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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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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A’s Last Game in Oakland Ends Baseball Team’s 57-Year Tenure Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Efforts to Save Team Blocked by GOP-Controlled House

After 57 years, the Athletics have left Oakland following a home series this week. Though Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to keep the team in Oakland, she could not get the backing she needed from other legislators in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Published

7 days ago

October 1, 2024

Oakland Post

Wikimedia image.

By Post Staff

After 57 years, the Athletics have left Oakland following a home series this week.

Though Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to keep the team in Oakland, she could not get the backing she needed from other legislators in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Lee tried 15 months ago, the day before Nevada politicians approved $380 million in public funds to build a Las Vegas ballpark. Lee proposed a bill that would have stopped the A’s move by requiring a hefty exit fee that would have made them reconsider a move.

“That’s only fair,” Lee said in an interview in the Los Times by sportswriter Bill Shaikin. “That’s the only fair way to do it,” she said. “You’ve got to compensate the community, because the community has invested a heck of a lot.”

However, Lee’s bill could not go forward without the backing it needed. First, it went to the House Judiciary Committee chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican. Jordan did not co-sponsor Lee’s bill or permit the committee hearing required for the bill to move forward.

“We put up a good fight. The city put up a good fight, the county, everyone,” said Lee.

“Unfortunately, we are losing a team that really, in the day, exemplified Black excellence in Oakland. It’s more than just the team leaving. It’s a part of Oakland’s history, and our culture,” she said.