#ivan soulsinger

[ghostcond]

niche blorbo post number 624 get excited

[blackkudos]

Ledisi

Ledisi Anibade Young (born March 28, 1972), better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter, and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Anibade and Ledisi released an album entitled "Soulsinger" (black and white cover on the LeSun Music independent label) featuring the song Take Time, which gained substantial airplay from San Francisco area radio stations. A twelve-time Grammy Award nominee, Ledisi has released eight studio albums between 2000 and 2017.

In 2000, Ledisi re-released her first major label signed album, titled Soulsinger: The Revival. Ledisi and her group toured in 2001. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.

In 2005, Ledisi signed a record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album, titled Lost & Found, on August 28, 2007; it sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas.

In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose, which earned her two Grammy nominations, followed by her fifth album Pieces of Me (2011) which debuted on the US Billboard 200 album chart at number eight, becoming the first top-ten album of her career and her highest-charting album to date. It also garnered three Grammy nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards including for Best R&B Album. In 2013, she received a nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards for her collaboration with fellow R&B and jazz musician Robert Glasper for the album cut "Gonna Be Alright" from his fifth album Black Radio (2012). In 2014, she released her sixth album The Truth to critical acclaim and moderate sales. She portrayed legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic, Selma.

Early life

Ledisi was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She grew up in a musical family; her mother, Nyra Dynese, sang in a Louisiana R&B band and her stepfather, Joseph Pierce III, (deceased) was a drummer in the New Orleans area. Her biological father is soul singer Larry Sanders, the son of blues singer Johnny Ace. He left the family when she was a baby and they did not meet again for nearly three decades.

Ledisi first began performing publicly at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. Ledisi moved to Oakland, California, where she attended McChesney Junior High School, now Edna Brewer Middle School. She was shy about her singing abilities and would sing only upon request when students in her gym class would implore her to sing Deniece Williams's version of Black Butterfly, bringing the entire locker room audience under the spell of her very mature, melodious voice. As she sang more publicly her music career blossomed. She was nominated for a Shellie award in 1990 for her performance in a production of The Wiz and performed in an extended run with the San Francisco cabaret troupe, Beach Blanket Babylon. She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program.

Musical career

1995–1999: Career beginnings

In the 1990s, Ledisi formed a group called Anibade, alongside Sundra Manning (producer, keyboards, songwriting), Phoenix (LaGerald) Normand (background vocals, songwriting), Cedrickke Dennis (guitar), Nelson Braxton (bass), Wayne Braxton (sax), and Rob Rhodes (drums), playing a jazz and hip-hop influenced kind of soul. The group won acclaim in the San Francisco Bay Area with a cult-like following of die-hard fans who referred to themselves as "Ledites" and meet her with love at every event, singing along verbatim to songs that though unrecorded at the time, were well known by their fans. The group later recorded a demo of one of the songs from their set, entitled, "Take Time" which was played on local stations and requested non-stop. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck. Ledisi also performed often with jazz saxophonist Robert Stewart throughout the early 1990s in San Francisco.

2000–2003: Soulsinger: The Revival and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue

In January 2000, Ledisi released her first album, Soulsinger: The Revival, independently on her label, LeSun Records. The album spun off four singles, "Soulsinger", "Take Time", "Get Outta My Kitchen", and "Good Lovin'". After the release of Soulsinger: The Revival, Ledisi toured with her group Anibade.

In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which was also released independently. The album featured the singles "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue" and "Autumn Leaves". During this time she also recorded commercials for the Sci Fi Channel. In 2003, Ledisi won "Outstanding Jazz Album" for Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue at the California Music Awards.

2006–2008: Lost & Found

During her five-year hiatus, Ledisi made appearances on soundtracks. In 2007, she signed with Verve and released "Blues in the Night" which featured on the tribute album, We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song.

In August 2007, Ledisi's third album, Lost & Found, was released. During her hiatus, Ledisi stated that she was unsure of wanting to stay in the music industry. In response, Ledisi wrote the song "Alright" to express her life. "Alright" became the lead single and debuted at #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. The album's second single, "In The Morning", debuted at #49 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. Other songs from the album charted but were not released as singles. "Think of You" charted at #71 on the Hot R&B charts, "Joy" charted at #103 on the Hot R&B charts and #29 on the Adult R&B Airplay.

