JOHN LEGEND
July 13, 2015 - 9:30 pm

www.johnlegend.com


Following an unbelievably successful year that included a million-plus platinum selling single (“All Of Me”) and a sold-out worldwide tour, 9-time Grammy winner John Legend is finally coming to Lebanon!
Accompanied by a full band, the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter will perform all his greatest hits and offer his fans a legendary evening of R&B and soul!

BIOGRAPHY

John Legend has revealed several personas during his award-winning career. Some regard him as a singer-songwriter, others see him as a musician, producer, philanthropist and even an entrepreneur. To quote music industry pioneer Quincy Jones, the nine-time Grammy winner is simply “a genius.” Writing about Legend for Time’s 2009 “tally of the 100 most influential people”, Jones noted, “We’ve seen only the tip of the iceberg. For what he has already achieved in his career, it is going to be fun watching where he goes from here”.
Legend, one of the industry’s most innovative artists, returns after five years with his much-anticipated fourth solo album, “Love in the Future”. Taking R&B/soul to the next level, Legend creates an immersive experience about romance, love, hope, commitment and optimism. Enhancing the experience: a rich, melodic soundscape, accented by compelling interludes, that fully integrate the musician’s gospel and pop influences, classical training and unerring hip-hop/soul sensibilities.

Legend first whet fans’ appetites with the album’s lead single, “Who Do We Think We Are” featuring Rick Ross. Its soulful grit and live-life-to-the-fullest theme shot the track to the top of the R&B/hip-hop charts. Second single “Made to Love” is repeating the same trajectory. A progressive blend of soul, classical and 80‘s/90‘s Chicago house music, the song is complemented by the ethereal vocals of singer/songwriter Kimbra. The track, co-produced by Kanye West, is also featured in Chevrolet’s current Impala ad campaign.
Back as sounding boards and executive producers for this album are longtime Legend collaborators Kanye West, who signed Legend to his G.O.O.D Music Label in 2004, and Dave Tozer (producer who’s worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kimbra and Michael Bolton to name a few). From start to finish, “Love in the Future” pulsates with a stripped-down urgency that perfectly showcases Legend’s skills as a musician, lyricist and vocalist. The supple tenor sets the mood with an engaging cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes,” then sings about seizing the moment on the Q-Tip collaboration “Tomorrow.” Legend conjures 70‘s Stevie Wonder with the synth-infused “Hold on Longer.” Then the impending groom discourses on the subject of love with the penetrating “You and I” and “All of Me.” Worthy enough to stand on its own as a full track is Legend’s mesmerizing interstitial take on Anita Baker’s “Angel” with newcomer Stacy Barthe.

“As an artist, you don’t want to entirely go back to where you started,” says Legend. “While this album is polished, it still reminds me of the gritty hip-hop soul I did when I first started. I loved working with my core team but also mixing in these fresh collaborations. While it has the feel of my first two albums, “Love in the Future” takes that sound forward.”
The Ohio native and University of Pennsylvania graduate rocketed to stardom with his Columbia debut “Get Lifted”. The 2004 platinum set scored eight Grammy Award nominations for the former session player and vocalist (backing Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, and Kanye West). Legend later won the first three of his nine Grammys: best new artist, best R&B album and best male R&B vocal performance for the hit single “Ordinary People”. Two years later came his second platinum album, “Once Again”, with the Grammy-winning single “Heaven.”

Legend snared his third consecutive top 10 album with 2008’s “Evolver”, spinning off the hit “Green Light” featuring Andre 3000.

Since “Evolver”, Legend has collaborated with Rick Ross (“Magnificent,” “Rich Forever”), among others, and teamed with The Roots on 2010’s “Wake Up!”. The album featured reinterpretations of socially conscious songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s, including Bill Withers’ “I Can’t Write Left-Handed.” “Wake Up!” netted Legend three more Grammys, including best R&B album and best R&B song for his original composition “Shine.” That track was also featured in Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim’s domestic education reform documentary Waiting for Superman.

Legend’s soundtrack credits also include two 2012 box-office hits. For the film version of Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, “Think Like a Man”, the singer/songwriter contributed the Grammy-nominated “Tonight (Best You’ve Ever Had)” featuring Ludacris. Then Legend took a bluesy turn on “Who Did That to You,” an anthem featured in Academy Award-winning writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s critically acclaimed film Django Unchained. In his most recent soundtrack credit he teamed up with Common to release “Glory” the theme song of the movie Selma.
Noting “There’s always more to do,” Legend established his own imprint/production company, Home School Entertainment, in 2007. Its roster includes Motown-signed singer/songwriter Stacy Barthe, songwriting duo Phatboiz and management client/producer DJ Camper.
Always one to give back to society, Legend’s philanthropy work has led him to support numerous causes which focus both on humanitarian and educational aspects. He was named as a 2010 BET Humanitarian of the Year honoree thanks to his efforts. On a more personal level, 36-year old Legend is married to his long-term partner, model Chrissy Teigen.
Currently preparing to launch his long-awaited tour “Love in the Future” starting in June 2015 and that will pass by Byblos International Festival on 13 July, Legend says, “Anyone who knows me knows that I have an optimistic outlook on life. And you can hear that in the tone of the album’s tracks. I live and breathe music”.

DISCOGRAPHY

  • Get Lifted (2004)
  • Once Again (2006)
  • Evolver (2008)
  • Wake Up Featuring The Roots (2010)
  • Love in the Future (2013)

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