We just love singer, songwriter, Leela James! James has had an amazing year making her first reality television on debut on TVone ‘R&B Divas – LA ‘ and dropping her fourth studio album which is titled after her smashing hit single “Fall For You”
Unlike most reality stars, Leelah contends that her desire to join the reality network was to solely promote her music and reach a broader audience, and nothing more, and she achieved just that. Casting herself from the cattiness, and fueling drama that unfolds on reality tv for ratings, Leelah managed to stay in her lane and put the primary focus on her musical talent and it worked.
What sets Leela James apart is her fearless approach to making music. She travels the gamut of emotions from self-doubt to self-confidence, and reminds her audience of what it is to be human – to love, to regret and to dream.
“The best artists stay true to who they are, no matter the scale,” says James. “I think you can be relevant and still have substance, so I try to never stay in a box. My sound today may be different than where I was five years ago, but my core is always the same. My soul is intact.”
For Leela, it’s always been about the soul. So much so that she was nicknamed Baby Etta as a little girl growing up in Los Angeles. Along with Chaka Khan and Al Green, she counts Etta James among her vocal heroes and paid homage in 2012 by recording her album Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James.
Leela’s influences run the gamut of vocalists from soul to funk, and jazz, and her interpretation of music touches on synesthetic.
“It’s the feel of the colors in an artist’s voicing and their power. Some artists make the hairs rise on my arm when they hit a certain note. Anybody can hold a tune, but make me feel it. Now that’s a sanger. ”
James has that kind of a voice — that of a sanger. Her power is obvious when she takes on the soul classics, and what truly resonates is her ability to harness it in the context of her own writing style.
“I freestyle in the moment,” she says. “I vibe with the music and whatever comes out, that’s what it’s going to be. I tend to fool around with melodies I’m hearing, and then I go back and fill in lyrics. If the music is making me feel good, that’s all I need.”
Check her new single’ Fall For You’ below:and be sure to download her new album on itunes now,..it’s purchase worthy!