Interview: John Legend – Singer, Songwriter and Producer
by Clayton Perry
In less than a single decade, John Legend has made a mark upon the music industry that will never be erased. As a six-time GRAMMY Award winner, Legend has garnered respect not only for his chart-topping singles and smooth, velvety vocals, but he has also become one of the last mainstream vanguards of contemporary soul music. From Get Lifted, his 2004 debut, to Wake Up, (2010), his innovative collaboration with The Roots, John has blurred the lines of hip-hop, soul and inspirational music with seemingly little effort.
Outside of the world of music, John Legend has become well-known for his philanthropic efforts as well. In 2007, he started the “Show Me Campaign” and partnered with The Gap’s “Project Red” initiative. In the year that followed, he would also become heavily active in President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, where his performances of “If You’re Out There” and “Yes We Can” at the Democratic National Convention stood out as classic moments in our nation’s socio-political history. More recently, Legend has lent his celebrity and support to Harlem Village Academies, which was created to change the lives of children – and to change the world.
As Columbia Records’ promotional machine revved up for Wake Up, John Legend managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on childhood inspirations, America’s “invisible” population, and members of the Roots collective.
Clayton Perry: Considering all of your philanthropic efforts, it is not surprising that you are co-creator of Wake Up, a politically-driven concept album that you recorded with The Roots. When you look back on your life, is there a particular person or event that you credit for sparking such a high level of social engagement and social consciousness?
John Legend: With me, it all started as a kid, when my parents used to take me to the library. We would read about people that were making big changes – historically – in the nation. We read about the Civil Rights Movement and people who stood up for justice and spoke up for poor and disenfranchised people. So I’ve always drawn my inspiration from people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglass, and countless others who were bold and daring to go against all odds. So I have always believed in that and these people have inspired me to become a better person and a better citizen.
Clayton Perry: Since your album is entitled “Wake Up,” why do you think so many people have fallen asleep?
John Legend: Well, you know, sometimes people just get caught up in their own daily lives, which I can completely understand. Sometimes people are struggling. Sometimes people are trying to raise families. And they are understandably focusing on themselves and their immediate surroundings. And so that is part of it. Then, when I think about what is going on politically, I think a lot of the time, people are turned off and confused when they see what is going on in Washington. They see some of the games that are being played, some of the sniping back and forth, and some of the selfish behavior by some of their politicians. It makes them not want to even deal with [the political process] and look away and eventually become disengaged. And there are many other factors why people may tune out from a broader perspective. But with this particular album and the work that I do, I am arguing that we should care about people outside of our families and outside of our communities. We should care about what is going on in the world. When we see people that are impoverished and people who are dealt an unfair hand, then if we have the power to help them, we should try to do that.
Read the Full Interview @ Clayton Perry's Interview Exclusives
by Clayton Perry
In less than a single decade, John Legend has made a mark upon the music industry that will never be erased. As a six-time GRAMMY Award winner, Legend has garnered respect not only for his chart-topping singles and smooth, velvety vocals, but he has also become one of the last mainstream vanguards of contemporary soul music. From Get Lifted, his 2004 debut, to Wake Up, (2010), his innovative collaboration with The Roots, John has blurred the lines of hip-hop, soul and inspirational music with seemingly little effort.
Outside of the world of music, John Legend has become well-known for his philanthropic efforts as well. In 2007, he started the “Show Me Campaign” and partnered with The Gap’s “Project Red” initiative. In the year that followed, he would also become heavily active in President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, where his performances of “If You’re Out There” and “Yes We Can” at the Democratic National Convention stood out as classic moments in our nation’s socio-political history. More recently, Legend has lent his celebrity and support to Harlem Village Academies, which was created to change the lives of children – and to change the world.
As Columbia Records’ promotional machine revved up for Wake Up, John Legend managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on childhood inspirations, America’s “invisible” population, and members of the Roots collective.
Clayton Perry: Considering all of your philanthropic efforts, it is not surprising that you are co-creator of Wake Up, a politically-driven concept album that you recorded with The Roots. When you look back on your life, is there a particular person or event that you credit for sparking such a high level of social engagement and social consciousness?
John Legend: With me, it all started as a kid, when my parents used to take me to the library. We would read about people that were making big changes – historically – in the nation. We read about the Civil Rights Movement and people who stood up for justice and spoke up for poor and disenfranchised people. So I’ve always drawn my inspiration from people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglass, and countless others who were bold and daring to go against all odds. So I have always believed in that and these people have inspired me to become a better person and a better citizen.
Clayton Perry: Since your album is entitled “Wake Up,” why do you think so many people have fallen asleep?
John Legend: Well, you know, sometimes people just get caught up in their own daily lives, which I can completely understand. Sometimes people are struggling. Sometimes people are trying to raise families. And they are understandably focusing on themselves and their immediate surroundings. And so that is part of it. Then, when I think about what is going on politically, I think a lot of the time, people are turned off and confused when they see what is going on in Washington. They see some of the games that are being played, some of the sniping back and forth, and some of the selfish behavior by some of their politicians. It makes them not want to even deal with [the political process] and look away and eventually become disengaged. And there are many other factors why people may tune out from a broader perspective. But with this particular album and the work that I do, I am arguing that we should care about people outside of our families and outside of our communities. We should care about what is going on in the world. When we see people that are impoverished and people who are dealt an unfair hand, then if we have the power to help them, we should try to do that.
Read the Full Interview @ Clayton Perry's Interview Exclusives
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