Grammy-winning singer Ledisi has returned with “I Need To Know,” a new song she co-wrote with her longtime collaborator Rex Rideout.
The elegantly produced track addresses Ledisi’s annoyance about a partner who refuses to communicate when there is an issue in their relationship.
“You keep messing with my mind / Telling me nothing is wrong with us / When your actions show something real different / It’s like you’re changing up / I don’t know what to do / So I’m asking you,” she sings with pained phrasing.
“I Need To Know” is Ledisi’s first new solo music since releasing 2021’s Ledisi Sings Nina, a tribute to Nina Simone that featured her rendition of songs made famous by the High Priestess of Soul.
Ledisi Sings Nina debuted at No. 11 on Billboard’s Traditional Jazz Album chart. It was later nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022.
Before that, Ledisi issued Ledisi Live at the Troubadour in April 2021. The 11-song project featured Ledisi moving briskly through some of her most beloved songs, along with music from her then-freshly released album The Wild Card.
Released under her Listen Back imprint in association with BMG, The Wild Card arrived Aug. 28, 2020. It was led by “Anything For You,” a heartwarming ballad she co-produced with Rideout.
In October 2020, “Anything For You” rose to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, becoming her first song to reach the summit. It remained atop for two-consecutive weeks.
That wasn’t the only first for Ledisi. “Anything For You” won Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 63rd Grammy Awards, making it her first prize.
“Same Love,” The Wild Card‘s second radio single, peaked at No. 23 on the Adult R&B Airplay the week that ended April 3, 2021.
Ledisi paired “Same Love” with a music video directed by her husband and photographer, Ron T. Young.
The Wild Card was among Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020.
Last February, Robert Glasper recruited Ledisi for his Grammy-nominated album Black Radio III for “It Don’t Matter,” which also features Gregory Porter.
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Music aside, Ledisi starred as Queen of Gospel Mahalia Jackson in the Denise Dowse-directed Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, available on Hulu.
Ledisi is set to embark on the Soul II Soul Tour, a co-headlining venture with Kem. It kicks off on Feb. 3 and runs through May 12. Musiq Soulchild will support the tour as a special guest.
Stream Ledisi’s new single “I Need To Know” below.
