Following a career hiatus which reignited her creativity, Ledisi was inspired to create a record with a basis in traditional rhythm and blues that stood apart from contemporary pop.

Her collaborations with songwriters and record producers Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly and Rex Rideout produced a mellower tone, developing diverse vocal styles and influences from funk, hip hop, and soul music.

Severing professional ties with her manager Bill Darlington and Mark Kaplan, Ledisi eschewed the music of her previous releases in favor of an intimate, personal album.

Lyrical themes of Pieces of Me emphasize monogamy, female empowerment and self-reflection, a result of Ledisi considering a maturer message to contend artistic credibility.

In 2011, Ledisi changed her management to Kevin Gasser and John Dee of Benchmark Entertainment.

[1] In an interview with Billboard, Rideout stated "The challenge overall was to keep her individuality and message but increase the commercial appeal; to give the audience a slice of the dynamic performer that she is.

In May 2011, Ledisi appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to announced the upcoming release of Pieces of Me.

A special iTunes version of the album was also released which includes the standard track list and a song titled "One Step Ahead".

[1] On the same day of June 14, Ledisi appeared on The Mo'Nique Show and performed her song "Shut Up".

[9] The accompanying music video for "Pieces of Me", directed by Nzingha Stewart, was released to YouTube on June 13, 2011.

[12] Although the song failed to chart, the music video for "So Into You" which was directed by Erica D. Hayes, was released to YouTube on September 19, 2011.

[14] AllMusic's Andy Kellman found that songs such as “Hate Me” is "a hot Southern soul ballad and “Shut Up” packs forthright attitude with a roomy but unshakeable beat, yet the album does not quite have the bite of Turn Me Loose.

It could use a couple throw-you-around-the-room rockers in the vein of Turn Me Loose's “Runnin’” and “Knockin’,” although some listeners will be so struck by the sustained high level of confidence and grace that it won’t be an issue.