Ledisi Anibade Young, known professionally as Ledisi, is an acclaimed American R&B singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana. Born on March 28, 1972, her name translates to "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba, a reflection of her deep cultural roots. Over the years, Ledisi has earned recognition for her powerful vocal abilities and emotionally resonant songwriting, establishing herself as a significant figure in the contemporary music scene.

Ledisi's musical journey began in the mid-1990s when she formed a band named after her middle name, Anibade, after facing challenges in securing a record deal with major labels. In 1995, she co-founded LeSun Music with musician Sundra Manning. Her debut album, "Soulsinger," released in 2000, featured the single "Take Time," which garnered considerable airplay from San Francisco radio stations. This initial success set the stage for her subsequent projects, including her sophomore album, "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue," which won "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards in 2003.

In 2006, Ledisi signed a record deal with Verve Forecast and released her breakthrough album, "Lost & Found," in 2007. The album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist, solidifying her status in the music industry. Following the success of "Lost & Found," she released several more albums under Verve, including "It's Christmas" (2008), "Turn Me Loose" (2009), "Pieces of Me" (2011), "The Truth" (2014), "The Intimate Truth" (2015), and "Let Love Rule" (2017).

In 2020, Ledisi took a significant step in her career by launching her own record label, Listen Back Entertainment. Under this label, she released "The Wild Card," which featured the Grammy-winning single "Anything for You," awarded for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. She continued to expand her discography with subsequent releases, including "Ledisi Live at The Troubadour" (2021), "Ledisi Sings Nina" (2021), "Good Life" (2024), and "The Crown" (2025), showcasing her versatility and commitment to her craft.

Beyond her music career, Ledisi has made notable strides in film and television. She portrayed the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in both Selma (2014) and Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022), earning acclaim for her performances. In addition to these roles, she made guest appearances as Patti LaBelle in the BET docudrama American Soul and as a choir member in the FX drama Pose (both in 2020). Her filmography also includes a co-starring role as Gladys Knight in the biopic Spinning Gold (2023) and her debut in a Hallmark original movie, All Saints Christmas (2022).

Ledisi continues to inspire audiences with her exceptional talent and dedication to her art, making her a beloved figure in the realms of both music and acting.