GRAMMY-winning singer Ledisi is back with two powerful new singles, BLKWMN, honouring the legacy of Black women and Love You Too, both destined to become modern classics. Rooted in the rich tradition of American rhythm and blues, these tracks showcase Ledisi’s unmatched vocal prowess and storytelling ability.

And have you seen the touching Tyler Perry tribute video?

A tribute to Black women & R&B excellence

On BLKWMN, Ledisi delivers a soul-stirring ode to the beauty, strength, and resilience of the Black woman throughout history, in all her complexity. Written by Ledisi and @Jocmusiq, the song echoes the spirit of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, and Four Women with its deep bass, jazz piano, and rich, emotive vocals. Lyrics like “Hey, Black woman, you did good. Hey, Black woman! I love you,” capture a heartfelt message of pride and appreciation.

The accompanying Tyler Perry produced video is a black-and-white archival slideshow of Black women from all walks of life—politicians, scientists, artists, activists, mothers, and trailblazers—who have shaped history through their courage and determination. Every Black woman, including those who fought for freedom for the rest of us, while sacrificing their own. 

Those who selflessly shaped the minds of generations of young women and girls, breaking barriers with each bold, courageous step toward the future. Regular women, without aspirations of leadership or the spotlight, who had no choice but to be brave in the face of reality since fate decided who they should be before they were ever conceived. 

Meanwhile, Love You Too embraces a smooth, Anita Baker-esque R&B groove, perfect for easy listening. It transports listeners to the classic 1970s soul era while remaining fresh and contemporary. Sometimes easy is good.

Ledisi: a musician’s musician

A celebrated vocalist and professor at the Berklee College of Music, Ledisi has long been admired by icons like Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and the late Prince. Her jazz tribute album, Ledisi Sings Nina, earned her a 14th GRAMMY nomination, with John Legend calling her “one of the greatest singers in the world, period.”

She won her first GRAMMY Award in 2021 for Best Traditional R&B Performance with Anything for You and has amassed three Soul Train Awards, multiple NAACP Image Award nominations, and a NAACP Theatre Award throughout her career.

Upcoming tour & album release

Both Love You Too, and BLKWMN, are from Ledisi’s highly anticipated 12th studio album, The Crown, dropping this spring, with an album cover designed by her husband. She appears on the album cover wearing a golden crown. 

She will headline the Love You Too tour, kicking off on May 28 in Baltimore with special guest Marsha Ambrosius. The 24-city U.S. tour includes stops in Washington, Detroit, Wilmington, Cleveland, and Jacksonville, plus a Toronto date.

Her European tour (July 4–Oct. 25) will feature 21 performances at prestigious festivals like Rudolstadt Festival (Germany), Jazzopen Stuttgart, and the Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), wrapping up in Croatia.

by Cherryl Bird – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
X @ladycbird | Instagram @cherrylbird