In December 2007, the album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found. By January 2009, the album had sold 216,894 copies.

In September 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas, which featured the singles "This Christmas" and "Children Go Where I Send Thee". In December 2008, Ledisi's T.V. special aired on Gospel Channel, titled "Ledisi Christmas". Ledisi performed a few songs from her Christmas album. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Give Love On Christmas Day" charted on the Hot R&B charts at #113.

In 2008 Ledisi performed the song "The Man I Love" as a blues singer in the Leatherheads movie.

2009–2010: Turn Me Loose

In 2009, Ledisi's fourth studio album was announced as Turn Me Loose. The album was released on August 18, 2009. Speaking in April 2010 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis – Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul – Ledisi explained the album's title reflected its musical diversity: "The title 'Turn Me Loose' is basically me saying 'I don't wanna be boxed in! Let me be myself as a performer and singer, because I do EVERYTHING! Not just one particular style!'." She employed production from seasoned R&B songwriter-producers such as Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright, and Carvin & Ivan. The first single from the album was "Goin' Thru Changes". The second single was "Higher Than This", produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and James "Big Jim" Wright.

On May 13, 2010, Ledisi performed at Charter Oak Cultural Center's 9th Annual Gala, a fundraiser for free after-school youth arts programming in inner-city Hartford. She performed several songs from Turn Me Loose, and also performed a duet with Anika Noni Rose, a tribute to the late Lena Horne.

2011–2012: Pieces of Me

Ledisi toured with R&B/soul singer Kem on his North American INTIMACY Tour. On March 10, 2011, during her opening act in Atlanta, Georgia, Ledisi announced that she had finished recording her fifth studio album, Pieces of Me, on March 9, 2011. It was released on June 14, 2011. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 38,000 copies in its first week. The album's title track served as the album's lead single.

Ledisi has performed at the White House seven times at the request of President and First Lady Obama.

Ledisi headlined her first tour to promote her album, Pieces of Me. The Pieces of Me Tour played to 22 sold out shows across North America. With this album, she received three nominations for the 2012 Grammy Awards, in the categories Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, for the album and the lead single "Pieces of Me".

Ledisi released her first book, Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power on Time Home Entertainment, Inc. in 2012. The book, an innovative collaboration with ESSENCE, is filled with the singer's personal photos, quotes, lyrics, and richly detailed stories of her journey to acceptance of her beauty, talent, and power.

On April 6, 2012, Ledisi announced her second headlining tour, B.G.T.Y., with Eric Benet serving as an opening act. In December 2012, VH1 announced that Ledisi would perform at their 2012 VH1 Divas show, a concert benefiting the Save The Music Foundation charity. Ledisi performed a Whitney Houston tribute medley with Jordin Sparks and Melanie Fiona.

2014–2016: The Truth

On March 2014, Ledisi released her new album The Truth. She is also on tour with Robert Glasper in partnership with the magazine "Essence" (which featured her on one of their three April covers as well as Erykah Badu and Solange Knowles).

In April 2014, Ledisi was cast to play Mahalia Jackson in the American historical drama film, Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb and DuVernay. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In the film and on the official film soundtrack, Ledisi sings "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". Initially slated to perform at the 57th Grammy Awards as part of a tribute to the Selma March alongside Common and John Legend (who performed their Oscar-winning duet "Glory") she was ultimately snubbed by the Recording Academy and recording artist Beyoncé, who performed in her place. Ledisi's snubbing and Beyoncé's performance received mixed reaction from social media. In 2015, she received her ninth Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance for the single "Like This" off of her seventh album The Truth. She lost to Beyoncé and Jay Z for "Drunk in Love".

2017–present: Let Love Rule

In May 2017, Ledisi released a single titled "High" produced by Darhyl "Hey DJ" Camper and Rex Rideout. Her eighth studio album called Let Love Rule was released on September 22, 2017. In November 2017, she received three more nominations at the 60th Grammy Awards in January 2018 including Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best Traditional R&B Performance. Ledisi won a Soul Train Award 'Soul Certified Award' for the album.

Ledisi helped the BET Awards pay tribute to Anita Baker, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of the night on June 24, with a rendition of the singer's 1986 ode "Sweet Love".

Ledisi was then a part of the Aretha Franklin Tribute that was put together by the annual award ceremony known as Black Girls Rock. Ledisi delivered a rendition of the hit "Ain't No Way".

