For years, Ledisi has serenaded fans with a voice that is as refreshing as it is soulful.
Now, the eight-time Grammy-nominated singer is back and ready to prove – yet again – why she’s one of R&B’s beloved artists.
The Truth is the title of her newly released album and it echos the soul singer’s mission in being open and honest in every aspect of its creation.
The songstress has even put on her dancing shoes and is showing off her new moves — and flattering physique — in some of her latest work.
The tempo is more upbeat but the songs are heavily laced with inspiring lyrics that carry the depth Ledisi is known to deliver.
In an interview with theGrio’s Lilly Workneh, Ledisi shares more details about her new album and the message she hopes it sends.
“I’m known for ballads and singing but [with] this album I wanted to sing and talk about love still but I wanted it more uptempo,” Ledisi told theGrio. “I love the messages about love, it’s all about me, my relationships that I’ve encountered, it’s very open and honest, it’s like audio-journaling.”
Ledisi describes the album as an authentic reflection of some of the encounters she’s experienced in life, love and relationships. It marks a different chapter, one in which she says is more focused on her personal growth and mission to improve all aspects of her life.
Along with those changes comes a new, slim and trim frame after the vocalist revealed she shed pounds after she becoming motivated to live a healthier lifestyle.
“I let go of a big relationship and it forced me to start doing a bucket list of things that I wanted to do and really pour into me, usually I’m pouring into everybody,” Ledisi said. “So this time I wanted to do an exercise that was fun, I love heels, I love hi-hop so I took a hip-hop and heels class.”
The new music video for her first single “I Blame You” features the soul singer showing off her dancing chops in sky-high stilettos – proving that she can master the moves and can do so with style and confidence.
“It wasn’t just about the movement, it was about you feeling good about you, it was great,” she shared. “It made me feel better, it made me want to get a nutritionist, it made me want to look in the mirror more and pick myself up. So that’s what you see, a new regimen and loving on me.”
Ledisi has built an impressive resume of work that has solidified her as one of the genre’s most talented singers. Her lyrics shed light on love and relationships and along the way, the songstress has shared her experiences in these areas of life and the many lessons she’s learned from them.
However, the most profound takeaway the singer says she has absorbed over the years is to never accept less than you think you deserve.
“I want the best. I want all your best, if I’m giving you the best of me, I want the best of you,” she said. “My rule is: What are you bringing to the table that empowers me and uplifts me? Usually, we settle just because we don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to do that ever again. Never settle.”
Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works