Leela James
| Leela James | |
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Leela James live at .
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leela James |
| Born |
May 22, 1983 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Origin | Los Angeles, CA |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Warner Bros., Shanachie, Stax, BMG Rights Management, J&T Records |
| Associated acts | Pete Rock, Raphael Saadiq, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Raheem DeVaughn |
| Website | www.leelajames.com |
Leela James (born May 22, 1983 in Los Angeles, California) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter.
James cites singers James Brown, Roberta Flack, Toni Braxton, 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, Toni Braxton, and Tina Turner.
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".
James' debut album, 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.
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