- 2022-09-13
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MUSIC
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ John Legend Releases New Album “LEGEND”: Streaming
American singer-songwriter John Legend released his eighth studio album “LEGEND” on September 9, 2022.
“LEGEND” is the double album consisting of two discs, one sensual and free, the other stable and home-bound.
The album comprises 24-track, featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross, JID, Free Nationals, Jhené Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign, Amber Mark, Jazmine Sullivan, Saweetie, Muni Long, Jada Kingdom, Rapsody, and Ledisi.
John Legend described the album as “suffused with an unapologetic spirit of sensuality and joy, informed by the full vulnerability of pain, praise and healing.”
He continued, “I had to earn that, to live up to it by delivering in the performance and the music. And this is me saying I'm proud of who I am, I'm confident in the work I've done, and I'm just going to declare it.”- The album features his new music with the essence of Black art and ancestry.
“I never feel divorced from my ancestors,” he explained of the album. “I have such reverence for my musical heritage, that I don't feel like I need to leave it behind to be adventurous, or creative, or to try something new. When I'm creating something new, I'm still hearing the voices and influences of Stevie, Marvin, Curtis, Aretha, Nina, Donny and Prince. Black musicians have always been at the forefront of innovation in music. But where I think hip hop is always about what's new, with soul music, we are a bit more nostalgic … and hopefully what we've been able to do with LEGEND is that synthesis of looking forward, but also connecting with where we come from.” -
He shared on social media, “LEGEND is a double album that began its journey in early 2021. We were spending a lot of time with our closest loved ones, grieving the ones we lost, but also looking forward to a brighter time when we could better protect ourselves from the virus that disrupted all of our lives. We were ready to go back outside! Ready to celebrate again. And I was ready to make music!
I spent hours upon hours in my Huntley Studio with some of the most gifted co-writers, musicians and producers. It's an expression of deep appreciation and understanding of all the music and influences that made me the artist I am, my wife and family, and all the loves in my life, all the stories that led me here.
LEGEND is full of sensuality, joy and celebration. But our lives are more complex than that. My family and I have also been challenged by loss and grief and pain. I wanted to make space on this album to be vulnerable, spiritual and reflective. I needed this music to help me heal, and to hopefully help others heal. I brought my full self to this album, and that's why I decided to make it my first (sorta) self-titled album.
I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I do and share it with you. I'm so proud of what we've created. I hope you love LEGEND, and feel it like I do.” - source : Apple Music
