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved on June 6, 2024Ledisi Proclaims ‘It’s Christmas’ On First Holiday Album. Billboard. Retrieved on June 6, 2024
Her fifth album Turn Me Loose was released in August 2009, peaking atop of the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. To promote the album, she joined with multi-cultural beauty brand Carol's Daughter, with whom she ran an advertising promotion that included a brand sampler.Exclusive Song: Ledisi's "Trippin'". Billboard. June 6, 2024 The album's first single "Goin' Thru Changes" peaked at number forty-three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number fifteen on the Adult R&B Songs chart. The follow-up single "Higher Than This" peaked at number twenty-two on the Adult R&B Songs chart. The album earned two nominations at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, for Best R&B Album and "Goin' Thru Changes" earning a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
2011–2019: Pieces of Me and subsequent releases
In June 2011, Ledisi released her sixth album Pieces of Me. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number two on the Billboards R&B Albums. The album's lead single "Pieces of Me" became one of her most successful songs on the Billboard chart, peaking at number two on the Adult R&B Songs and number nineteen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "Pieces of Me" also earned a gold certification by the RIAA. She headlined her first major tour called the Pieces of Me Tour, which went on to play to over twenty-two sold-out shows.Ledisi Finds Success and Confidence in Pieces of Me. Houston Press. Retrieved on June 6, 2024 The success of the album earned three nominations at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song (for the song "Pieces of Me"), and Best R&B Performance (for the song "Pieces of Me"). In April 2012, she headlined her second tour called the B.G.T.Y. Tour. In June 2012, Ledisi released her first book titled Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power, on Time Home Entertainment, Inc.Ledisi is 'Better Than Alright' – she talks about her new book and what it means to be 'beautiful'. CNN. Retrieved on June 6, 2024Essence Presents Ledisi Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power. Barnes and Noble. Retrieved on June 6, 2024
Her seventh album The Truth was released in March 2014. The album spawned the top-ten Billboard Adult R&B Songs "I Blame You" and "Like This". The song "Like This" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance in 2015. In April 2014, Ledisi portrayed American singer Mahalia Jackson in the American historical drama film, Selma. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights in Alabama, led by James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr., and Hosea Williams. In the film and on the film's soundtrack, Ledisi performed "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". In January 2015, Ledisi released a studio live extended play titled The Intimate Truth. A month later, she embarked on The Intimate Truth Tour.
In May 2017, Ledisi released a single titled "High". She released her eighth studio album titled Let Love Rule on September 22, 2017. Let Love Rule received three nominations at the 60th Grammy Awards in January 2018 including Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best Traditional R&B Performance. She won a Soul Train Certified Award at the 2018 Soul Train Music Awards. In June 2018, she performed "Sweet Love" in tribute to Anita Baker. In the same year, she performed "Ain't No Way" in tribute to Aretha Franklin at Black Girls Rock!. She released an autobiography titled The Walk: Accepting Your Life As It Is Now in August 2018.The Walk: Accepting Your Life As It Is Now. Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved on August 29, 2025Interview: Multi-Grammy Nominee and Author Ledisi Talks New Book, The Walk: Accepting Your Life As It is Now. Houston Style Magazine. Retrieved on August 29, 2025 In October 2018, Ledisi performed "As Long as You're Mine" with Adam Lambert in an NBC broadcast, A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway. In 2019, she portrayed the Ancestor in the Off-Broadway theatre production of Witness Uganda."Ledisi, Hamilton Alum Amber Iman, More Set for Witness Ugandas Los Angeles Bow" by Ryan McPhee, Playbill, January 7, 2019. In the same year, she co-wrote and co-produced her residency show titled Ledisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue, which sold out in nineteen shows.Ledisi Named Artist in Residence at Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. Berklee. Retrieved on June 6, 2024
2020–2024: The Wild Card, Ledisi Sings Nina, and Good Life