In October 2018, Ledisi performed with Adam Lambert in an NBC broadcast, A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway, before a live studio audience at the Marquis Theatre in New York, singing "As Long as You're Mine" from Wicked.

Discography

Studio albums

Soulsinger: The Revival (2000)

Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (2002)

Lost & Found (2007)

Turn Me Loose (2009)

Pieces of Me (2011)

The Truth (2014)

Let Love Rule (2017)

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Ledisi has been nominated for twelve career Grammy Awards.

BET Awards

BETJ Virtual Awards

California Music Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (Nominated)

2008, Female Artist of the Year (Nominated)

2003, Outstanding Jazz Album, Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (Won)

2011, Centric Award (nominated)

2009, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (nominated)

2014, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)

2017 Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)

2017 Soul Certified Award (won)

2018 Soul Certified Award (won)

NAACP AWARDS

2012 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2015 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2018 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2018 Best Traditional song - High (Nominated)

2018 Best Visual - High (Nominated)

Honors/Special Awards

2016, NAACP Awards Theatre - Spirit Award Honoree

2016, America For The Arts - Music Honoree

Tours

Pieces of Me Tour (2011)

B.G.T.Y. Tour (2012)

The Truth Tour (2014)

The Intimate Truth Tour (2015)

The Rebel The Soul The Saint Tour (2017)

Let Love Rule Tour (2018)

Ledisi Live UK Tour (2019)

Filmography

2008: Leatherheads (as the Blues Singer)

2011: Leave It on the Floor (as Princess' Mother)

2014: Selma (as Mahalia Jackson)

2016: The Tale Of Four (Short Film) (as Aunt Sara)

2020: American Soul (as Patti LaBelle) (season 2, upcoming)

[kaneowldust]

Report 10: Dragonspyre-Riders of Drakes or Race to Malistaire

Report 10: Dragonspyre-Riders of Drakes or Race to the Crown of Fire

Ah Dragonspyre, how many many MANY hours have I wasted in your realm once upon a time. How many times I’ve farmed Malistaire and others to get the best Death Class gear available. Oh the days when you has to scrounge the forums and the commons to get four players to join in farming the final boss for his coat. So many…many…hours. And how it would take one to two hours to beat the final level and trust me, when you are farming, it is a real pain in the butt. Heck there was not even as much incentive outside the badges to complete all the side quests because of the Level 50 Max cap and pretty much wasting potential experience points. And the fact we could not get the actual coat is a bit of a bummer. Maybe it is available somewhere else if anyone comments on these, but as far as I know that is not the case.

So the story for the final section is pretty straight forward. You need to find a way to get to the Great Spyre and to do that, you are going to need a Drake. However, getting a Drake is not going to be easy. First you need a Dragon Rider’s staff which makes you backtrack through the previous worlds and beat the bosses again in order to get the chests. Then you have to get a crystal headpiece. And finally raising a Drake from an egg and armoring it up so it can fly you to the top. Again, much like the previous levels, the DragonSpyre Academy section has its own story and builds upon the history of this devastated world; something is memory serves I never really felt from Celestia (but we’ll know better when we get there).

From here we learn about the relationship between humans and the drakes (which are smaller versions of dragons and are said to be a lot more docile than their counterparts). You got a hint of this in the Drake Hatchery area and now it’s your turn to learn and take to the skies on one. I do like the fact that a lot of the ghosts are more than willing to pass on their knowledge or are still fighting the titan army in their own ways. Still if there is something that I’ve felt was a bit off a loss was that aside from the first level we never really get to see things from the Draconian’s point of view. There isn’t much we know about them outside of them being destroyers. Some hints that they did try to emulate some of the things like armor and magic. And what of Ivan Soulsinger? What was his purpose? Like okay, he’s enthralling Drakes, but why. At least with other bosses Vika Markmarker, Vesta Shadowmark, and Yeva Spiderkeeper even with what minimal dialogue we do get from them, we can figure out their motivations. But Ivan? He says he wants to borrow our bodies and turn the Drake ghosts into stone monsters. Honestly this is the only side quest in Dragonspyre that doesn’t feel like it really gives anything-no history, no world building, nothing. But it’s really only one in this level unlike the many that were in Marleybone. And thankfully, it’s a fairly short chain of side quests that don’t take too long.

