Latasha Lee, Corpus Christi, Texas-bred, showed her mother, Michelle Crayton, at an early age that she was destined to perform. Latasha (who cites icons such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding as influences) knew her sound needed to contain the raw essence of these artists to complete her own vision.
Fast forward a few years to the age of 20 when she caught the attention of Universal Music Group signed platinum producer, Salih Williams.
In 2006, she signed to Salih Williams’ production company, Carnival Beats, and immediately started songwriting with him to create the Latasha Lee sound. In 2012, she made it to the top 50 spot on the top-rated television show X-Factor. In 2013, Latasha released her self-titled album on the Carnival Beats Soul imprint along with 17 compelling music videos on YouTube. Through extensive online and offline marketing, she developed a fast and still growing fan base. On October 4, 2013, Latasha Lee & The BlackTies performed live for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Ms. Lee has also been featured on many radio and blog sites such as: ThisIsRnB.com, Verbicide Magazine/UK, RedBullSoundSelect.com, Echoes Magazine/UK, the Bob Edward Show plus various internet radio and blog sites around the world!
Additionally, Latasha Lee & The BlackTies have performed throughout the US, drawing large crowds and leaving them wanting more. There is even a healthy buzz growing internationally in places like Holland, New Zealand, and the UK. Her soulful voice cuts cleanly and crisply through the music with a groove that slices directly to the heart with honest power. This music and her genuine heartfelt delivery come across with grit, teeth, heart, and soul!
http://modelbehaviors.com/song-of-the-week-latasha-lee/
http://www.soultracks.com/latasha-lee
As Texas native, Latasha Lee puts it…this is “music with teeth, heart, soul and big brass balls!” No doubt! Check out one of our favorites, ‘Pledging My Love
Red Bull Sound Select presents Latasha Lee & The Black Ties and more
JUST DISCOVERED! Latasha Lee and The Black Ties perform in ATX #FreeWeek
I originally met Latasha when we roomed together while we were taping for The X Factor Season 2. She was just the sweetest person which was rare in that setting lol. Aside from that she’s easily one of the best vocalist I’ve heard to date. Check out her video for “Left Hand Side” here:
Who’s that Brown Girl? Latasha Lee
“If you're a fan of retro soul and Motown sounds, Latasha Lee and her band The BlackTies got just what you need. A big admirer of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Lee offers melodies, style and visuals celebrating the greats. Check out some of her videos below and let us know what you think. Latasha Lee & The Blackties' self-titled album is out now on iTunes. www.afropunk.com
“The fabulous Latasha Lee is back with a new video, 'Stood Up', a lament about the eternal frustration of being left 'utterly alone' when that certain someone fails to follow through with previously made plans. Since we first featured her last December, the ever growing buzz she has created in the blogosphere and at events such as SXSW and the Austin Urban Music Festival with her retro-soul/Motown vibe, 'my influences were definitely Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Sam Cooke...Otis Redding and Gladys Knight', has seen her focused for the future on making 'more music, more videos, gaining a wider audience and just healing people and making people smile, that's what I want to do further in my caree. TheNext2Shine
Latasha Lee - How Losing X Factor USA Can Make You A Winner
LaTasha Lee – The next Amy Winehouse? We will soon see. Take a listen.
“Really, really diggin’ Latasha Lee & The Blackties. Ms. Lee has that throwback, soulful vocal tone that artists such as Adele and Amy Winehouse have brought back to the airwaves in recent years. Lee sites the late, great Etta James as one of her musical role models and you can hear the influence, still there is youthfulness in her voice that will allow her to connect to today’s radio audience with the right material. But, if Ms. Lee never goes the “radio friendly” route, then that’s alright because the style she’s working with fits her (and us) just fine. Looking forward to more from this artist. Check out her cover of Johnny Ace’s “Pledging My Love” below.”