Leela James

Biography

Alechia Janeice Campbell (born June 2, 1983), known professionally as Leela James, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California.

Music career

James made her debut on the soundtrack to the 2000 Jamie Foxx film Bait on the Roots song "Work", credited as Alechia James.
In 2004, James toured as an opening act for the Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emcee Pete Rock's album Soul Survivor II, providing vocals to the track "No Tears". In 2005, she lent her voice to the posthumously released Ray Charles album Genius & Friends, duetting with the singer on the song "Compared to What".
James' debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come×A Change Is Gonna Come20 June 2005 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Intro1:252Music4:043Good Time4:164Ghetto4:485Soul Food3:186Rain5:497When You Love Somebody4:308Mistreating Me5:139Don't Speak5:3910My Joy4:5711It's Alright4:0412Didn't I3:1813Prayer6:0214A Change Is Gonna Come3:3715Long Time Coming4:02, was released on June 21, 2005. James co-wrote most of the tracks on this album, two exceptions being her covers of the pop rock band No Doubt's 1996 hit "Don't Speak", and the Sam Cooke song "A Change Is Gonna Come". Notable collaborators on the album include Raphael Saadiq, Kanye West and Wyclef Jean.
James guested on Robert Randolph and the Family Band's 2006 album Colorblind, lending her vocals to "Stronger".
After parting ways with Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitled Let's Do It Again, in homage to the Staple Singers.
In June 2009, James appeared on the Moby album Wait for Me, performing the vocal on "Walk with Me".
James' third album My Soul×My Soul25 May 2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1I Ain’t New to This2:312So Cold3:443The Fact Is4:094I Want It All3:335Party All Night4:036Mr. Incredible Ms. Unforgetable3:537Tell Me You Love Me3:318Let It Roll2:459Supa Luva4:5310If It’s Wrong3:2111It's Over3:28, her first with the Stax label, was released on May 24, 2010, and debuted on the US Hip Hop/R&B chart at No. 7. Speaking in May 2010 to UK soul writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, she stated: "With this album I wanted to make sure that I showed all sides of me – in terms of variety in the music and in my vocal range – while at the same time making it clear that every song deeply came from my soul. Plus I also wanted to incorporate a little more hip hop this time, and infuse it with my traditional R&B – because I felt that. By making my beats edgier and harder-hitting, I'd show there was more to me than just doing ballads and things of that sort."
On July 31, 2012, James released her fourth studio album, Loving You More... In the Spirit of Etta James×Loving You More... In the Spirit of Etta James31 July 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Soul Will Never Die1:312Something's Got a Hold on Me3:203It Hurts Me So Much3:214I'm Loving You More Every Day3:465I'd Rather Go Blind4:116I Want to Ta-Ta You Baby3:487Damn Your Eyes3:528Nobody Loves You Like Me3:009Old School Kind of Love3:5510Sunday Kind of Love3:5011At Last3:06. Originally the album was going to have one song honoring Etta James, but with her death it became a full tribute album. It was released by Shanachie Records.

On July 8, 2014, James released her fifth studio album, Fall For You×Fall for You8 July 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Who’s Gonna Love You More3:262Say That3:473Give It3:244Do Me Right4:175Set Me Free3:456Everything3:247So Good3:178Stay With Me4:349Fall for You3:2510Save Me3:55. The album's first two singles, "Say That" feat. Anthony Hamilton and "Fall For You" both reached Top 15 on the Billboard Urban AC charts, with "Fall For You" reaching No. 12. James supported her album with tours nationwide, including performances at Essence Music×MusicSingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Music Festival, Arizona Jazz Fest, San Diego Jazz Fest, Capitol Jazz Fest, and more.
James' sixth album, Did It for Love×Did It For Love31 March 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Hard For Me3:212Don't Mean A Thang3:103Don't Want You Back3:394Real Talk - Relationships (Interlude)0:285I Remember3:586Good To Love You3:397There 4 U4:088This Day Is For You4:089Take Me3:2810All Over Again3:5011Our Love3:3612Did It For Love3:14 was released on March 31, 2017, by Shesangz Music under license to BMG. The album has the singles "Don't Want You Back" released on October 28, 2016, "Hard for Me" released on February 25, 2017, "Don't Mean a Thang" released on March 27, 2017, and a video single "All Over Again" on May 4, 2017. The single "Don't Want You Back" reached number 1 on Billboard' Adult R&B Songs chart on April 15, 2017, becoming her highest-charting single ever.
In February 2021, James debuted the song "Complicated", the first single off her seventh studio album See Me×See Me11 June 2021 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Break My Soul4:132Complicated4:043You're the One3:344Sippin'4:005I Want You4:086See Me4:107Tryin to Get By3:318Put it on Me3:519Angel in Disguise3:4110So Far Away3:2511Rise N Shine3:41. It peaked at No. 1 on Billboard' Adult R&B Songs chart becoming her second number one. Its music video is her most successful with more than 30 million views on Youtube.

Television appearances

In 2014 and 2015, she starred in seasons 2 and 3 of the TV One reality show R&B Divas: Los Angeles.

Influences

James cites singers James Brown, Roberta Flack, Toni Braxton, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, and Etta James as influences.

Personal life

James is an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority; she was inducted on July 27, 2024 at the sorority's Boulé in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Studio albums

A Change Is Gonna Come (2005)
Let's Do It Again (2009)
My Soul (2010)
Loving You More... In the Spirit of Etta James (2012)
Fall for You (2014)
Did It for Love (2017)
See Me (2021)
Thought U Knew (2023)

EPs

Are You Ready? (2019) (with The Truth Band)
2BHONEST (2025)