Leela James
Leela James is an American R&B and soul singer known for her powerful, gritty vocals reminiscent of Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Born on June 2, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, she debuted with her 2005 album A Change Is Gonna Come on Warner Bros., earning NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding New Artist. James, dubbed "The Goddaughter of Soul" by James Brown, has released seven studio albums, including the Top 20 hit My Soul in 2010.
She began as a background vocalist in the 1990s and gained notice with features on soundtracks like Whatever It Takes (2000) and Pete Rock's Soul Survivor II (2004). Her debut album charted internationally and included a cover of No Doubt's "Don't Speak," while early tours opened for Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray.
James achieved her first Billboard Adult R&B Songs No. 1 with "Don't Want You Back" in 2017 and repeated the feat with "Complicated" in 2021 from her album See Me. She won a 2014 Soul Train Certified Award and received NAACP Image Award nominations in 2021 and 2025 for collaborations.
Influenced by Al Green, Chaka Khan, and Roberta Flack, her music blends classic soul with modern R&B, emphasizing emotive storytelling and vocal range across seven Top 20 R&B radio singles.
A Change Is Gonna Come
2 Music
Arranged By [Background Arrangement] – Bobby Ross Avila, Leela James
Producer – Bobby Ross Avila and Iz
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Leela James, We Fly Music
Written-By – Leela James, Louis "Buster Brown" II, Scott "Shavani" Parker 4:03
3 Good Time
Legal [Sample Clearance Services] – James Rainey, Music Resources, Inc., Robin Hill
Producer – Comissioner Gordon
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Gordon Williams, Kenton Nix, Leela James, Puff Johnson 4:16
4 Ghetto
Producer – Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis, Wyclef Jean
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Jerry Wonder, Leela James, Wyclef Jean
Written-By – Jerry Duplessis, Leela James, Wyclef Jean 4:47
5 Slappy Interlude 0:57
6 Soul Food
Producer – Raphael Saadiq
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Leela James, Raphael Saadiq
Written-By – Leela James, Raphael Saadiq 3:18
7 Rain
Co-producer – Jake & The Phatman
Producer – Raphael Saadiq
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Leela James, Raphael Saadiq
Written-By – Leela James, Raphael Saadiq 5:48
8 Married Interlude 1:40
9 When You Love Somebody
Arranged By [Background Arrangement] – Leela James, Puff Johnson
Producer – Commissioner Gordon
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Gordon Williams, Leela James, Puff Johnson
Written-By [Elements Of "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"] – Al Kooper 4:30
10 Mistreating Me
Arranged By [Background Arrangement] – Leela James
Producer – Aaron Harris, Comissioner Gordon
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Aaron Harris, Ahmad Lewis, Leela James 5:13
11 Don't Speak
Arranged By [Background Arrangement] – Leela James, Renee Neufville
Co-producer – Leela James
Producer – Comissioner Gordon
Written-By – Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani 5:39
12 Bummy Interlude 0:52
13 My Joy
Arranged By [Background Arrangement] – Leela James
Producer – James Poyser, Vikter Duplaix
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, James Mtume, Leela James
Written-By – Carvin Haggins, James Poyser, Leela James, Tend Lewis, Vikter Duplaix 4:57
14 It's Alright
Arranged By [Background Arrangement] – Anthony Mills, Leela James
Co-producer – Leela James
Producer – Comissioner Gordon, Kanye West
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Gordon Williams, Kanye West, Leela James, Renee Neufville 4:03
15 Didn't I
Producer – Comissioner Gordon, Kanye West
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Kanye West, Leela James
Written-By [Portions Of "I Can't Fake It Anymore"] – D. Monda, T. Taylor 3:17
16 Prayer
Producer – Chucky Thompson
Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Chucky Thompson, Leela James, Puff Johnson 6:02
17 I Know I've Been Changed Interlude 2:05
18 A Change Is Gonna Come
Producer, Producer [Lead Vocal Production] – Comissioner Gordon, Leela James
Written-By – Sam Cooke 3:36
19 Long Time Coming
Co-producer – Leela James
Producer – Comissioner Gordon
Written-By – Gordon Williams, Leela James
Written-By [Portions Of "The Truth"] – Dwight Grant, Graham Nash, Kanye West 4:01
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9362-48027-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2005
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Leela James' debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come, was a powerful introduction, hailed for its raw, classic soul sound, authoritative vocals, and a welcome return to traditional R&B amidst pop music. Critics loved her "muscular, soulful" style and dedication to preserving classic soul, though some felt its length or a few tracks were minor drawbacks, overall marking it a strong statement that established her as a major new voice in soul, even if mainstream success was slow.