I will have to admit that this area was one of the most frustrating for me. A lot of the enemies and bosses you had to fight were either Ice school or readily used that accursed Ice Shield. And for a school that doesn’t hit as hard as other classes that can be really frustrating. Not to mention capping it off with that -25% ward that enemies like to use a lot. Granted it’s been over seven years but I don’t remember them using this ward as often if at all. I get it you want to make levels harder, but by gods this constant debuffing made thigs difficult and more infuriating than fun or strategic. This can be really difficult for a solo player and some of the dungeon areas are very tedious without a second player.

Also you have to have at least a second player joining you for the Malistaire fight since there are a lot of triple enemy fights you need to get through in order to reach the top. Plus there is an area where you have to beat both sets of enemies within a short amount of time. And as Level 50 capped players you had to get a team of four together in order to complete this. Now I wasn’t there for the original Malistare fight at least when you fought both Malistaire and Sylvia at the same time. Plus his health was 100,000 and he used a lot more cheats back then. He seems a bit nerfed in here now. Or it could have been I was with two level 60 players who had a lot more attack power than yours truly. Trust me, this used to be a real pain to pass.

Also this was before Celesta was even brought up online and Grizzlehiem had just come to the surface. So it would make sense for Dragonspyre and its final boss to be the toughest thing out there. I think they might have made him a bit easier as to make the boss curve a little easier when adding new worlds. I mean we’re at what HOW many levels now? On a side note, I am impressed with the cutscene that they added after the big 10 year update was pretty neat. I wonder if we’re going to see this in future levels. Perhaps not because that is a lot of work.

So at last we have completed the original worlds and on to the added worlds. Take to the sky my friends!

[areidae]

quests

******************************************************************** ♥UNKNOWN:

Quest:Strange Frequencies Talk to Blad Raveneye in Triton Avenue Use Resonating Omni Audio-Graph at the Four Falls Mill Talk to Blad Raveneye Talk to Halston Balestrom in Ravenwood

Quest:Meet the New Boss (Dragonspyre) Defeat Vesta Shadowmark (in her Tower) Talk to Darkstone

Quest:Scrying Time Go to the Wizard Tower (sigil says Draconian Tower) Go to (Retrieve) the Scrying Lens Talk to Darkstone

Quest:The Death-Maker Go to the Abandoned Tower (sigil says Draconian Tower) Defeat Reanimated Draconians Talk to Darkstone

Quest:Draconians Go Home Defeat 5 Undead Draconians Talk to Darkstone

Quest:Corrupted Crawlers Defeat Yeva Spiderkeeper (in Yeva Spiderkeeper's Tower) Talk to Kozel Toothtamer

Quest:Grove of the Spiders Defeat North Grove Spiders and Collect 3 Samples Talk to Kozel Toothtamer

Quest:Eight-Legged Queen Defeat Crystalline Queen in Firewing Tower Talk to Kozel Toothtamer

Quest:Spider Hunt Defeat 4 South Grove Spiders Talk to Kozel Toothtamer

Quest:Clutch of the Spider Destroy 8 Spider Egg Clutches Talk to Kozel Toothtamer

Quest:Piper of Dragonspyre Go to the Central Platform Defeat Vika Markmaker (This frees Cinder) Talk to Zarek Pickmaster

Quest:When the Whistle Blows Go to (Enter) Crystal Tower (Dragonspyre) Go to (Enter) Spider Hive Go to (Enter) Spider's Lair Talk To Zarek Pickmaster

Quest:Whistle-Stop Tour Get Whistle (in Emberlight's Tower) Talk to Zarek Pickmaster

Quest:She's a Little Runaway Go to (Locate) Missing Pet Talk to Zarek Pickmaster

Quest:Shine a Light Use (Light) 6 Mana Lamps Talk to Narissa Wyrmscale

Quest:Spark of Mana Defeat Horned Barbarian and Collect 3 Mana Sparks Talk to Narissa Wyrmscale

Quest:Charmed to Meet You Defeat Ivan Soulsinger (in Flamewind Tower) Talk to Sunbrand

Quest:Cry Freedom Defeat Giant Homunculus in Homunculus' Tower Talk to Sunbrand

Quest:Soul Winger Defeat Avalanche in Skythorn Tower Talk to Sunbrand

Quest:The Vault of Fire Talk to Vasek Ashweaver Defeat General Firetusk

Quest:Back to the Beginning Talk to Vasek Ashweaver Repair or Lock Southwest Bridge South Bridge East Bridge Vault 1936 Vault 1941 Vault 1938 Vault 1939 Talk to Vasek Ashweaver

