Overview
Pieces of Me is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Ledisi. It was released on June 14, 2011, by Verve Forecast Records. Following a career hiatus which reignited her creativity, Ledisi was inspired to create a record with a basis in traditional rhythm and blues that stood apart from contemporary pop. Her collaborations with songwriters and record producers Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly and Rex Rideout produced a mellower tone, developing diverse vocal styles and influences from funk, hip hop, and soul music. Severing professional ties with her manager Bill Darlington and Mark Kaplan, Ledisi eschewed the music of her previous releases in favor of an intimate, personal album. Lyrical themes of Pieces of Me emphasize monogamy, female empowerment and self-reflection, a result of Ledisi considering a maturer message to contend artistic credibility.
Pieces of Me was promoted in mid-2011 by television performances and concert tours, such as Ledisi's debut headlining Pieces of Me Tour. The album received generally positive reviews by music critics. It was her first studio album to debut within the top-ten on the US Billboard 200, and it also reached number two on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album spawned four singles–"Pieces of Me", "So Into You", "Stay Together", and "Bravo". At the 54th Annual Grammy Awards (2012), Pieces of Me was nominated for Best R&B Album.
Background
In 2011, Ledisi changed her management to Kevin Gasser and John Dee of Benchmark Entertainment.
Recording and production
Ledisi began recording the album in late 2010. She recorded majority of the album at various studios in California including Entourage Studios, Glenwood Studios, NuSoul Productions, Vanilla Sky Studios, and White Lightning Studio. Describe as her most personal album, Ledisi executive produced the album along with long-time music collaborator Rex Rideout. In an interview with Billboard, Rideout stated "The challenge overall was to keep her individuality and message but increase the commercial appeal; to give the audience a slice of the dynamic performer that she is." She collaborated with songwriters and record producers that she had never worked in the past, including Salaam Remi, KayGee, Mike City, Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly, and Jon Jon Traxx. The album's production also saw the return of production duo Carvin & Ivan. She also worked with John Legend, who co-wrote "I Miss You Now".
Jaheim appeared on the duet "Stay Together". Chuck Harmony, who co-produced the song "Pieces of Me", told Billboard magazine, "She's on her way to the mainstream. "It's a radio-friendly record with a singalong kind of melody that works with her powerful, clear voice."
Release and promotion
dedication concert (October 2011) In May 2011, Ledisi appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to announced the upcoming release of Pieces of Me. She also performed the lead single "Pieces of Me" and "Alright". On June 13, 2011, Ledisi performed "Pieces of Me" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Pieces of Me was released by Verve Forecast on June 14, 2011. On July 17, 2011, she performed a brief set list of songs from the album on Walmart Soundcheck. In November 2011, she appeared on Verses & Flow to perform "Pieces of Me".
Singles
The album's titled-track "Pieces of Me" was released as the album's lead single on April 5, 2011. "Pieces of Me" attempted to crossover on the pop chart but only reached number 114 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was more successful on the R&B charts. "Pieces of Me" peaked at number nineteen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number two on the Adult R&B Songs chart. On June 14, 2011, she released "So Into You" as the second single. Although the song failed to chart, the music video for "So Into You" which was directed by Erica D. Hayes, was released to YouTube on September 19, 2011. "Stay Together", a duet with Jaheim, was released as a radio-only single in July 2011. The song peaked at number four on the Adult R&B Songs chart and twenty-three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In February 2012, Ledisi released "Bravo" as the album's final single.
The song charted at number fifty-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twelve on Adult R&B Songs chart. The accompanying music video for "Bravo", directed by Erica D. Hayes, was released on March 12, 2012.
Tour
In February 2011, Ledisi toured as the opening act of American singer Kem's Intimacy Tour. After the tour concluded in July 2011, Ledisi prepared for her first headlining concert tour. In October 2011, she embarked on her debut concert tour the Pieces of Me Tour. The tour visited twenty-seven venues during its North American and European run. After the Pieces of Me Tour concluded in January 2012, Ledisi took a brief hiatus before embarking on the B.G.T.Y. Tour in June 2012.
Critical reception
Metacritic gave the album 75 out of 100 based on 6 critic reviews as of June 2011. AllMusic's Andy Kellman found that songs such as “Hate Me” is "a hot Southern soul ballad and “Shut Up” packs forthright attitude with a roomy but unshakeable beat, yet the album does not quite have the bite of Turn Me Loose. It could use a couple throw-you-around-the-room rockers in the vein of Turn Me Loose's “Runnin’” and “Knockin’,” although some listeners will be so struck by the sustained high level of confidence and grace that it won’t be an issue." Evelyn McDonnell of the Los Angeles Times gave the album a three star rating, stating, "the deployment of clichéd lyrics and programmatic rhythm tracks undermines her message of determined individualism."
Accolades
- ! scope="row" rowspan="3" 2012 rowspan="3" Grammy Award Best R&B Album Pieces of Me rowspan="3" - Best R&B Song "Pieces of Me" - Best R&B Performance "Pieces of Me" -
Commercial performance
In the United States, Pieces of Me debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 36,298 copies.
Track listing
;Notes denotes co-producer ;Samples *"Coffee" contains excerpts from "Black Frost" as written and performed by Grover Washington, Jr.