Not too many years ago, when she was already well into a 15-year recording career, R&B singer-songwriter Ledisi had to pass out cards explaining how to pronounce her name (it’s “LED-uh-see”).
Until a year ago, Ledisi, born Ledisi Anibade Young and raised in Louisiana and Northern California, seemed destined for a worthy-but-underperforming career. Then everything happened at once: She landed a role as gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in the film “Selma” and released a career-defining album, “The Truth,” and a new seven-song acoustic companion piece, “The Intimate Truth.”
Perhaps most notably, Ledisi was left out of the Grammys’ televised “Selma” tribute when the song she sang in the film, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” was performed by Beyonce instead. The online uproar at the slight made Ledisi, at least briefly, more famous than she has ever been. In a recent phone interview, Ledisi, who plays a sold-out show at the Portage Theater on Wednesday night, talked about her breakout role, her sudden fame and what really happened at the Grammys.
Excerpts from that conversation follow:
On worrying that success might never happen: I felt that years ago, Ihave to say, but now I’m seeing that the picture is bigger. I had to wait my turn and not give up. … You can’t control the inevitable, it’s just gonna be what it’s gonna be. It’s just how you handle it. It’s OK to have a period of being upset about things, but it can’t last too long, because then you don’t get things done. Now that I’ve handled the rough stuff, I’m prepared for all the other stuff.
On the inspiration for “The Truth”: I was leaving a big relationship that had me held down to the notion that it was going to work out.
I had to take a leap of faith and try something different, which was leave that relationship and really find my own person again.
That’s what all those songs were about, living in the truth, not living in a dream or a plan that you think is supposed to go your way. … I don’t regret the relationship. I had a great time.
But if I hadn’t had left that relationship, Iwouldn’t have had “Selma,” I wouldn’t have done the EP, so it all worked out for me. The truth is hard.
On working with George Clooney in her first film role in “Leatherheads”: He’s so very nice. He was great on set. He really loves music, he loves the connection (between) music and art, how it brings people together. I think he should do a film on a singer, he knows his music.
On preparing to play Mahalia Jackson: I studied Mahalia so hard. People know me as an R&B singer, so they’re already freaking out that I’m portraying the great Mahalia Jackson. I sang it exactly like her, as close to her as I can get — I don’t think anyone can sing like Mahalia Jackson. I studied where she was from, that she had a certain walk, her mannerisms when she spoke. I even visited her grave and thanked her for the opportunity. … Idid all my research. It took awhile, and yes, I was afraid. It wasn’t until I put on the costume that I realized it’s not about me, it’s about her, and me making sure that I portray her story as best as I could.
On her disappointment watching Beyonce at the Grammys: Yes. I would’ve loved to have been a part of that, but no one called me. They called Beyonce. … My artistry doesn’t sell as big, but I do have a fan base, and I think people didn’t know that. Even I didn’t know that my fan base was that big. But I’m grateful it happened the way it did. It woke up people and brought attention to me and to the song. … So it all worked out.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Tickets: Sold out; ticketfly.com
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