Critically acclaimed, multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer/songwriterJohn Legend, hails from Ohio.
His work has garnered him twelve Grammy Awards, a Tony Award, five Soul Train Awards, along with countless others with a special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
A graduate of University of Pennsylvania, John Legend participated in a wide range of musical activities while in college.
After college, John was introduced to then up-and-coming rapper Kanye West, who quickly signed John to his G.O.O.D. Music imprint and hired him to sing vocal hooks on some of his music.
(Billboard Magazine)
John Legend started gaining momentum through a series of similar collaborations with established artists, adding vocals to an impressive list of chart-topping hits including Kanye West’s “Never Let Me Down,” Jay-Z’s “Encore” and back-up vocals on Alicia Keys‘ 2003 song, “You Don’t Know My Name.”
John’s debut album, “Get Lifted,” was released in December of 2004 via Columbia Records.
“Once Again” followed in 2006 and on October 28th, 2008, 15 years ago today; John Legend released his third album entitled “Evolver.”
The album features Kanye West, Brandy, Estelle and André 3000, Ne-Yo and Buju Banton.
The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top Albums chart, with 132,823 copies sold the first week. The album was certified platinum and released four singles. Led by the double platinum “Green Light” featuring André 3000.
Followed by “If You’re Out There,” “Everybody Knows,” and “This Time.”
Aries from UB spoke to the gifted John Legend for the release of “Evolver.”
John speaks on how he approached the album, why he entitled it “Evolver” and mentions a video for “Quickly” with Brandy, that we never saw and more!
UrbanBridgez.com: All of your albums have been different from the previous, but at the same time kept the same John Legend formula, what kind of album did you set out to record with Evolver? John Legend: It’s hard for me to set out to record a certain type of album, so I really just start it and see what happens. Once I get in the studio it’s always a collective collaboration with me and the people I work with. I’m always out to do something fresh and new. So once we start working, we just see what happens.
UrbanBridgez.com: Why the title Evolver? John Legend: Well it’s kinda like you just said, I always try to be different from the previous album, so with the title I thought it was different. As well as it defines the album and show’s my growth.
UrbanBridgez.com: What’s the next single? John Legend: We just shot the video for Everybody Knows, so we’ll be releasing that next. Then we’re shooting the video for Quickly with Brandy next.
UrbanBridgez.com: Brandy’s actually one of our favorites, how did that collaboration come about and what was it like recording with her? John Legend: Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to actually record with her in the studio. I thought she would be great for the record and she was. Brandy is one of the best singers of our time. I thought she would fit well on the track so we reached out to her. She sounds so perfect on the song, she killed it! I knew she was about to release her album soon, so we thought this would be a perfect way to get her back out there a little earlier.
UrbanBridgez.com: We recently spoke with Jon B and he said you inspire him as an artist, who inspires you? John Legend: Oh real cool! Man it’s so many people like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles to current artists like Kanye West. All those artists are very creative and I get something from them all.
(Billboard Magazine)
UrbanBridgez.com: What’s been the best and worst parts about your success? John Legend: The best part is doing what I love to do everyday. Just being able to perform on stage and creating music. I don’t know what the worse thing is. I think maybe the fact is people expect you to continue to do what you’ve done in the past and to continue to be just as successful. It pushes you.
UrbanBridgez.com: Now that Obama is our President elect, you actually performed at the DNC, how was that experience? John Legend: It was really inspiring. With him winning now, it’s wonderful! Just with how our country has been and now to have the person in office, we pushed so hard to get there. It feels so much better. I’m proud of the work we’ve done.
UrbanBridgez.com: A lot of people are looking forward to your brother Vaughn’s album, can you share any details on it? John Legend: Oh yeah, he’s going to be opening some dates for me on the tour and his single is going to be dropping really soon.
UrbanBridgez.com: What kind of show can fans expect when you hit the road later this month? John Legend: Man just a powerful show! The band this time around is great! We’ve just put together a great all around show this time. I think the fans are really going to enjoy it. Just the blend of how the music flows and the band is much better then before.
UrbanBridgez.com: I know you’re performing on Dancing with The Stars soon, have you been watching the show this season? John Legend: Actually no, I haven’t watched the show. I’m looking forward to the performance. I’m performing with dancers in a choreographed number. That’s really different for me, so I’m excited.
UrbanBridgez.com: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? John Legend: When is that (laughs)? No but I just enjoy relaxing and doing the norm like having dinner and a movie.
UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans? John Legend: I’m so grateful for how supportive they’ve been for me so far. I’m very excited to be hitting road this month and meeting them!
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