Quest:Lose the Key Locate Top Level (of Kyanite Tower) Talk to Zelen Battlehorn

Quest:Puzzle Pilots Place Crystal Box Place Puzzle Box Place Lock Box Talk to Zelen Battlehorn

Quest:Puzzle Me This Defeat Undead Wizards and Collect 4 Vile Essences Talk to Zelen Battlehorn

Quest:Guards! Guards! Defeat 3 Silver Servants Talk to Zelen Battlehorn

Quest:Three Lock Box Talk to Belia Windgazer Use Lock Box in the Unused Vault Talk to Zelen Battlehorn

Quest:Spiral Crystal Defeat Flamebringer and Collect Spiral Crystal Talk to Zelen Battlehorn

Quest:Stop the Advance Defeat Bosses: Firevein Tamris

Quest:Sly Writing Find Battle Plans Talk to Rendor Dawnbringer

Quest:A Cage of Orbs Destroy: Orb Orb Orb Defeat Blackblade

Quest:The Knowledge Keeper Go to the Knowledge Keeper's Tower

Quest:Wish I Was a Locksmith... Defeat Vilara Moonwraith

Quest:Take Note Defeat Pirate Ravagers and Collect Note Talk to Katalin Nightseeker ******************************************************************** ♥STACKABLE:

Quest:General Panic Defeat General Greystone in Greystone's Castle Talk to Rendor Dawnbringer ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Quest:Master Blaster Defeat 4 Draconians (Veteran Terrorwings and Terrorwing Infiltrators) MAYBE!!!!! Quest:Save the Drakes Defeat 4 Terrorwing Enforcers Talk to Sunbrand ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ******************************************************************** ♥NO STACKING:

[ghostcond]

doodle page of the au i made that is completely self indulgent and for myself (i wanted him to go to therapy)

i talked about how fucked up it was that he was just Out There once in this post if you want to read it....... so yeah

[ghostcond]

noodles of wizards (again)

[ghostcond]

doodles while i continue to figure out csp

[ghostcond]

i live in a happy world where after he gets impromptu exorcised by the wizard, ivan returns to his own body, regains the trust of the drake and eventually becomes an exchange student at ravenwood

[ghostcond]

the thing about ivan soulsinger is that during the quests where you find out that he is kidnapping the drakes, it seems to imply that he is not himself in a way. his only dialogue implies possession of some sort as he says things like "the flesh is weak" and mentions taking residence in your body. whoever or whatever is talking to you isn't the real ivan, and the real ivan might be trapped in another body somewhere since he also taunts you by saying he'll come visit you once he's taken your body. to me, this implied that you'd swap places, and you'd be stuck in ivan's body while whoever the possessor is would take yours. what would he even intend to do once he had your body and those drakes? what did he intend to do with the drakes in the first place?? and this conflict never gets resolved. upon defeat, ivan doesn't say anything. you never find out where the real ivan is or what happens to whatever is possessing him, and the real ivan's relationship with the drakes is now tarnished by this thing acting as him. if the possesor was defeated, would ivan have gotten his body back? what would happen to him afterwards, as the one of the only other living people in dragonspyre and presumably a Student? would he be able to repair his relationship with drakes after what the possessor did to them in his body? there might be a kind boy who was just befriending drakes out there, waking up to a literal ghost town years after the fact. if he even survived the impromptu exorcism. if he even got his body back after all that. and you just never get a definite answer to any of that

sorry if this is kinda lame to read. erm i just think he's kinda neat and i am gonna stare at him for a really long time

[ghostcond]

i have things to say about ivan soulsinger

[blackkudos]

Ledisi

Ledisi Anibade Young (/ˈlɛdᵻsiː/; born March 28, 1972) is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Along with her group, Anibade, Ledisi released an album titled Take Time. The album gained major airplay from local radio stations. She is a nine-time Grammy Award nominee.

In 2000, Ledisi released her first album, titled Soulsinger: The Revival. Ledisi and her group toured in 2001, performing various shows. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue. The album won her an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.

In 2007, Ledisi signed a major record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album in August of that year, titled Lost & Found, which sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas.

