One of this generation's best balladeers, John Legend, has finally released his latest album, "Bigger Love," on Friday midnight, June 19.
"Bigger Love" marks John Legend's first album in four years, following the 2016 "Darkness and Light." The 16-track setlist includes his sultry ballad in collaboration with Gary Clark Jr. ("Wild"), an R&B duet with Jhene Aiko ("U Move, I Move"). The album also features Legend with Jamaican artist Koffee ("Don't Walk Away"), rapper Rapsody ("Remember Us"), and Camper ("I'm Ready"). The album also includes Legend's previously released singles "Memories" and the title track. In support of his new album, Legend took to Instagram to announce his virtual concert. "John Legend: A Night for Bigger Love" is an online event for the benefit of FreeAmerica. The nonprofit organization is the EGOT laureate's own criminal justice reform initiative founded in 2014. The "Night for Bigger Love" will be streamed on both YouTube and Twitter on June 25, 6 PM EST. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon last March, John Legend described "Bigger Love" as "probably my sexiest album to date." He even recommended his album for people stuck at home and wanting to make some "coronababies," adding that his new set of songs can be the soundtrack. Billboard recently reported John Legend's interview with Willie Geist. In the interview, set to air for Sunday TODAY's Father's Day episode, June 21, featured Legend sharing his thoughts about George Floyd's killing. For him, it was a harsh reminder that it could have been someone he knew that died under the policeman's knee. He shared having a nephew from his younger brother, around 19 or 20 years old. I could see him in moments like that having a misunderstanding with officers. And I worry for him," Legend tells Geist. In his interview with Geist, John Legend also expressed hope that his "Bigger Love," although record before the surge of Black Lives Matter protests, might give comfort to people in these trying times. "Though this album wasn't written in response to what happened just now, I think we could all use a lift right now and some love right now and some joy," Legend added. Aside from the release of his new album, John Legend is also set to face Alicia Keys in the next installment of "Verzuz," the hit Instagram Live face-off. Their battle is set later on Friday, June 19. The Legend-Keys bout is a special event, coinciding with the celebration of Juneteenth, or the day that the emancipation has been enacted across the entire United States. RELATED: "Something For The Ladies": Swizz Beatz Confirms Upcoming 112 - Jagged Edge "Verzuz" Battle "Verzuz" was created by Keys' husband, Swizz Beatz, in partnership with fellow megaproducer Timbaland. They also inaugurated the series with their own battle. Since then, hundreds of thousands of viewers have tuned in to watch the exchange of beats and hit singles from pairs such as Gospel singers Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond and reggae rivals Beenie Man and Bounty Killer. The hit IG Live series has also featured 112 and Jagged Edge vocal groups and female music icons Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.
The cover art for "Bigger Love," the title track for John Legend's latest album
Spreading Bigger Love, Social Justice, and Equality
John Legend Verzuz Alicia Keys for Juneteenth
