John Legend Talks New Album ‘Legend,’ His Complicated Relationship With Kanye West & More

Fresh off the release of his eighth studio album, John Legend sat down with Billboard‘s Deputy Director of R&B and Hip-Hop, Carl Lamarre, to discuss the inspiration behind his new LP, fittingly titled Legend.

It represents so much about who I am as an artist, all the artists who inspired and all the music I love. It’s a stage name that’s been following me for almost 20 years, and I feel like I’m ready to embrace it,” the EGOT winner explained, before revealing that he made the album throughout 2021 after his “Feeling Good” performance at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. He said that part of the album was fuelled by optimism and a sense that things were going better.

Legend was referring to a song title on his new album and said that he feels like he has achieved his “Fate.” This is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a child. I’m so happy that I’m finally living my dream. It’s amazing. This .”

is incredible

Later on in the interview, Legend touched on his complicated relationship with his past musical collaborator, Kanye West, who ran for president in 2020. Legend said that he was upset that I didn’t support his presidential candidacy. “I don’t know how to get around that.” I won’t take back the fact I didn’t vote for his presidency. I’m not going on record as saying that I regret it. I will not apologize for it because I believe that that was the right thing to do. If that means he doesn’t want to be friends anymore, so be it

He said, “We have great songs that we made together. He made me the artist I am today, and I will never forget that. We don’t see eye to eye right now .”

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Watch the complete interview with John Legend here.