Growing up, Ledisi was heavily influenced by many soulful music icons, one in particular being Dr. Nina Simone. Ledisi finally completed and released her dream project on her label titled Ledisi Sings Nina, with the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra conducted by Adonis Rose. The album also features vocalists Lizz Wright, Lisa Fischer, and Alice Smith.

In November 2021, the powerhouse performer received her 14th Grammy nomination, for Ledisi Sings Nina, in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Ledisi has been nominated for 14 Grammys (one for Best New Artist) and garnered three Soul Train Music Awards, 19 NAACP Image Award nominations, an NAACP Theatre Award, and  an NAACP nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for her role as Mahalia Jackson in Remember Me. Ledisi has also received two L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award nominations, one for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Ledisi has wowed fans with her unparalleled vocals. She has truly earned a place in the pantheon of the greatest singers of her generation. Ledisi is a favorite of the Obamas and a long list of icons including Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and the late Prince and Natalie Cole. She has headlined four nationally sold-out tours and performed alongside Dave Matthews, Gary Clark Jr., Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, and Maxwell, as well as jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, and Patti Austin.

Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, CA, Ledisi is a passionate advocate for the arts, lobbying for young musicians and protecting the rights of creatives. In 2022, she was the first Artist in Residence at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. She is also the second woman of color to have been president of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles chapter. She continues to focus her efforts on increasing and giving voice to diversity in everything she does.

She wrote and released her first book, Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power, as a collaboration with Essence magazine. Her latest book, Don’t Ever Lose Your Walk: How to Embrace Your Journey, was released through her company Chinweya Publishing.

When you speak of women in entertainment, Ledisi has brazenly put herself square at the head of the conversation. “I am finally owning my lane as a creative, while understanding what it means to be me…. Ledisi, a black woman, a wife, a bonus mom, a daughter, a sister, a professional storyteller, a passionate advocate, and a stronger businesswoman. All of this...feels like many things. But it feels good.”