Entertainment

Ledisi ‘Disappointed’ Not Upset Over Beyonce Grammys Switch

Published

10 years ago

February 9, 2015

Beyonce performs at the 57th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Nekesa Mumbi Moody, ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyonce gave a resplendent rendition of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” at the Grammys but it was Ledisi who gave the song revived attention with her performance of it for “Selma.”

Ledisi plays Mahalia Jackson in the Oscar-nominated film and sings the song on the movie’s soundtrack, so some of her fans expressed anger on social media that she was not asked to perform on the Grammys. (John Legend and Common performed their song from the movie, “Glory,” which has been nominated for an Academy Award.)

The Grammy-nominated Ledisi said she understands why Beyonce was chosen, but admitted to being “a little disappointed.”

“But I got over that and I had to look at the positive and empower women,” she told The Associated Press on the Grammy red carpet on Sunday before the show started. “We have to empower each other. It’s a great thing. And one day I’ll be on that Grammy stage. Every artist wants to be on the Grammys stage. That’s part of our career is to be there. So my time will come when it’s time.”

And Ledisi said she is glad more focus is coming to “Selma.”

“I was able to portray an iconic gospel singer, the queen of gospel Mahalia Jackson. I sang the version she sang, take my hand as well with Thomas Dorsey writing it and now we get to see Beyoncé sing a song that’s been living forever and to her generation,” she said. “It’s great. I’m part of a legacy of great women and the Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) sang it as well. So I’m a part of that.”

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Xixi Yang contributed to this report.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Related Topics:2015 Grammys Beyonce'Ledisi Mahalia Jackson Selma film

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Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024

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22 hours ago

November 1, 2024

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Bay Area

Love Life Organization Shows Love

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.

City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team

By Donald Lacy

Special to The Post

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.

It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.

The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.

Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..

There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.