Grammy-winning vocalist Ledisi has marked a triumphant return with the release of her twelfth studio album, The Crown, officially launched on April 25, 2025. Seamlessly blending R&B, soul, gospel, and modern contemporary styles, the album is a bold celebration of empowerment, self-identity, and artistic resilience. Ledisi’s new project captures her evolution as a vocalist and cultural figure, delivering a soundscape rich with conviction, confidence, and faith.
This album arrives on the heels of her 2024 release Good Life and signifies a creative resurgence that came unexpectedly. Ledisi had not initially planned to return to the studio so soon, but an invitation to sing at Super Bowl LIX reignited her musical inspiration. What began as a spark turned into a full-scale studio commitment, leading to an intensive recording schedule that started in July 2024 and wrapped in January 2025.
Working alongside long-time collaborators such as Rex Rideout, Darhyl Camper, Ray Keys, and Jacques ‘Joc’ Pierre, Ledisi was intricately involved in the creation of every track, co-writing each song and carefully shaping the album’s sonic identity. The result is a collection of music that not only upliftsApril 7, 2025 10:00 PM but also calls listeners to embrace their own power and authenticity.
A Title with Purpose
The album’s name, The Crown, came from a casual conversation with producer Rex Rideout. The suggestion resonated deeply with Ledisi, who embraced the metaphor as central to the album’s message. “A crown is your calling,” she shared during an interview appearance. “So let’s go ahead and own my calling.” That mantra fuels the lyrical depth of the album, which touches on themes of strength, vulnerability, Black womanhood, and spiritual conviction.
Ledisi revealed the cover art and official release date on March 17, 2025, during a guest appearance on the daytime talk show Sherri. Clad in regal purple and gold, the artwork shows her adorned in a literal crown—a visual statement underscoring the record’s mission to inspire royalty within.
Musical Composition and Highlights
Stylistically, The Crown fuses multiple genres: the warmth of soul, the groove of R&B, the emotional gravity of gospel, and the freshness of contemporary production elements. There are nods to trap beats, piano-led ballads, and uptempo anthems—each unified by Ledisi’s dynamic vocal range and emotional sincerity.
Songs like “Love You Too” and “7 Days of Weak” offer emotionally potent reflections on romantic endurance, while “Making A Way” and “Heaven” emphasize spiritual fortitude. One of the standout tracks, “BLKWMN,” functions as a love letter to Black women, celebrating their resilience, elegance, and foundational roles in shaping culture. It’s both a protest and a prayer, delivered through poetic verses and a compelling beat.
In an interview about the album, Ledisi remarked, “This project is about walking in your purpose, honoring the journey, and speaking truth into the lives of those who’ve forgotten their worth.”
Television Performances and Appearances
To promote The Crown, Ledisi launched a media campaign that included high-profile television appearances. On May 12, 2025, she performed “7 Days of Weak” on The Kelly Clarkson Show, earning a standing ovation from both the audience and fellow artists.
Her live performances are known for their emotional honesty and vocal precision, and these televised segments helped introduce the album to a broader audience while reinforcing her place as a master vocalist in contemporary music.
Chart Performance and Reception
The album’s lead single, “Love You Too,” released on January 31, 2025, quickly climbed the charts, peaking at number 14 on the Adult R&B Songs chart. It received airplay across major urban adult contemporary stations and generated considerable buzz online.
The second single, “BLKWMN,” released on February 21, 2025, struck a timely cultural chord, debuting just days before Ledisi’s performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Super Bowl LIX. The timing helped cement the track’s message and magnified its reach among diverse listeners.
Critics have praised The Crown as a landmark project in Ledisi’s career. Reviewers highlighted the album’s thematic coherence, the maturity of its songwriting, and the power of her vocal performances. For many, it represents a return to form—and a progression into new creative territory.
Tour and Live Engagements
To support the album, Ledisi embarked on her “Love You Too Tour,” which began on May 28, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland. The tour includes stops in major cities across the U.S. and features a rotating lineup of supporting acts, including Marsha Ambrosius, Rahsaan Patterson, and Kindred the Family Soul.
The tour is scheduled to conclude on July 19, 2025, in Warsaw, signaling an ambitious expansion into international markets. Each performance features a carefully curated setlist drawn primarily from The Crown, interwoven with fan-favorite classics from her previous discography.
Track List Overview
- Daydreaming
- Love You Too
- Enuf
- All 4 U
- Let Go
- BLKWMN
- 7 Days of Weak
- Heaven
- Making A Way
- I Do
- The Crown (featuring Trombone Shorty)
A Milestone for Ledisi
The Crown represents not just a new album but a personal and artistic milestone for Ledisi. It encapsulates a message she has spent years refining—that purpose, identity, and perseverance can shape not only music but life itself. With this project, she reinforces her role as a torchbearer for authenticity, musical excellence, and emotional storytelling.
As Ledisi continues to tour and promote the record, The Crown is expected to cement its place in both her legacy and in the hearts of fans old and new.