Good Life is the eleventh studio album by American singer and songwriter Ledisi. It was released on March 15, 2024, by Listen Back Entertainment, and distributed by BMG Rights Management.
Background After the release of Ledisi's previous album, Ledisi Sings Nina (2021), she took a brief hiatus from music to further her acting career. She starred in the lead role of portraying American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the American biographical musical film Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022), reprising the role from the earlier historical film Selma (2014). In 2023, she portrayed American singer Gladys Knight in the biographical drama film Spinning Gold. In February 2023, Ledisi co-headlined the Soul II Soul Tour with American singer Kem.The Soul II Soul Tour. Seven Venues. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 Before embarking on the tour, Ledisi recorded a new single titled "I Need to Know" for the tour as she did not want to tour without a new single.Ledisi Talks Her New Album 'The Good Life', and Why She Will Never Be Boxed In. BET. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 The Soul II Soul Tour played twenty-three dates and concluded in May 2023.
Recording and production Record sessions for the album were meant to start in 2022 but were halted due to the success of her previous album, Ledisi Sings Nina, as well as the filming of Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story where Ledisi portrays American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. At the beginning of recording sessions, she didn't know which musical direction to take for album. In an interview with BET, Ledisi recounted "I had some stuff written but I didn't know what direction I wanted to go. I was moving and I didn't have anything interesting in my personal life to sing about." She began working with songwriters and producers Darhyl Camper, Ray Keys, and longtime collaborative partner Rex Rideout. Two female songwriters, Marsha Ambrosius and Francesca Richard, who helped structure the album were also part of the team. She also worked with projection and newcomers G.A.D. and Shoji.US: Grammy award-winning Ledisi debuts new single 'Sell Me No Dreams' ahead of new album release to come in 2024. BMG EntertainmenT. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 Ledisi co-wrote all of the songs on the album. During the recording of "Perfect Stranger", Ledisi's husband Ronald T. Young encouraged her to add American singer Kenny Lattimore to the record.
Release and promotion
In collaboration with BMG Rights Management, Good Life was released by Ledisi's record label Listen Back Entertainment on March 15, 2024.Ledisi - Good Life. AllMusic. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 Good Life is the fourth album to be released on Listen Back Entertainment. To promote Good Life, Ledisi appeared on various television shows from early-2023 to mid-2024. She debuted the single "I Need to Know" on The Jennifer Hudson Show on February 1, 2023.Ledisi's Television Debut of Her Latest Song, 'I Need to Know'. Jennifer Hudson Show. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 On March 12, 2024, she performed the album's lead single "Sell Me No Dreams" on The Tamron Hall Show.Ledisi Performs "Sell Me No Dreams" On "Tamron Hall". Tamron Hall Show. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 In March 2024, Ledisi embarked on The Good Life Tour.Ledisi Embarks on a Musical Journey With 'Good Life' Album. Broadway World. Retrieved on June 14, 2024Ledisi's The Good Life tour showcases stellar vocals, catalog, and new album. Rolling Out. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 The tour began on March 6, 2024, at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York, Pennsylvania.
Singles "I Need to Know" was the first single to be released on January 12, 2023. The song was recorded for Ledisi to have new music to perform during the Soul II Soul Tour. The song peaked atop of Billboard's Adult R&B Songs chart on May 25, 2023.Ledisi's 'I Need to Know' Hits No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart. Billboard. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 It held the top position for two weeks, making it her second song to achieve this.Ledisi Billboard Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 The accompanying lyric video was released to YouTube on January 12, 2023.Ledisi - I Need to Know (Official Lyric Video). YouTube. Retrieved on June 14, 2024
"Sell Me No Dreams" was released as the album's lead single on November 28, 2023. The song rose to number 47 on Billboard'''s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 18 on the Adult R&B Songs chart. The accompanying music video for "Sell Me No Dreams", directed by her husband Ron T. Young, was released on February 21, 2024.Ledisi - Sell Me No Dreams (Official Music Video). YouTube. Retrieved on June 14, 2024
"Perfect Stranger", featuring Kenny Lattimore, was released as the second single from Good Life on February 2, 2024.Perfect Stranger (feat. Kenny Lattimore) - Single by Ledisi. Spotify. Retrieved on June 14, 2024 The accompanying music video for "Perfect Stranger", directed by Ron T. Young, was released on February 21, 2024.Ledisi - Perfect Stranger (Official Music Video) ft. Kenny Lattimore. YouTube. Retrieved on June 14, 2024
Critical receptionGood Life received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman of AllMusic praised Ledisi for "her smart choices for new collaborators which resulted in an album that further strengthens her body of work." Ebony magazine's Josh Baker referred to the album as "a powerful testimony, reflecting her journey of overcoming obstacles such as being told she wasn't pretty enough or would never make it."Ledisi Embraces the 'Good Life' and Her Latest Album Proves Just That. Ebony. Retrieved on October 9, 2024 Baker also praises the album's theme of "a positive outlook while also addressing the theme of overcoming chaos." Keith Spera of The New Orleans Advocate simply called Good Life'', "a throwback to the classic-sounding contemporary R&B and soul."'Sexy nerd' Ledisi, the New Orleans-born singer/actress, is living the 'Good Life' on new album
Track listing
References