In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose, which earned her two Grammy nominations, followed by her fifth album Pieces of Me (2011) which debuted in the top ten of the US Billboard 200 album chart at number eight, becoming her first top-ten album of her career and her highest-charting album to date. It also garnered three Grammy nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards including for Best R&B Album. In 2013, she received a nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards for her collaboration with fellow R&B and jazz musician Robert Glasper for the album cut "Gonna Be Alright" off of his Grammy Award-winning fifth album Black Radio (2012). In 2014, she released her sixth album The Truth to critical acclaim and moderate sales. She portrayed legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the Martin Luther King, Jr. 2014 biopic, Selma.

Early life

Ledisi was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She grew up in a musical family; her mother, Nyra Dynese, sang in a Louisiana R&B band and her stepfather, Joseph Pierce III, (deceased) was a drummer in the New Orleans area. Her biological father is soul singer Larry Sanders, the son of blues singer Johnny Ace. He left the family when she was a baby and they did not meet again for nearly three decades.

Ledisi first began performing publicly at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. Ledisi moved to Oakland, California, where she attended McChesney Junior High School, now Edna Brewer Middle School, where she was shy about her singing abilities. She would sing only upon request when students in her gym class would implore her to sing Deniece Williams' version of Black Butterfly, bringing the entire locker room audience under the spell of her very mature, melodious voice. As she sang more publicly her music career blossomed. She was nominated for a Shellie award in 1990 for her performance in a production of The Wiz and performed in an extended run with the San Francisco cabaret troupe, Beach Blanket Babylon. She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program.

Musical career

1995–1999: Career beginnings

In the 1990s, Ledisi formed a group called Anibade, alongside Sundra Manning (producer, keyboards, songwriting), Phoenix (LaGerald) Normand (background vocals, songwriting), Cedrickke Dennis (guitar), Nelson Braxton (bass), Wayne Braxton (sax), and Rob Rhodes (drums), playing a jazz and hip-hop influenced kind of soul. The group won acclaim in the Bay Area with a cult-like following of die-hard fans who referred to themselves as "Ledites" and meet her with love at every event, singing along verbatim to songs that though unrecorded at the time, were well known by their fans. The group later recorded a demo of one of the songs from their set, entitled, "Take Time" which was played on local stations and requested non-stop. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck. Ledisi also performed often with jazz saxophone giant Robert Stewart throughout the early 1990's in San Francisco.

2000–2003: 

Soulsinger: The Revival and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue

In January 2000, Ledisi released her first album, Soulsinger: The Revival, independently on her label, LeSun Records. The album spun off four singles, "Soulsinger", "Take Time", "Get Outta My Kitchen", and "Good Lovin'". After the release of Soulsinger: The Revival, Ledisi toured with her group Anibade.

In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which was also released independently. The album featured the singles "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue" and "Autumn Leaves". During this time she also recorded commercials for the Sci Fi Channel. In 2003, Ledisi won "Outstanding Jazz Album" for Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue at the California Music Awards.

2006–2008: Lost & Found

During her five-year hiatus, Ledisi made appearances on soundtracks. In 2007, she signed with Verve and released "Blues in the Night" which featured on the tribute album, We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song.

In August 2007, Ledisi's third album, Lost & Found, was released. During her hiatus, Ledisi stated that she was unsure of wanting to stay in the music industry. In response, Ledisi wrote the song "Alright" to express her life. "Alright" became the lead single and debuted at #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. The album's second single, "In The Morning", debuted at #49 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. Other songs from the album charted but were not released as singles. "Think of You" charted at #71 on the Hot R&B charts, "Joy" charted at #103 on the Hot R&B charts and #29 on the Adult R&B Airplay.

In December 2007, the album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found. By January 2009, the album had sold 216,894 copies.

In September 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, It's Christmas, which featured the singles "This Christmas" and "Children Go Where I Send Thee". In December 2008, Ledisi's T.V. special aired on Gospel Channel, titled "Ledisi Christmas". Ledisi performed a few songs from her Christmas album. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Give Love On Christmas Day" charted on the Hot R&B charts at #113.

In 2008 Ledisi performed the song "The Man I Love" as a blues singer in the Leatherheads movie.

