After captivating many of our hearts with beautiful albums and inspiring tunes like “Alright” and “Higher Than This”, Ledisi dropped her latest album Pieces of Me and is getting ready to headline her very own US tour. Since the beginning of her 16 year career, she has released two albums before joining forces with a major label, performed at one of President Barack Obama’s birthday celebrations, received four Grammy nominations and has performed during many tributes including the 2009 Soul Train Awards Icon Tribute to Chaka Khan.
With her US tour starting later this month, CONCRETELOOP.COM had the opportunity to briefly sit down with the soul singer and talk about her journey, who she admires most musically as well as what we can expect from her upcoming performances.
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Concreteloop: What was your first reaction when you heard that you’d be performing for President Barack Obama?
Ledisi: I was really shocked. I was excited at the same time. I was able to bring my entire band and perform a couple of song. There was a room full of people. They were awesome! And he loved it! So I’m happy. I’m very happy about that. 
Concreteloop: How do you feel about people telling you how you should look or what you should sing as an artist?
Ledisi: This journey has not been easy. It’s been rough, but I’m not going to change to fit what you want. I have to be me or it won’t work. And if it sounds stupid or looks stupid, it won’t be natural like, ‘That was great, Led. Next!’ (laughs) That’s why I’m able to sing. People can relate. What you see now is what you’ll see on stage just with more make-up, a nicer outfit and some heels.
Concreteloop: How long did it take you to complete your album?
Ledisi: It took 8 months to start writing and six months to finish. The last two songs were “Pieces of Me” and “BGTY (Be Good to Yourself)”. All the writers were really important. I opened up to different writers which was fun. John [Legend] gave me a song. I worked with Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony and myself, we wrote “Pieces of Me”. “Shine” was Johnny BLK, Claude Kelly & myself. Salaam Remi and I wrote “BGTY”…John Legend…Rex Rideout, who I’ve worked with on all my albums. KayGee (of Naughty by Nature) and Buelah were on the track “Coffee”. Continue
