Singer Leon Bridges On Preserving Soul Music & Using Love As His Muse
Leon Bridges is a student of soul. One spin of his debut album, Coming Home, makes that clear.
His voice, a riveting time travel to days of old, emerges from an era where music made you feel--an era before his time.
Often compared to Sam Cooke, it might come as a surprise that the 28-year-old Texas crooner grew up on '90s R&B fueled by Usher to Ginuwine and Dru Hill to 112. Or that as an aspiring choreographer, he never anticipated he'd sign a deal with Columbia Records neither more earn two Grammy nominations for his first project.
"I knew that I had a gift, and that's why I was persistent with it," Leon tells me of his foray into singing. "Honestly, in Fort Worth, there isn't an infrastructure to make it even if you wanted to, so for me, it was about taking it day by day and working to get better."
Leon is, indeed, a far cry from bussing tables to make ends meet but no less humble as made evident throughout our call. Even with an Australian tour behind him and tons of promo up ahead, the Fort Worth star is measured in tone as he touches on his journey to his second album, Good Thing.
Had the onetime dance major not tried his hand at jam sessions with musicians he met in college, it's possible we wouldn't be holding our conversation this Tuesday afternoon. "Affirmation from the people around me sparked my interest in songwriting, so I took it a little further. Then, also being inspired by Making the Band 4 with P. Diddy was one of the pivotal points for me," he says with a laugh.
While sharpening his talent at local open mics, where he was discovered by White Denim guitarist Austin Jenkins, Leon would later find the depths of his voice within classic soul. "As a black man, I felt it was my duty to create that kind of music and bring it to the mainstream," he expresses.
"As a black man, I felt it was my duty to create that kind of music and bring it to the mainstream."
With songs like "Coming Home" and "Better Man," off his 2015 album, Leon accomplished just that as he lured national attention for his retro sound and refreshing takes on love. Ask him about the four-letter word, though, and he'll admit he's still taking notes. "I'm definitely no expert on relationships," he confesses. "The last relationship I've been in was in 2014."
While his career is a top priority at this time, Leon isn't shutting down the opportunity to let love in if it comes his way. Nor is he shying away from the complexity of the topic in his music. On Good Thing, he paints a vast picture of the rollercoaster ride romance can be. Sometimes it's daunting ("Bet Ain't Worth The Hand"), other times fulfilling ("If It Feels Good, Then It Must Be"). Sometimes we're ready to test the waters with new interests ("Shy"); other times we're left to mend bruised hearts from the ones we trusted ("Forgive You").
More than a personal diary, Leon notes that his music is ultimately for the people.
Whether he's writing a song or arranging a video, others are on his mind at all turns. With the help of director Natalie Rae, for instance, he released a timely visual addressing sexual harassment for his lead single "Bad Bad News" this March. "There are some women who are close to me that have been sexually violated, so I thought it was important to present that in the video but also show how the woman (Paloma Elsesser) is better than and persevered through the disrespect," he says.
But it's the album's final track, "Georgia to Texas," that reveals what has shaped Leon's outlook on love the most and nurtured his ability to tell stories beyond his own with such precision.
On the stirring number, Leon hits critical points of his origin story as he pulls his sophomore effort in for landing. In under five minutes, he traces his fleeting days in Atlanta, a difficult move to the Lone Star State (which made him hyper-aware of his blackness), and his family's modest financial situation. "Growing up, it was hard to see my mother raise me and my siblings on her own," he reflects. "It taught me the importance of hard work and the value of loving others."
It was love, the singer explains, that kept them afloat in an ocean of hardship.
This isn't the first time Leon has made mention of his family on wax. On Coming Home, he dedicated the song "Lisa Sawyer" to his mother and "Twistin' & Groovin'" to his grandparents, whom he reveals he never had the chance to meet. "I'm very proud of my family history," he affirms. "I try to keep their stories alive within my music."
"I'm very proud of my family history. I try to keep their stories alive within my music."
What is new is his current detour from the 1960s feel he rekindled more than three years ago. "I wanted to make an album that's reflective of the different styles of R&B that I love," he describes Good Thing, citing The Whispers and Kool & The Gang among his influences this time around.
Just like his panoramic view on love and selfless approach to storytelling, Good Thing proves Leon's discography cannot be boxed in--something he hopes will be felt in years to come. "I want my music to transcend time. I make what's honest to me and true to who I am," he muses. "I feel it's a style that's universal. I hope when I'm gone that people will be able to connect with my tunes."
For more Leon, follow him on Instagram. And check out his sophomore album Good Thing, out now.
Featured image by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Hilton Honors
Shanice Davis is a writer from New York, dedicated to illuminating women of color and Caribbean culture with her pen. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @alwayshanice.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images