I've recently become familiar with this guy (saw his video) and I think he might be someone I'd like to get to know better. Can anyone offer information on him such as how long he's been around, musical genre and what you think of his latest release? Maybe I'm out of the loop, but it seems he's come out of nowhere.

What can you tell me about him?

U can find out all about him and more @ his website. http://www.johnlegend.com
[Edited 2/10/05 12:55pm]

I like the album Get Lifted, but Legend seems a bit at odds with himself as a performer. He's got a unique voice, and he is a pretty good songwriter. However, he's really trying to fit two bills at once. He's doin' the R Kelly down low route on She Don't Have to Know, trumpeting the joys of tramping around with somebody else's woman. Then on It Don't Have to Change he's all about the joys of a traditional family.

And he really needn't try to make anything else rhyme with "let's get high." I swear, half the songs on that album feature that refrain. Stuff like that gets old, but on the whole it's a pretty good album. Most shocking for an R&B album - only 3 cuts feature somebody else!

Thanks to those that have responded. I'll look into this guy further. I like his voice and the fact that he can sing and write impresses me too.

lets get lifted...again, is my JAM!




i thought i was the only one who noticed all the "high" references
[Edited 2/10/05 13:33pm]

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[Edited 2/10/05 13:33pm]

Nice voice...raspy as all get-out, but nevertheless it's different. I know that he also played on Lauryn Hill's Miseducation album.

why is he calling himself a legend? he's only been around for 2 minutes.

dancerella said:

.

http://www.mtv.com/news/a...tory.jhtml

"People must think, 'This guy is so arrogant to call himself "Legend," ' but I didn't start it," the singer said. "People thought I sounded old-fashioned, kind of like those guys from another era, kind of like I had an old soul sound. They started calling me 'The Legend' [and then] 'John Legend.' "

Legend says he considered the moniker a joke until it became his calling card.

"I just kind of laughed it off when I first heard it. I was like, 'Yeah, that's cute,' " said the singer born John Stephens. "But people kept calling me that, and it spread. People would introduce me as that. They'd play my records for other people and say, 'Yeah, that's John Legend.' Before I knew it, all these people knew me as John Legend, so I had to kind of decide, 'Am I going to get rid of this name?' Now it's there, and I've got to deal with it. It does put a little pressure on me, but I like pressure, so it's cool."

I like the fact that his vocals are jazz-inspired, mixed with a little gospel. I like his album, mostly *because* of that voice, as well as the stripped-down production. "She Don't Have To Know" is actually my favorite cut, along with "Live It Up."

okaypimpn said:

I tried to give the brotha a chance, but I'm just not really impressed.

psykosoul said:

I feel you. The album is alright, but it's far from great. His voice just gets boring after a while...at least to me.

okaypimpn said:

how does it compare to van hunt's cd? in my opinion van hunt's album is perfection!

okaypimpn said:

Man, I thought it was just me.

dancerella said:

Far from perfect. Van Hunt's album was awesome, although I believe that Stevie Wonder is the only artist that can put out a perfect album

Anyway, John Legend can't compare to Van because, although his music is soulful, there's a heavy hip-hop element to it (namely because he's associated with Kanye West). IMO, there are only about three good tracks worth listening to all the way...the rest is just boring filler to me

John Legend is like a sober Bilal.

dreamfactory313 said:

Bilal's range is greater than John's though.

I absolutely hate that slow song that's in radio rotation now with a passion. "Ordinary People", is that the name of that bullshiggity? It makes me want to rip my radio right out of the plug and fling it across the room.



.
[Edited 2/12/05 18:41pm]

Nothing new

It's a good fuggen album, except "Ordinary People" reminds me of D'Angelo "Africa (Acoustic Version)" like it sounds like the same chord changes and even how he plays the bass notes. Still a good track though.

Anti-sample heads beware, he has a song that samples Staple Singers "Let's Do It Again". Still a good track though.

Also, an appearance by Bigg Corny Ass Snoop Dogg all but ruined one of the songs.

BlaqueKnight said:

thats true, it is a nice album and he is a nice singer..the only tracks that i just can't get with is used 2 love u and the one about it being cold outside

BlaqueKnight said:

-----
And I think you link anybody that we dislike. I was thinking about picking up John's cd but I have a few friends who say the exact same things that people on this board are saying. Maybe the brother only has 3 good songs on the CD and this is not a Princefam conspiracy.

"Let's Get Lifted"- John Legend



All i can tell you is that I love him and his his music and that his new cd Get Lifted ROCKS!!!

laurarichardson said:

I like more than three songs. That's all I care about. You can do whatever you want. Get his CD; don't get it. Like I give a f*ck.

BlaqueKnight said:

Jinkies!

BlaqueKnight said:

Carl Thomas.

okaypimpn said:

Uhhh... not so much.