(Photo: Google Images)
For Harriet is reporting that Grammy award-nominated singer Ledisi is addressing the controversy swirling around the snub heard and scene around the world for the Grammy’s decision to use Beyoncé in a performance of “Take My Hand Precious Lord” as a lead-in to “Glory” by John Legend and Common. Both songs appear on the “Selma” soundtrack, but Ledisi performed the film version and portrayed Mahalia Jackson on screen. Many fans believed that Ledisi should have performed the song at the Grammys and was slighted due to money, power and image. Ledisi responded with tact and class.
“What I will say and what I’m excited about is that I had the pleasure of playing an iconic figure in Selma, and the song, ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord,’ it’s been going on forever – starting with the queen Mahalia [Jackson], the queen of soul Aretha Franklin.”
She went on, “Then, I was able to portray and sing my version of the song, and now we have Beyonce. Her generation will now know the song, so I’m a part of history.”
John Legend confirmed that Beyoncé asked to perform the song and you don’t turn down Beyoncé.
We think it’s power, privilege, money and some shade in the form of colorism as it relates to the music industry and the broadcast.
Share your thoughts @ForHarriet or @TheBurtonWire.
Read more at For Harriet.
