Leela James

Born on 22 May 1983 in Los Angeles, California, R&B star Leela James has been outspoken in her criticisms of the lyrical content of many modern R&B and hip-hop songs, condemning the genre's obsession with material possessions and lack of respect for women. It's a topic she highlighted in the song "Music" lifted from her debut album A Change Is Gonna Come, which was released in 2005. She errs towards the classic, punchier style of soul singing reminiscent of some of the famed Black singers of the 1960s. Her refreshingly old-school vocal delivery has drawn comparisons with R&B icons such as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner and she built an American fanbase from touring as well as appearances at jazz events and more conventional music festivals. She bundled a slew of 1960s and 1970s covers into her second studio album Let's Do It Again, released in 2009, with the follow-up My Soul arriving in 2010. A tribute to the legendary Etta James came next, Loving You More... In the Spirit of Etta James, released in 2012. Fifth LP Fall for You saw her break into the Billboard charts with album single "Set Me Free" giving her her highest-charting release, reaching number seven on the US R&B charts; her only top ten record to date. The LP itself went to number 12 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 69 on the Billboard 200 chart. She kept up the momentum on her sixth studio album Did It for Love, which rose to number 30 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and reached number 72 on the Billboard 200 and released her seventh album, See Me, in 2021. A new single, "Right Back in It," appeared in 2023.