2009–2010: Turn Me Loose

In 2009, Ledisi's fourth studio album was announced to be titled, Turn Me Loose. The album was released on August 18, 2009. Speaking in April 2010 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis – Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul – Ledisi explained the album's title reflected its musical diversity: "The title 'Turn Me Loose' is basically me saying 'I don't wanna be boxed in! Let me be myself as a performer and singer, because I do EVERYTHING! Not just one particular style!'." She employed production from seasoned Rhythm and Blues songwriter-producers such as Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright and Carvin & Ivan. The first single from the album was "Goin' Thru Changes". The second single was chosen to be "Higher Than This", produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and James "Big Jim" Wright.

On May 13, 2010, Ledisi performed at Charter Oak Cultural Center's 9th Annual Gala, a fundraiser for free after-school youth arts programming in inner-city Hartford. She performed several songs from Turn Me Loose, and also performed a duet with Anika Noni Rose, a tribute to the late Lena Horne.

2011–2012: Pieces of Me

Ledisi toured with R&B/soul singer Kem on his North American INTIMACY Tour. On March 10, 2011, during her opening act in Atlanta, Georgia, Ledisi announced that she had finished recording her fifth studio album, Pieces of Me, on March 9, 2011. It was released on June 14, 2011. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 38,000 copies in its first week. The album's title track served as the album's lead single.

Ledisi has performed at the White House seven times at the request of President and First Lady Obama.

Ledisi headlined her first tour to promote her album, Pieces of Me. The Pieces of Me Tour played to 22 sold out shows across North America. With this album, she received three nominations for the 2012 Grammy Awards, in the categories Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song, for the album and the lead single "Pieces of Me".

Ledisi will release her first book, Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power on Time Home Entertainment, Inc. in 2012. The book, an innovative collaboration with ESSENCE, is filled with the singer's personal photos, quotes, lyrics and richly detailed stories of the Grammy nominee's journey to acceptance of her beauty, talent and power.

On April 6, 2012, Ledisi announced her second headlining tour, B.G.T.Y., with Eric Benet serving as an opening act. In December 2012, VH1 announced that Ledisi would perform at their 2012 VH1 Divas show, a concert benefiting the Save The Music Foundation charity. Ledisi performed a Whitney Houston tribute medley with Jordin Sparks and Melanie Fiona.

2014–present: The Truth

On March 2014, Ledisi released her new album The Truth. She is also on tour with Robert Glasper in partnership the magazine "Essence" (which featured her on one of their three April covers as well as Erykah Badu and Solange Knowles).

In April 2014, Ledisi was cast to play Mahalia Jackson in the American historical drama film, Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb and DuVernay. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, and Martin Luther King, Jr. In the film and on the official film soundtrack, Ledisi sings "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". Initially slated to perform at the 57th Grammy Awards as part of a tribute to the Selma March alongside Common and John Legend (who performed their Oscar-winning duet "Glory") she was ultimately snubbed by the Recording Academy and recording artist Beyoncé, who performed in her place. Ledisi's snubbing and Beyoncé's performance received mixed reaction from social media. In 2015, she received her ninth Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance for the single "Like This" off of her seventh album The Truth. She lost to Beyoncé and Jay Z for "Drunk in Love".

Ledisi is currently working on her eighth studio album to be released in 2017.

Discography

Studio albums

Soulsinger: The Revival (2000)

Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (2002)

Lost & Found (2007)

It's Christmas (2008)

Turn Me Loose (2009)

Pieces of Me (2011)

The Truth (2014)

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Ledisi has been nominated for nine career Grammy Awards.

BET Awards

BETJ Virtual Awards

California Music Awards

2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (Nominated)

2008, Female Artist of the Year (Nominated)

2003, Outstanding Jazz Album, Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (Won)

Soul Train Music Awards

2011, Centric Award (nominated)

2009, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (nominated)

2014, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (Nominated)

NAACP AWARDS

2012 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

2015 Best Female Artist (Nominated)

Honors/Special Awards

2016, NAACP Awards Theatre - Spirit Award Honoree

2016, America For The Arts - Music Honoree

Tours

Pieces of Me Tour (2011)

B.G.T.Y. Tour (2012)

The Truth Tour (2014)

The Intimate Truth Tour (2015)

Filmography

2008: Leatherheads (as the Blues Singer)

2011: Leave It on the Floor (as Princess' Mother)

2014: Selma (as Mahalia Jackson)

Wikipedia