Leela James
(born June 2, 1983 in Los Angeles, California) [1] [2] is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. James cites legendary singers James Brown, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, and Stevie Wonder as her influences. Her deep, rich, gritty vocals have drawn comparisons to Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Tina Turner.
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LEELA JAMES TICKETS
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Biography
James' debut album, entitled
A Change Is Gonna Come
, was released on June 21, 2005. The album was conceived as a throwback to an earlier era of American soul music, building upon the legacy of 1960s and 1970s soul singers while incorporating elements of
contemporary R&B,
funk, and
gospel.
In the lyrics to the album's lead single, entitled "Music", James laments the current state of contemporary
popular music. She condemns the glorification of
materialism and
misogyny that has often been attributed to the lyrical content of contemporary R&B and
hip hop songs while pleading for the return of the artistry, dedication, and sincerity displayed by musicians of earlier decades.
James co-wrote most of the tracks on her debut album, two exceptions being her
covers of the
pop rock band
No Doubt's 1996 hit "
Don't Speak" and the
classic title song by
Sam Cooke, for which the album is named. Notable collaborators on the album include
Raphael Saadiq of the 1990s R&B group
Tony! Toni! Toné!,
Kanye West, and former
Fugees member
Wyclef Jean.
In 2004, James toured as an opening act for the
Black Eyed Peas and
Macy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emcee
Pete Rock's album
Soul Survivor II
, providing vocals to the track "No Tears". In 2005, she lent her voice to the posthumously released
Ray Charles album
Genius & Friends
, duetting with the singer on the song "Compared to What". Leela also guested on
Robert Randolph and the Family Band's 2006 album
Colorblind
, lending her vocals to "Stronger".
After parting ways with
Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label
Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-
cover set entitled
Let's Do It Again
(the title being a homage to the
1975 soundtrack album of the same name by
The Staple Singers).
In June 2009, she appeared on Moby's new album "Wait for Me", performing the vocal on "Walk with Me".
Discography
Albums
Year
| Album
| Chart positions
|
U.S.
| U.S. R&B
| FRA
| NL
| BEL
| SWE
|
2005
| A Change Is Gonna Come
| 148
| 42
| 97
| 26
| 43
| 52
|
2009
| Let's Do It Again
| 84
| 11
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
Singles
Year
| Single
| Chart positions
| Album
|
U.S. R&B
| U.S. adult R&B
| U.S. dance
|
2005
| "Music"
| 121
|
| 33
| A Change Is Gonna Come
|
"Don't Speak"
| —
| —
| —
|
2006
| "Good Time"
| 54 1
| —
| 33
|
"My Joy"
| 109
| 27
| —
|
2007
| "When You Love Somebody"
| —
| —
| —
|
2008
| "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
| —
| —
| —
| Let's Do It Again
|
1 Position refers to the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
Awards and nominations
Year
| Award
| Category
| Nominated work
| Result
|
2008
| Soul Train Music Award [3]
| Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
| "Music"
| Nominated
|
NAACP Image Award
| Outstanding New Artist
| Leela James
| Nominated
|
References
- Profile: Leela James
- New York Leela James@S.O.B.'s – Events
- R. Kelly earns leading three Soul Train music award nominations