"Sporting a humongous afro and strong soul-infused vocals even bigger than her hair, Leela James has combined her interest for ‘60s and ‘70s soul music with a modern twist, crafting some of the most powerful and catchy R&B music of the day. Catapulted into the public spotlight with the 2005 album A Change is Gonna Come, James has crooned her way to the top of the Billboard charts, promising even more of her sophisticated hits in the near future.James grew up on a strict diet of ‘60s and ‘70s soul music, heavily influenced by artists Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke and the like. Embarking upon a musical career of her own in the 1990s, James was snatched up by RuffNation Records, taken in by Warner Bros. when the label went under but still battling just to keep her head above the water for nearly four years. Eventually, Leela James kept fighting the system and came out with the commanding album A Change is Gonna Come in 2005, released under Warner Bros. and named after the title track of the album, a cover of Sam Cooke's 1965 smash single. An album about facing and overcoming obstacles, A Change is Gonna Come was significant to James' stature; quickly thereafter, the budding vocalist's music career skyrocketed into oblivion. The album reached the number three slot on the Top Heatseekers chart, and the leading single ""Music"" debuted at number six on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, as well. A Change is Gonna Come features the help of R&B heavyweights Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq, James Poyser, Chucky Thompson and Wyclef Jean, an all-star cast for a knockout artist and her raved-about debut album. Relentlessly pushing onward with her music career, Leela James' star hasn't dulled any since her 2005 release."