Leela James

Alechia Janeice Campbell, known professionally as Leela James, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter born in Los Angeles, California. Her music career began with her debut as Alechia James on The Roots’ song “Work” for the 2000 Jamie Foxx film “Bait” soundtrack. In the early 2000s, she gained experience as an opening act for musicians like The Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray. She also contributed vocals to Pete Rock’s album “Soul Survivor II” in 2004 and duetted with Ray Charles on “Compared to What” for his posthumously released 2005 album “Genius & Friends.”

James released her debut album, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” in June 2005. She co-wrote most of its tracks, alongside covers of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Notable collaborators on this album included Raphael Saadiq, Kanye West, and Wyclef Jean. After leaving Warner Bros. Records, she signed with Shanachie Records, releasing her second studio album, “Let’s Do It Again,” a collection of cover songs in 2009. Her third album, “My Soul,” released in 2010 under Stax Records, debuted at number 7 on the US Hip Hop/R&B chart. This album incorporated more hip-hop elements, aiming to showcase her versatility beyond ballads.

Her career continued with “Loving You More… In the Spirit of Etta James” in 2012, a tribute album to Etta James. “Fall For You” (2014) produced two singles, “Say That” featuring Anthony Hamilton and “Fall For You,” both reaching the Top 15 on the Billboard Urban AC charts. Her sixth album, “Did It for Love” (2017), featured the single “Don’t Want You Back,” which reached number 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart, marking her highest-charting single to date. In February 2021, she released “Complicated,” the first single from her seventh studio album, “See Me,” which also achieved a number 1 spot on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.