John Legend Album Get Lifted
Aleck Cobbs
John Legend felt the world could use a little pick-me-up when he released his seventh album, "Bigger Love," on June 11, 2020, as protests filled the streets in response to the murder of another Black man, George Floyd, at the hands of the police in the midst of a global pandemic.
"My production company is called Get Lifted. So I definitely think there's a lot of that in my approach to music. I want people to feel uplifted when they come to my show, to feel a sense of connection. Music can bring us together in some crazy times."
"But I also try to focus on where there are wins, you know? Sometimes it's on a personal level, but even when I think about working for a more just world, more equality, more opportunity, my team and I focus on a lot of local issues and a lot of elections across the states and local communities."
"I see some of these voting laws as setbacks," he says. "But even when you see that, you can still look at the times when we've been able to triumph over some of these challenges and be buoyed by that."
"Honestly, I don't take it for granted ever," Legend says. "I know what it's like to vote for these things. I know what the voting body looks like. And to know that so many of my peers voted for me, it means a lot to me still."
A lot of the subject matter on "Bigger Love" was inspired by Legend's relationship with his wife, Chrissy Teigen, while the music finds him drawing on the heroes that have shaped his sound from the beginning and "been a part of my life for 40 years now."
"I'm also just inspired by working with other people, the collaborations. So many impressive people that I was able to collaborate with on this album and then on the next one and on the previous albums. They fuel me and inspire me."
"We've had some loss and some difficult times as a family. And of course the world has too. Some of the songs are responding to that grief and trying to find comfort and solace when you're going through a tough time. We lost a baby. We lost people to COVID."
"With streaming, we're able to know very specifically what songs they listen to the most and which ones they gravitate toward. So that's a little bit helpful, knowing which ones the fans love the most."
"I love working with young talent. I remember what it was like to be them. So seeing their journey and being a part of that journey, helping them figure out who they are and what they want to do, how to best effectuate that, it's a really cool opportunity."
"It's a different kind of way of looking at the business, because you're outside of yourself a little more. And I think it's helpful to have that lens and apply it back to my own career sometimes, too. I think it makes me a little bit better at thinking the A&R side of things."
John Legend, father of two and EGOT winner, invites us to a celebration of dads with a one-hour variety special, "John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father's Day," airing SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. The evening will be a tribute to fathers everywhere and will blend live musical performances with some much-needed levity and touching moments, and plenty of surprises. John will perform new material from his highly-anticipated new album, "Bigger Love," due out June 19. Some of John's celebrity friends, and fellow dads, will join him for a hilarious "Fatherly Feud" game. Chrissy Teigen, John's wife and co-ruler of their little kingdom, will make sure viewers have the perfect gift for dad, in case they forgot. Additionally, John and Chrissy's kids, Luna and Miles, are going to pamper their father in ways that only kids under age 5 can, and much more.
Special guest appearances in "John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father's Day" include Anthony Anderson, Ike Barinholtz, Common, Michael Ealy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jim Gaffigan, Tony Gonzalez, Lil Rel Howery, Taran Killam, Ne-Yo, Shaquille O'Neal, Patton Oswalt, Scottie Pippen, Ahmad Rashad, Andy Roddick, Deion Sanders, Marlon Wayans, Stevie Wonder and Roy Wood Jr.
"Some of us may wonder if it's okay to laugh right now," said Legend. "But music and humor have always lifted our spirits during tough times. This special celebrates love and the connection to the ones you care about most. I hope it brings joy and laughter into everyone's homes this Father's Day."
"Now, more than ever, is a time to celebrate family and togetherness," said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. "John has an immeasurable talent, and we know he will entertain and unite families far and wide."
Multiplatinum artist John Legend has garnered 11 GRAMMY Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award and an Emmy Award, making Legend the first African American man to earn an EGOT. Legend has released six celebrated albums including "Get Lifted" (2004), "Once Again" (2006), "Evolver" (2008), "Love in the Future" (2013), "Darkness and Light" (2016) and "A Legendary Christmas" (2018). Legend starred in NBC's "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" in 2018, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special and nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor (Limited Series). He joined "The Voice" for season 16 (2019) and recently completed season 18. Legend is a partner in Get Lifted Film Co., serving as an executive producer for "Southern Rites," "United Skates," WGN America's "Underground," and films "Southside with You" and "La La Land." As a philanthropist, Legend initiated the #FREEAMERICA campaign in 2015 to change the national conversation surrounding our country's misguided criminal justice policies and to end mass incarceration. He is currently gearing up to release his new album, "Bigger Love," on June 19.
"John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father's Day" is produced by Done+Dusted, Get Lifted Film Co. and Friends At Work. John Legend, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius, Katy Mullan, Erik Flannigan, Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin are executive producers on the special.
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