Best NEW artist?: Ledisi, the perfect example of how the Bay Area neglects its talent

I was floored when I read last years Grammy nominations list. Astounded. Gasped a little, just enough for a slight smile to crack.

Ledis: Best New Artist. Wow. These fools are about ten years late on this one.

Now called "Solstice," a yuppy bar/resturant that serves all too familiar "california" cusine was once a jazz spot called Rasselas ( now located on Fillmore and Geary). Lets take it back about ten years ago... I was thirteen, smoking cigarettes and buying Malibu across the street at the corner store and pouring out half of a Johnny Rockets Milk Shake to mix with it, sneaking in through the delivery entrance. Ledisi performed twice a month on Fridays and I was just beyond intrigued. She took the standards to another level.

Fast forward to last year, rain cold day on Haight. The streets are black, the rain mixing tabacco residue, ash, dirt, shit and trash, and I am cursing myself for wearing my new Nike's.. baby pink with gray and black.. of all the days. I seek refuge in Amoeba and begin my normal browzzzzzing around. On the self, the new Ledisi. She looked all glamed out. Expensive pictures, no longer on local Oakland record label, now sporting Verve as her "Big Brother."

The opening track is "Been Here." I love it. You go woman. Hell yeah you have been here, where the hell was everyone else? She rolls into "Alright," which was on 102.9 for a hot minute, and quite honestly one of my least favorites.. they forgot to consult me first.. then it goes into "Think Of You." Bomb. The hard hat kills it, and while being surprising catchy, still maintains musical integrity.. other favorites are "The One," and "in the Morning."

Crack addict Amy Wine-o won this award which is bullshit. Mark Ronson is the only one that deserved a freakin Grammy and it is unfortunate people like Ledisi do win.. it would get her the exposure she deserves and allow for someone not over-exposed to be exposed in a honorable way..

She is playing with Musiq Soulchild in September....