„Изкуството ми лекува“: Ledisi и пътят към „Грами“

"My art heals me": Ledisi and the road to the Grammys''

Номинирана за The Crown и „Love You Too“, Ledisi говори за сцената, която променя живот

Nominated for The Crown and "Love You Too," Ledisi talks about the scene that changed her life

 

 

 

Laruicci mini dress and trenchcoat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laruicci trenchcoat and necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 Grammy Nominations

Congratulations on your two Grammy nominations this year — Best R&B Album for The Crown and Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Love You Too.” What was your immediate reaction when you found out? 

My longtime collaborator/producer Rex Rideout called to tell me I’d received two nominations. If I remember correctly, I might’ve screamed “Whaat?!” I probably cussed a little, and immediately thereafter began to thank God. Lol! The feeling around it is still the same as the first time I was nominated…immense gratitude. 

At this stage in your career, what do these particular nominations mean to you personally and artistically? To garner Grammy attention? 

I immediately thought of the village of people who helped me get here. I’ve been nominated a total of 16 times. I won my first Grammy during the most challenging time in the world during the 2020 pandemic. My Art heals people. I don’t take any acknowledgement for granted. I don’t do music for trophies. Still, it’s a beautiful thing that my peers included me among the best. So many of my peers and our Greats have never been nominated. It will, however, never diminish their great work. I am very blessed and honored to be where I am in my career today.

Career & Music Journey

Your first big break didn’t come via a major label — what kept you motivated during those early independent years? 

Faith. A lot of prayer and owning my craft. Looking back, I have always believed that my presence and voice are enough to solidify my place as one of the greatest storytellers in this world. My mother poured that dream… her dream… into my heart. Here I am, on a journey, hoping to leave behind a legacy of music that will make my parents proud.

Looking back, how do you feel the music industry has changed since you released Soulsinger in 2000? 

The music industry is still centered on the business of music, and it thrives on artists' creativity and presence. The most challenging aspect for creatives in 2026 is how to profit from our art within today’s modern technology. The corporate platforms that distribute music dominate our audiences, who listen to and buy our music. The profits from this modern structure are grossly imbalanced. In 2000, creatives profited more from their art when it was distributed in physical form on Vinyl or CDs. I survive because I have built my career around my live performances.

Another part of the industry that has changed is how easily today’s artists pivot. They don’t conform to one thing. This was not widely accepted when I started in this industry.  This concept is slowly changing the business of music, and platforms are being created to support more diverse artistry. That is why I can sing and create across many genres. Artists like me, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, PJ Morton, Jon Batiste can simply… BE.

Lastly, the need to be seen on social media has changed how we listen to music. We listen with our eyes first, rather than our ears, most of the time. In 2000, being one of the lucky ones to be in at a D’Angelo concert (I opened for him. His first concert in SF) with human interaction, actually talking or dancing with one another, was the best! Word of mouth built my career. That was our social media. We saw history being made.

You’ve traversed R&B, soul, jazz, traditional pop and more — how do you decide what genre or sound to explore next?

When it comes to choosing music, I don’t choose it…it chooses me. I am the kind of songbird that has to be passionate about my music and believe in it before I can convince the world to do so. The first song I sang to the public was “Black Butterfly” by Denice Williams. I was 13 years old singing that song. It has the same meaning for me today as it did when I first sang

Creative Process & Inspiration

Your name Ledisi in Yoruba means “to bring forth” or “to come here.” How do you feel that meaning resonates with your life and music? 

Mmmmm.. In life, Ledisi is human. I am strong, clumsy, and fragile. I daydream a lot, and I love looking at the sky while asking a whole bunch of questions that start with “Why?” Ledisi the Artist works her ass off. I make moments. I have made many moments. I bring forth. I’m grateful to be chosen to carry this fragile, little gift God has blessed me with. I will always give my all to ensure the world knows the great work that is associated with my name Ledisi.

What is your songwriting process like — do you start with melody, lyrics, or emotion first?

It happens in many ways. Sometimes the melody comes with the emotion. Sometimes everything happens all at once. The lyrics are always last for me. 

On The Crown, themes of confidence and legacy are evident. Can you talk about the personal experiences that influenced those themes? 

I wanted to sonically and publicly express my position in this world and sing about a full life. I am created by something greater than myself, and I’m born for this, and I LOVE love. I will always sing about love. Saying all of this openly empowered me. I did the Crown for me. It was supposed to be a goodbye for a while. Then it became Grammy-nominated. I guess that’s a sign to stick around a bit longer. I hope others can see themselves in my Art. We all should be vessels of inspiration. It’s a huge responsibility to walk with intention and purpose.

On Voice, Performance & Live Shows

Your vocal style is often described as powerful, versatile, and deeply expressive — how do you care for and protect your voice?

Honestly, the best thing for me is sleep. The reality is that with everything I do, I never get enough sleep. Hydration also helps. Sleep works every time.

Of all the stages you’ve performed on, which stands out as the most transformative and why?

Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, Hollywood Bowl…I can go on and on. I mean, picking one is blasphemy. (Laughing) I played in the backyard of a castle one summer in Europe, and it was one of the best gigs. I love when life gives me curveballs.

How did performing Lift Every Voice and Sing at Super Bowl LIX impact you personally and artistically? 

See! There’s another moment. (laughing) Honestly, I’m still processing this. I’m still….trying to find the words. I don’t know what to say about it now that I’m outside of it. It happened. It was perfect in every way. My outfit told the story before my voice did. (laughing) That moment changed my life forever. It was great to make history at home in New Orleans.

Big Picture & Legacy

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice at the start of your career, what would it be?

Whew! This is a loaded question. I would say to little me: You’re beautiful. Don’t listen to anything else. Your instincts are spot on. Don’t hold it in...go ahead and cuss their ass out! Your heart will be broken by so many…. You will survive. Don’t waste time trying to figure out how to leave this world. The world needs you. They just don’t know it yet. Leap sooner because everyone can’t go where you’re going.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music 10 years from now?

She was resilient, timeless, a class act, loved God, cussed a lot, and was one of the greatest storytellers in the world.

You wear many hats — singer, songwriter, producer, author, educator — which role feels most like you and why?

I love being a dreamer. Only a dreamer can wear so many hats while executing extraordinarily innovative things.

Creative

Imagine you could have dinner with any three musicians — living or passed — who would you choose and what would you ask them?

I would ask Luther Vandross about his childhood and advice about singing. I would ask Dinah Washington about love and her time dealing with music executives. I would ask Jeff Buckley about Nina Simone and what he learned about himself singing at the little bar when nobody knew who he was.

Which fictional soundtrack — whether a movie, book, or play — would you most love to compose for?

Of course, I would love to compose and portray anything related to LaBelle. That’s my favorite female group. They are Rockstars…and the FASHION!!!

If a young artist comes to you in doubt, what lyric of yours would you share to inspire them?

“Life can bring us through many changes…it’s alright. Just don’t give up, know that it’s gonna be alright.” - from Ledisi’s Alright.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://glamour.bg/moda/ledisi?img_id=80011

 

 

 

 

 

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