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John Legend.
 Not since D'angelo has a male neo-soul singer-songwriter make such an impact in the world of pop music. John Legend has burst through the over-hyped and commercialised world of r'n'b by producing music that is real and honest.
"I try to keep it simple," Legend explains. "I tell stories in the most powerful and meaningful way. I like to tell stories in a way that is intelligent and has some poetic quality to it. Some writers are more abstract and so you need to speculate as to what they mean. I'm more of a direct writer."
Coupled with his high quality production, his music has been a welcome entry to the pop and r'n'b charts. His smooth voice and soulful music stems from his gospel upbringing. A piano prodigy at the age of six, he says soul music has always been a part of him. "I see myself as soulful: my voice is soulful, my background has a lot of soul music in it, but it is also pop music. It fits into that genre, but it also has the aspect for people who like the more classic sound. More people feel it and relate to it."
Perhaps it's the years of writing, producing and performing that has given Legend a certain insight into his own abilities and what the public will best respond to. He has previously collaborated with Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Christina Milian and Lauryn Hill, as well as performing in underground jazz clubs in Philadelphia and New York. He understands how the music industry works and knows what it takes to be successful.
"I have been around the business for quite a bit," Legend explains. "There are no surprises. I understand the work that needs to be done. I've been doing a lot of writing and arranging and growing as a musician, so it was only a matter of time for me to make a demo tape and get a record deal. And six years later it has all come together."
But while music was a huge part of his life Legend was also realistic enough to know that it may not turn out to be a sustainable career. "I didn't know for sure that my musical career was gonna take off one way or another," he confesses. "I figured I should go to college anyway."
And so he did, majoring in English Literature at the University of Pennsylvania. However, Legend was easily lured back to music. Being signed up to super-producer Kanye West's record label Getting Out Our Dreams definitely helped in his cause. "He is a genius," he says of West. "He's very creative and has a lot of vision. He just gets it and has a good ear. We challenge each other and we try to make each other the best that we can be."
West will definitely increase his musical pedigree, which has already worked wonders for Legend's debut album on GOOD, 'Get Lifted,' which has already won much critical acclaim. But for Legend it is not about the name of the artist or the producer that draws him to work with them. "I like working with good people. It's not about the name. It's trying to make good music for good people."
His recent Australian tour opening for Black Eye Peas has given him the opportunity to increase his profile in Australia. "I'm not big enough here to do my own thing, so I figured that I should be with someone that is big in Australia. Will I Am is a good friend of mine and we've collaborated on numerous records together, so it was only a matter of time before we did a tour together."
However, Legend won't need such help for long: his star is shining brightly and the sky seems to be the limit for this brilliant new r'n'b star.
"My songwriting is growing more interesting and more complex, and I am just getting better at it. I expect to grow and learn while I'm working to find my groove."
And will he live up to his own 'legendary' moniker?
"As long as I make a good album to stand up to it, and hopefully a lot of good albums to follow that up, no one can talk about me and diss me for it."
Leo Verona
 | John Legend's 'Get Lifted' is out through SonyBMG. |
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