Photo credit:The Breakfast club (Youtube)
John Legend is opening up about his new album with Pharrell Williams and why he has no plans to stay quiet about politics.
The EGOT winner recently appeared on The Breakfast Club, where he discussed his upcoming album Muse, recording with Pharrell in Paris and his decision to keep speaking publicly about President Donald Trump.
Legend said the project came together after Pharrell heard his vocals on Clipse’s “The Birds Don’t Sing.” Pharrell was impressed by Legend’s voice and eventually suggested they make an entire album together.
The idea became Muse, which is scheduled for release on Oct. 23 through Republic Records. Pharrell produced and co-wrote the album.
John Legend and Pharrell made music in Paris
Legend said Pharrell called him unexpectedly and asked what he was working on.
The conversation came after Legend recorded his part for “The Birds Don’t Sing.” Pharrell then suggested they create a full project together.
Legend agreed to meet him in Paris. Soon after, the pair began recording.
Much of the album came together at Pharrell’s studio inside Louis Vuitton’s Paris headquarters. Pharrell serves as the brand’s men’s creative director.
Legend said the unusual setting added another layer to the creative process. The building included spaces where fashion teams worked on major collections while the musicians recorded nearby.
The sessions also included remote work between Paris and Legend’s Los Angeles studio.
Pharrell pushed John Legend in a new direction
Legend said working with different producers helps him discover new sides of his artistry.
That became especially important after more than two decades in the music industry.
The singer is best known for piano-driven ballads. However, Muse takes him into different musical territory.
The 16-track project blends gospel, doo-wop, classic soul, Afrobeat and hip-hop. Legend has also described the album’s creative direction as having a “Black James Bond” aesthetic with a modern foundation.
For Legend, the goal was not simply to recreate the success of his earlier work.
He said he believes every new album should be his best one. That mindset keeps him focused on proving himself to his audience.
“I have to make a case for why this album is worth their attention,” Legend said during the interview.
John Legend discusses his politics
Legend also addressed his history of speaking openly about politics.
He said his approach may appear less visible now because he no longer uses X, formerly known as Twitter, as frequently.
According to Legend, he and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, have not changed their political views. He said they continue to host fundraisers and participate in political campaigns.
Legend also said he still speaks critically about Trump when he discusses politics on Instagram.
The singer has previously been vocal about criminal justice reform and other political issues. He also discussed his work related to ending mass incarceration during the interview.
Legend recalls Trump and Chrissy Teigen clash
Legend recalled an earlier dispute involving Trump and Teigen.
He said Trump responded after Teigen criticized him on Twitter. Legend also claimed the platform took steps that affected the visibility of the post at the time.
The incident followed work Legend and Teigen were doing around criminal justice reform.
Legend said Trump had criticized him after a television special about mass incarceration did not give enough attention to the First Step Act, the federal criminal justice reform law signed in 2018.
Teigen later responded directly to Trump on social media.
Legend said the experience did not change his willingness to speak publicly about politics.
John Legend keeps his focus on music
Despite the political conversation, Legend’s upcoming album remains his main creative focus.
Muse marks the first full project he has made with Pharrell after more than 20 years of friendship. The collaboration began with a single Clipse performance and grew into a complete album.
The project also represents a chance for Legend to challenge expectations.
Rather than relying only on the sound that made him famous, he is exploring new styles and visual ideas with Pharrell.
The result is a project that combines Legend’s signature voice with Pharrell’s production and creative direction.
Now, fans will get to hear that collaboration when Muse arrives on Oct. 23.
Source: The Breakfast Club, PEOPLE, Universal Music Group.
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