Kiana Ledé is back with a new album that showcases her growth as an artist and a person. Grudges, released on June 16 via The Heavy Group/Republic Records, is the follow-up to her 2020 debut Kiki, which was one of the best R&B albums of that year. Grudges is a 17-track project that explores the themes of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and empowerment through the lens of the Phoenix-raised and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter.
Ledé does not shy away from expressing her emotions and experiences on Grudges. She opens the album with a fiery intro titled “Bitter B**ch,” where she vents about her past relationships and declares her self-worth. She then transitions into songs like “Irresponsible,” “Promise Me,” and “Gone” featuring Bryson Tiller, where she reflects on the mistakes and regrets that come with love. She also collaborates with some of the biggest names in R&B, such as Ella Mai on the catchy “Jealous,” Khalid on the heartfelt “Where You Go,” and Joyce Wrice, Sinead Harnett, Kyle Dion, and Destin Conrad on the self-titled track “Grudges.”
One of the most powerful songs on the album is “Deserve,” where Ledé bravely shares her story of being raped and how she coped with the trauma. In an interview with Fault Magazine, she said that writing this song was the most emotionally challenging for her, but also the closest to revenge she’s going to get. She said that she had to forgive herself for some of the choices she made after the incident and release the grudge she held against herself.
Grudges is not only a collection of songs, but also a journey of self-discovery and healing for Ledé. She said that she has lived more life and processed her experiences from a more mature perspective since her debut album. She also said that she has accepted that she’s a work in progress and that she’s learning to love herself more every day.
Grudges is a testament to Ledé’s talent and resilience as an artist and a person. She delivers honest and relatable lyrics, soulful vocals, and catchy melodies that will make you feel every emotion. Grudges is an album that you don’t want to miss.
About Kiana Ledé
Kiana Ledé is an American singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame after winning Kidz Bop’s Kidz Star USA talent competition in 2011. She then signed with RCA Records and released her first EP, Soulfood Sessions, in 2015. She also starred in several TV shows, such as Scream and All About The Washingtons. In 2018, she signed with Republic Records and released her second EP, Selfless, which featured the hit single “Ex.” In 2020, she released her debut album Kiki, which received critical acclaim and featured collaborations with Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Kehlani, and more. She has also been nominated for several awards, such as BET Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. She is currently one of the most promising voices in R&B music.
