| Good Life | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 15, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | R&B, soul | |||
| Length | 48:53 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Ledisi chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Good Life | ||||
| ||||
Good Life is the eleventh studio album by American singer and songwriter Ledisi. It was released on March 15, 2024, by Listen Back Entertainment, and distributed by BMG Rights Management.
After the release of Ledisi's previous album Ledisi Sings Nina (2021), she took a brief hiatus from music to further her acting career. She starred in the lead role of portraying American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the American biographical musical film Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022), reprising the role from the earlier historical film Selma (2014). In 2023, she portrayed American singer Gladys Knight in the biographical drama film Spinning Gold . In February 2023, Ledisi co-headlined the Soul II Soul Tour with American singer Kem. [1] Before embarking on the tour, Ledisi recorded a new single titled "I Need to Know" for the tour as she did not want to tour without a new single. [2] The Soul II Soul Tour played twenty-three dates and concluded in May 2023.
Record sessions for the album were meant to start in 2022 but were halted due to the success of her previous album Ledisi Sings Nina as well as the filming of Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story where Ledisi portrays American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. [2] At the beginning of recording sessions, she didn't know which musical direction to take for album. In an interview with BET, Ledisi recounted "I had some stuff written but I didn't know what direction I wanted to go. I was moving and I didn't have anything interesting in my personal life to sing about." [2] She began working with songwriters and producers Darhyl Camper, Ray Keys, and longtime collaborative partner Rex Rideout. Two female songwriters, Marsha Ambrosius and Francesca Richard, who helped structure the album were also part of the team. She also worked with projection and newcomers G.A.D. and Shoji. [3] Ledisi co-wrote all of the songs on the album. During the recording of "Perfect Stranger", Ledisi's husband Ronald T. Young encouraged her to add American singer Kenny Lattimore to the record. [2]
In collaboration with BMG Rights Management, Good Life was released by Ledisi's record label Listen Back Entertainment on March 15, 2024. [4] Good Life is the fourth album to be released on Listen Back Entertainment. To promote Good Life, Ledisi appeared on various television shows from early-2023 to mid-2024. She debuted the single "I Need to Know" on The Jennifer Hudson Show on February 1, 2023. [5] On March 12, 2024, she performed the album's lead single "Sell Me No Dreams" on The Tamron Hall Show . [6] In March 2024, Ledisi embarked on The Good Life Tour. [7] [8] The tour began on March 6, 2024, at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York, Pennsylvania.
"I Need to Know" was the first single to be released on January 12, 2023. The song was recorded for Ledisi to have new music to perform during the Soul II Soul Tour. The song peaked atop of Billboard's Adult R&B Songs chart on May 25, 2023. [9] It held the top position for two weeks, making it her second song to achieve this. [10] The accompanying lyric video was released to YouTube on January 12, 2023. [11]
"Sell Me No Dreams" was released as the album's lead single on November 28, 2023. The song rose to number 47 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 18 on the Adult R&B Songs chart. The accompanying music video for "Sell Me No Dreams", directed by her husband Ron T. Young, was released on February 21, 2024. [12]
"Perfect Stranger", featuring Kenny Lattimore, was released as the second single from Good Life on February 2, 2024. [13] The accompanying music video for "Perfect Stranger", directed by Ron T. Young, was released on February 21, 2024. [14]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
Good Life received generally positive reviews from music critics. Andy Kellman of AllMusic praised Ledisi for "her smart choices for new collaborators which resulted in an album that further strengthens her body of work." [4] Ebony magazine's Josh Baker referred to the album as "a powerful testimony, reflecting her journey of overcoming obstacles such as being told she wasn't pretty enough or would never make it." [15] Baker also praises the album's theme of "a positive outlook while also addressing the theme of overcoming chaos." [15] Keith Spera of The New Orleans Advocate simply called Good Life, "a throwback to the classic-sounding contemporary R&B and soul." [16]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Good Life" |
| 3:03 | |
| 2. | "Magic (Voila)" |
| 3:15 | |
| 3. | "I Need to Know" |
| 4:00 | |
| 4. | "Sell Me No Dreams" |
|
| 3:08 |
| 5. | "Stay Here Tonight" |
| 2:57 | |
| 6. | "Like It Was" |
| 3:47 | |
| 7. | "Perfect Stranger" (featuring Kenny Lattimore) |
|
| 3:51 |
| 8. | "Quality Time" (featuring Butcher Brown) |
| 4:25 | |
| 9. | "Keep U in Mind" |
|
| 3:24 |
| 10. | "Choose Me" |
| 4:42 | |
| 11. | "Me & U Ain't Good" |
|
| 3:46 |
| 12. | "Good Year" |
| 3:32 | |
| 13. | "Hello Love" |
|
| 5:03 |
| Total length: | 48:53 | |||
Fantasia Monique Barrino-Taylor, known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American singer and actress. She rose to prominence in 2004 for her performance of the Porgy and Bess standard "Summertime" during the third season of American Idol, and eventually became that season's winner. Following her victory, Barrino became the second woman to have her first single debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, following Lauryn Hill, when her debut single "I Believe", launched atop the chart. Her accolades include two Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy Award, along with nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. In 2024, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people.
