Ledisi is a musician’s musician. Every who’s who in music has raved about her talents, from John Legend calling her one of his “favorite vocalists,” to the greats like Smokey Robinson, exclaiming she’s “the bomb.” Even first Lady Michelle Obama is a tried and true fan. “She’s got that really pretty voice…She didn’t just record a good album, she created a great one.” So we received the opportunity to chat with her on the eve of her album’s release and here’s what she had to say…

 

 

Chasity Saunders: You’re an amazing songstress who’s often on tour, tell me about your beauty regiments on the go. Ledisi: At night I love to exfoliate, I use Fresh Sugar Face Polish, it’s made with strawberries! It’s a great cooling mask sold at Sephora and I use this nightly. I also use Perricone MD facial cleanser and cleansing treatment bar, I can’t go on tour without them. C: What are some of your favorite beauty buys that you would recommend for our readers? L: Well I’m actually testing products for a cosmetics line that I may have more involvement in, other than just being a consumer, but I can’t say much more about that at the moment; just stay tuned! I will say that I love Viva Glam Lip Glass From MAC, it’s a staple in my beauty bag! C: You have beautiful long natural locks, how long have you been growing them and what products work best on your hair? L: I’ve been growing my locks for over seven years and my favorite products are, well pretty much anything from Carol’s Daughters hair care line. C: What eating habits do you practice to maintain a healthy body? L: I stop eating at 8pm and I hardly ever eat meat. I love fish and vegetables and my favorite beverage is water with lime, I don’t drink sodas at all. C: Your eating habits are so admirable! However what must-have treats do you love, that are worth the extra workout? L: Being from New Orleans, Louisiana I love southern style grits, with extra butter! It’s worth the extra cardio! C: Where are you favorite places to shop? L: I love to shop at flea markets and boutiques, especially when I’m in New York. Brooklyn has the best! C: Who are some of your favorite designers at the moment? I loved the shoes you wore at your Samsung Experience performance who were they by? L: They were by Betsey Johnson, I really like her shoes. At the moment I’m also loving AllSaints, Diane Von Furstenberg and that Robert Rodriguez has the most beautiful jackets! C: I’ve been a fan of your music for a while and I’ve seen a change in your style over the past few years, can you describe where the progression of your sound is going? L: My last album taught me to have freedom, I was figuring out my lane. On this album you’ll see the Ledisi swag. I’ve found my own walk, I’m not competing with anyone else in the business, as a matter of fact I’m “inspired” by other women and I’m at a place where you can either hate it or love it. I’m in my lane and I’m not going anywhere! C: Jones was on the scene for your Samsung experience performance in New York City to preview your album and we like the track Shut Up! What are 2 of your favorite tracks off the new album? L: “Pieces of Me” is one of my favorites, the song is saying I’m complex and I’m enjoying myself. Another favorite is “Be Good To Yourself” It’s a song about loving yourself. C: Who and What Inspires you? L: Performing at Black Girls Rock on BET was huge for me. Also, meeting Michelle Obama and her telling me that she was a fan of my music blew my mind. These are the moments that inspire me! C: What artist would you like to meet and possibly work with in the near future? L: Beyonce hands down, I love her voice and she always goes for it, It’s evident that she studies great artist something I don’t think a lot of newer artist do and she does. C: What books are you reading right now? L: Furious Love, Fearless Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the marriage of the Century, By Sam Kashner, Nancy Schoenberger books. It’s a book about how deep their love was. I also re-read The Alchemist, By Paulo Coelho from time to time to remind me of the journey. C: Will we ever see Ledisi back on the big screen? Do you see more acting in your future? L: Yes! I started my acting career on broadway with Anika Noni Rose and Tony Pickens as the understudy in “Caroline, or Change” and my feature film debut was in Leatherheads in 2008 with George Clooney, I played a Blues Singer. I plan on acting more in the future! C: What are you listening to on your iPod right now? L: On Sundays I listen to Stevie Wonder and there’s alot of Jazz music on my Ipod. Right now I’m loving Beyonce’s 1+1 and Chris Brown’s Remix to look at me now with Busta Rhymes. C: If we were to open your laptop right now, what websites would we find in your browser? L: Oprah.com and WordDaily.com C: What’s next for you? L: I’ll be joining Walmart On The Road To Essence parking lot concert events, which kicks off at Walmart in Memphis on June 14th, Birmingham on June 15th and Baton Rouge on June 16th. Ledisi’s Road To ESSENCE Walmart tour dates will culminate in New Orleans on July 3 with a performance in the Walmart Live! Pavilion on-site at the Essence Music Festival Marketplace in the New Orleans Convention Center. C: Any final thoughts? L: Recording this album was my therapy. Every aspect of it is who I am. But…not all of me…just Pieces of Me. Download the recent single, "Pieces of Me," here.Check out a few recent performances from this amazing artist…Wendy Williams ShowGood Day New York