James was seen as regenerating and maintaining traditional American soul music with a contemporary edge, standing out from the pop-heavy scene.
Her "husky, leathery" voice and soulful delivery were consistently praised, drawing comparisons to legendary soul singers.
While featuring her own writing, the album included notable covers like Sam Cooke's title track, blending old-school vibes with modern sass.
Despite not initially hitting big with masses, it was a remarkable feat, proving her vocal talent and establishing her path for future releases like My Soul.
It received glowing reviews, with some outlets giving it perfect scores (5 stars). Reviewers found it a refreshing and uncommercialized blend of R&B, Gospel, and soul. A few found it lengthy or noted occasional "whining baby pitches" on some tracks, but these were largely overshadowed by the album's strengths.
In essence, A Change Is Gonna Come was a significant, soulful statement, positioning Leela James as a vital artist committed to authentic, classic soul music for a new generation.
Did It For Love
Written-By – Evan Brice, Francci Richard, Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:21
2 Don't Mean A Thang
Written-By – Calvin "Tubby" Frazier, Francci Richard, Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:10
3 Don't Want You Back
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:37
4 Real Talk - Relationships (Interlude)
Written-By – Aaron Sledge, Ayaamii Sledge, Dawaun "D Park" Parker, Demario Bridges, Leela James, Phil Beaudreau
0:28
5 I Remember
Written-By – Jairus Mozee, Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:58
6 Good To Love You
Featuring – Dave Hollister
Written-By – Francci Richard, Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:39
7 There 4 U
Written-By – Allen Arthur, Keith Justice, Leela James
4:07
8 This Day Is For You
Written-By – Jairus "JMo" Mozee, Leela James, Rex Rideout
4:08
9 Take Me
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:28
10 All Over Again
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:49
11 Our Love
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:36
12 Did It For Love
Written-By – Aaron Sledge, Ayaamii Sledge, Dawaun "D Park" Parker, Demario Bridges, Leela James, Phil Beaudreau
3:14
Label: BMG – 538271952
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2017
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
Fall For You
Written-By – Drew Ramsey, Leela James, Shannon Sanders
2 Say That
Featuring Anthony Hamilton
Written-By – Darrell Crooks, Francci Richards, Leela James, Rex Rideout
3 Give It
Written-By – Leela James, Michael Flowers
4 Do Me Right
Written-By – Christopher Smith, Leela James, Tim Kelley
5 Set Me Free
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout
6 Everything
Written-By – Cornelio "Corn" Austin, Leela James
7 So Good
Written-By – Joe Ryan, Leela James
8 Stay With Me
Written-By – Lee Hutson Jr., Leela James
Written-By [Uncredited] – Eric Jackson
9 Fall For You
Written-By – Joe Ryan, Leela James, Rex Rideout
10 Save Me
Featuring – Joe Ryan
Written-By – Joe Ryan, Leela James, Rex Rideout
Label: J&T Records
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2014
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Soul
Let's Do It Again
Let s Do It Again Lets Do It Again
1 Clean Up Woman
Written-By – Clarence Reid, Willie Clarke
4:24
2 Miss You
Written-By – Mick Jagger/Keith Richards
5:25
3 It's A Man's Man's Man's World
Backing Vocals – Andrea Martin, Darchele Todd, Melonie Daniels
Written-By – Betty Jean Newsome, James Brown
5:06
4 Baby I'm Scared Of You
Backing Vocals – Andrea Martin
Written-By – Cecil Womack/Linda Womack
5:31
5 You Know How To Love Me
Written-By – James Mtume, Reginald Lucas
4:04
6 I Want To Know What Love Is
Backing Vocals – LaTasha Jordan, Linwood Smith, Melonie Daniels
Vocals [Additional] – Ralph Kearns
Written-By – Michael Jones
7:13
7 Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Written-By – James Cox
3:52
8 I Try
Backing Vocals – Andrea Martin, Leela James
Written-By – Angela Bofill
4:54
9 I'd Rather Be With You
Written-By – William Collins, Gary Cooper, George Clinton Jr.
