Los Angeles, California – John Legend reflects on his complex relationship with Kanye West, his former collaborator, expressing sadness and shock at West’s current trajectory. The pair’s musical partnership began two decades ago, when West played a pivotal role in launching Legend’s career with the release of his debut album, “Get Lifted.”
West, who was already gaining fame with his debut album “The College Dropout,” co-produced Legend’s project alongside a team that included Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen. “Get Lifted” became a commercial success, selling three million copies and earning three Grammy Awards, firmly establishing Legend in the music industry.
Looking back on that time, Legend describes West as an exceptionally talented and ambitious artist, filled with optimism and creativity. “He had such a passion for his craft and for the people around him,” Legend said. However, he acknowledges the stark contrast between that period and West’s current public persona, which has been marred by controversy.
In recent years, West has faced severe backlash for a series of offensive comments and actions, ranging from wearing garments bearing swastika symbols to making inflammatory remarks on social media platforms. Legend has expressed disappointment, remarking, “I never anticipated seeing the kind of behaviors and obsessions with antisemitism and anti-Black sentiment that we’re witnessing today.”
He notes that the profound loss of West’s mother in 2007 may have played a significant role in this unsettling transformation. While Legend emphasizes that they are not qualified to analyze West’s circumstances, he highlights that the artist’s descent appeared to begin after his mother’s death. “That event seemed to mark a shift in his focus,” Legend explained, suggesting that the challenges West faced have escalated in recent years.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of “Get Lifted,” Legend is currently on tour, revisiting the emotional and reflective themes of the album. Many songs explore personal experiences such as infidelity, infused with a sense of storytelling reminiscent of Motown classics.
Reflecting on his younger self while creating the album, Legend admitted, “At 25, I was navigating a new life as a young bachelor. There were mistakes and guilt that I dramatized into stories.” He humorously noted that the track “She Don’t Have to Know” takes a more theatrical approach to real events, adding, “I don’t think my life was ever that interesting.”
As Legend celebrates the music that shaped his career, he also mourns the transformation of a once close friend whose creative spark has dimmed amid troubling controversies.