Joanna Noëlle "JoJo" Levesque is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She began performing in singing competitions and local talent shows as a child. In 2003, record producer Vincent Herbert noticed her after she competed on the television show America's Most Talented Kids and asked her to audition for his record label Blackground Records. After signing with the label, JoJo released her eponymous debut studio album in 2004. It peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over four million copies worldwide to date.
Louisa Gabriella Bobb, known professionally as Gabrielle, is a British singer and songwriter. Bobb was born in Hackney, London. She released her debut single, "Dreams", in 1993, and it topped the UK Singles Chart the same year. Her other singles include "Going Nowhere", "Give Me a Little More Time", "Walk On By", and "If You Ever" – a duet with East 17.
Chanté Torrane Moore is an American singer-songwriter, television personality, and author. Rising to fame in the early 1990s, Moore established herself as an R&B singer.
From Me to You is the debut album by Japanese singer and songwriter Yui. It was released on February 22, 2006, by Sony Music Japan. The album title, From Me to You's message is "Kono uta subete, kimi ni" (この歌すべて、君に), which means "All of These Songs, to You" in English. From Me to You is primarily a pop rock record with elements of folk rock and blues rock. Lyrically, it explores themes of love, frustration, and relationships.
Mavis Staples is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer and civil rights activist. She rose to fame as a member of her family's band The Staple Singers, of which she is the last surviving member. During her time in the group, she recorded the hit singles "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It Again". In 1969, Staples released her self-titled debut solo album.
Ledisi Anibade Young, better known simply as Ledisi, is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.
Carvin & Ivan are a production duo from Philadelphia consisting of producers and songwriters Ivan "Orthodox" Barias and Carvin "Ransum" Haggins. Initially starting out as solo hip hop artists, Haggins and Barias moved into production and songwriting. They have written and produced songs for Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Faith Evans, Musiq Soulchild, Justin Timberlake, Mario, Chris Brown, Ledisi, Raheem DeVaughn, Keyshia Cole, Jaheim, Estelle, Floetry, Skillz, Ace Hood, Rick Ross and others.
Pieces of Me is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Ledisi. It was released on June 14, 2011, by Verve Forecast Records.
The Truth is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Ledisi. It was released on March 11, 2014, by Verve Records.
Mahalia Burkmar, known mononymously as Mahalia, is a British singer, songwriter and actress. Mahalia has released several EPs and three albums, Diary of Me (2016), Love and Compromise (2019) and IRL (2023). She also acted in the film Brotherhood (2016). She had her breakthrough in 2017 with her performance of "Sober" for the YouTube channel Colors. In 2018, she was ranked number one on YouTube's Ones to Watch list.
Let Love Rule is the eighth studio album by American musician Ledisi. It was released in September 2017 under Verve Records. The album was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 60th Grammy Awards in January 2018.
The Wild Card is the ninth studio album by American singer and songwriter Ledisi. It was released on August 28, 2020, by Listen Back Entertainment, and distributed by BMG Rights Management. Her first independent album since Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue (2002) and the first project release on Listen Back Entertainment, Ledisi wrote and produced the album with Kal Banx, Ivan Barias, Phil Beaudreau, Jeff Gitelman, Robert Glasper, Cory Henry, Rex Rideout, SiR and various other collaborators. Sa-Roc and Cory Henry also appear as featured musicians.
Ledisi Sings Nina is the tenth studio album by American singer Ledisi. The album was released on July 23, 2021, by her record label Listen Back Entertainment and distributed by BMG Rights Management. The album was recorded in collaboration with the Metropole Orkest. Ledisi Sings Nina is a tribute album to American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone. The album was nominated for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Album at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story is an American biographical musical drama film directed by Denise Dowse and written by Ericka Nicole Malone. The film stars Ledisi as gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson. Also starring Columbus Short, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Janet Hubert, Vanessa Williams, Corbin Bleu and Keith David. It premiered at the 2022 Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles in April 2022. The film later premiered on Hulu on September 20, 2022.
The Good Life Tour was the twelfth concert tour by American singer Ledisi, in support of her eleventh studio album Good Life (2024).
The Intimate Truth is a live album by American singer Ledisi. It was released on January 20, 2015, by Verve Records. Recorded in July 2014, the album contains acoustic versions of songs from her seventh album The Truth (2014).
"Alright" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Ledisi for her third studio album Lost & Found (2007). It was written by Ledisi, and produced by Rex Rideout with guitar played by musician Jubu Smith. Ledisi decided that she wanted a deeper and more personal song as the third single; the song was sent by Verve Forecast to contemporary hit radio in the United States on July 3, 2007. "Alright" is a soul song about dealing with personal and financial issues as well as acceptance. The single reached the top twenty on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.
"Pieces of Me" is a song by American singer and songwriter Ledisi for her sixth studio album, Pieces of Me (2011). The song was written by Ledisi, Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, with the latter two producing the song. The song's lyrics are about the meaning of being a woman.
"I Need to Know" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ledisi, for her eleventh studio album Good Life (2024). It was released to music outlets on January 12, 2023, by her independent record label Listen Back Entertainment. The song was written by Ledisi and longtime collaborator and producer Rex Rideout, the latter of which produced the song.
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Live albums | |
| Soundtrack albums | |
| Singles | |
| Concert tours | |
| Concert residencies | |