5:23
10 Simply Beautiful
Written-By – Al Green
5:10
11 Let's Do It Again
Vocals [Additional] – Ralph Kearns
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield
5:01
Label: Shanachie – 5775
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2009
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Soul, Contemporary R&B
My Soul
2. So Cold 3:43
3. The Fact Is 4:08
4. I Want It All 3:33
5. Party All Night 4:03
6. Mr. Incredible Ms. Unforgettable
Featuring – Raheem DeVaughn
3:52
7. Tell Me You Love Me 3:30
8. Let It Roll 2:44
9. Supa Luva 4:52
10. If It's Wrong 3:21
11. It's Over 3:27
Label: Stax – STX-31641-02
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2010
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
See Me
Featuring, Rap – Mumu Fresh
Written-By – Aaron Boyels, Aaron Sledge, Ayaamii Sledge, Demario Bridges, Gabrielle Lynn Henry, Julius Seals, Leela James, Maimouna Youssef
4:13
2 Complicated
Written-By – Darrell Crooks, Francesca Richard, Leela James, Rex Rideout, Ronnie Jackson (2)
4:04
3 You're The One
Written-By – Francesca Richard, Reynaldo Reagan, Rex Rideout
3:34
4 Sippin'
Written-By – Charles W Bereal, Francesca Richard, Leela James
4:00
5 I Want You
Written-By – Jairus Mozee, Leela James, Rex Rideout
4:08
6 See Me
Written-By – Francesca Richard, Leela James, Rex Rideout
4:10
7 Tryin To Get By
Written-By – Eric Ingram, Francesca Richard, Jairus Mozee, Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:31
8 Put It On Me
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout
3:51
9 Angel In Disguise
Written-By – Aaron Sledge, Aayami Sledge, Calvin Frazier, Leela James
3:41
10 So Far Away
Written-By – Francesca Richard, Jairus Mozee
3:24
11 Rise N Shine
Written-By – Leela James, Rex Rideout, Phillip Jackson
3:41
Label: BMG – 538688652
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2021
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Contemporary R&B
Thought U Knew
Written-By – Francesca Richard, A. Campbell, Rex Rideout, Ronnie Garrett
3:54
2 Right Back In It
Written-By – Francesca Richard, A. Campbell, Rex Rideout
3:43
3 Good On Me
Written-By – Antwan Thompson, Daniel Garcia, Francesca Richard, Francis Ubiera, Kyeme Miller, A. Campbell, Shaun Thomas
3:51
4 Whatcha Done Now
Written-By – A. Campbell, Rex Rideout, Ronnie Garrett
3:32
5 Be Your Baby
Written-By – Cornelio Austin, A. Campbell, Rex Rideout
3:57
6 Faded
Written-By – Charlie Bereal, Francesca Richard, Jairus Mozee, John Smith, A. Campbell, Rex Rideout
4:02
7 Satisfied
Written-By – Francesca Richard, A. Campbell, Rex Rideout, Ronnie Garrett
3:49
8 I Was Your Woman
Featuring – Yo Yo
Written-By – Darhyl Camper, Jr., Francesca Richard, A. Campbell, Rex Rideout, Yolanda Whittaker
3:28
Label: BMG – 538961802
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2023
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Contemporary R&B