Story by A.R. Shaw
Images by DeWayne Rogers
R&B is in free fall. The genre that dominated the music charts for decades is currently undergoing a massive identity crisis. Much of today’s chart-topping R&B has been replaced or watered down by electronic dance music and the aggressive sounds and themes that are usually associated with hip-hop. There seems to be little space for love when songs of raunchy sex and EDM themes rule the airwaves.
Indeed, it ain’t easy being an R&B artist in this day and age.
Enter John Legend. Unafraid to make music on his own terms, the crooner remains true to his soul roots. But he also recognizes that true R&B is close to being on life support.
“Hip-hop is the dominant music on black radio today,” John Legend admitted during an exclusive interview with rolling out in Brooklyn, N.Y. “The stations that traditionally played R&B aren’t playing it as much these days. That’s a part of where music is going. At times, I listen to more hip-hop than R&B. I don’t blame radio stations for playing mostly hip-hop. But it’s our responsibility as R&B artists to make music that will attract the people. We have to make music that’s urgent, great and compelling.”
Legend’s audience remains steadfast because he offers music that is timeless. He conjures memories of soul legends such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Sam Cooke. But he also garners respect from rap artists without losing his message.
He has collaborated with rappers and musicians such as Jay-Z, Andre 3000, The Roots and 2 Chainz, to name a few. Rick Ross is featured on Legend’s latest hit, “Who Do We Think We Are.” In March, Ross found himself in hot water after rapping the infamous “rape lyrics” on Rocko’s song, “U.O.E.N.O.” On the song, Rick Ross suggested that he slipped the drug Molly into a woman’s drink and had sex with her without her knowledge.
Without speaking directly to the Ross incident, Legend offered his thoughts on some of hip-hop’s oversexed dialogue and misogyny.
“Hip-hop has a strong misogynistic streak that we should try to get rid of,” Legend says. “More rappers should be careful about what they say about women. I think they’re trying to sound tough, or sound like they don’t give a s—. But to me, it just sounds like you’re an a–hole. I think rappers should pay more attention to what they say about women. Some of the things I hear, I find pretty disgusting.”
