Music has been a part of John Legend since early childhood. Born John Stephens in Springfield, Ohio, John Legend began playing the piano at age four, by age five he was singing in the church choir. But it wasn’t until a friend introduced him to Lauryn Hill that his career took off. After performing an impromptu rendition of Stevie Wonders, “Don’t you worry?” He was picked to play piano on Hill’s world tour. After playing on Lauryn’s “Everything Is Everything” from her epic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), Legend began an ascent that saw him working with such artists as Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, and the Black Eyed Peas, among others. With a slick moniker and Motown-era sound, Legend's mix of old-school virtue and hip-hop swagger has made him a house hold name.
EBM: You’ve been a professional soul singer for a relatively short period of time, but you’re already being compared to the greats. Can that be intimidating?
John Legend: Somewhat! If they’re already comparing me to the “greats,” what do I have left to work toward? It can be misleading! Someone said to me the other day that I remind them of Marvin Gaye, and although I accepted the compliment I quickly brushed it off. I have so much work to do before I can be mentioned in the same breath as a Marvin Gaye, Sam Cook, etc.
EBM: Your entire camp is known for pushing the boundaries musically and with your new album evolver, sonically you’ve done just that, how difficult is it to stay creative and continue to challenge yourself artistically?
John Legend: I don’t want to say it’s easy, but it’s easier for me because I’m around very creative people. And I think we challenge each other from that standpoint, which makes it easier.
EBM: Your image is squeaky clean or at least you’ve been able to avoid much of the media sensationalization, do you carefully choose where you hang out?
John Legend: I don’t know about the squeaky clean image, but I am private and in that sense I’m low key. And the media isn’t as aggressive in NY.
EBM: One of our affiliates said that you record tons of music before deciding what works for the album? What happens to the music that doesn’t make the cut?
John Legend: It’s not uncommon for an artist to record a lot of material, and in many cases the music doesn’t make the album, but what I try to do is stay in record mode most of the time and the left over material may be shopped or used at a later time.
EBM: The album is being well received. Rolling Stone wrote, “Legend has a unique ability to create feel good music, not just romantic songs, but that down home soul music that touches ordinary people.” What does that do for you?
John Legend: It’s always good to hear a good review, but I’m careful when listening to “critics,” and placing too much value in what they say because for every good review there’s a bad one and I just can’t allow that to affect my music.
EBM: When you’re in the studio recording is that how you build your songs, on the notion that you’re a soul singer?
John Legend: I am a soul singer, and I write music from the soul. Yet those labels are misleading. A lot of times they used those labels to box you in and make you a particular kind of musician. Can you be a soul singer and sing country music? Yes! Rock, Yes! And if I decide to work with various artist I should be able to and freely.
EBM: You’ve been in a somewhat lengthy relationship with a stunningly attractive woman. Does she influence your creativity?
John Legend: CeCe (Chrissy Teigen) is a special lady, she is very kind hearted and comfortable in her skin so I guess when you’re in a healthy relationship its inspiring, so from that perspective I guess she does.
EBM: Is marriage a possibility?
John Legend: We’ll see. I think it’s important for the security of our relationship we make those kinds of decisions privately.
EBM: You mentioned being comfortable in your own skin and for you that would seem easy. With six Grammy’s, Billboard awards and every other music award an artist can receive, what’s left? How are you able to manage this amazing run?
John Legend: My faith, and just knowing that it can all be gone tomorrow. I try not to get lost in the accolades, because they’re not always substantive. I have a genuine love for music, with or without the awards. Though I appreciate the gestures and recognition from my peers the music I make is almost selfishly given. What I mean by that is music is therapeutic and if no one listened I would still sing.
EBM: Do you feel artist like actors are forced into a stereotype which prevents them from being creative? It’s like they become typecast.
John Legend: I do! But I also feel like it is the artist responsibility to show multiple sides of their creativity. And that’s why so much has been made about Kanye. He has done that; it’s very difficult to label him a rapper. If you ask him, he would say he was a rapper, and a rather good one might I add, but he is so creative in that he could influence any form of music. This has been said before and in fact I read an article recently by Common and he hit the nail on the head when describing Kanye: his genius is in his ability to capture the best sound with the perfect blend of sounds to create an opus. He has a remarkable ear.
EBM: But at the cost of being crass?
John Legend: Or maybe he’s just misunderstood. However, Kanye is more than able to speak on his behalf. I can’t speak about his relationship with the media.
EBM: Maybe you can arrange an interview?
John Legend: (Laughing) I’m not sure about that, but good luck.
EBM: Before you made a name for yourself, what was some of the advice Kanye gave you?
John Legend: Be passionate about your music! Don’t water it down for the sake of the suits because no one understands your music better than you. There are people who criticize him for whatever reason, but his passion for music is undeniable. And his contribution to music is unquestionable.
EBM: You mentioned that you write from the heart, does that mean you focus on ballads?
John Legend: No not necessarily, it just means that most of my music is personal and I treat each song with care.
EBM: Recently you commented about artists making excuses for lagging sales, which was out of character for you because rarely do you engage in industry politics. Was it something that you felt strongly about and had to say?
John Legend: I think I said that more so from a pure musician standpoint. And although record sales are down we have to improve the quality of material we produce, and if we do that the other aspect should take care of itself.
EBM: Your growth has been tremendous, with a brand new deal with CBS and your imprint, Home School Records what can we expect?
John Legend: Estelle is doing really well right now and I’ve just signed my brother Vaughn Anthony. He’ll be opening some of my shows on tour. But I just want to keep moving and hopefully keep growing.
EBM: Mr. Legend we appreciate your time, and for those that want to learn more about you and hear new music where can they go?
John Legend: They can go to www.johnlegend.com, and pick-up the album, evolver. We put a lot of work into making a great album… It’s been real.
