Ohio native John Legend is performing in Columbus Monday night at the Schottenstein Center. The 46-year-old was born in Springfield and as a gifted student, he was homeschooled and attended public schools, graduating as salutatorian.
WOSU’s Debbie Holmes spoke to Legend, an EGOT-winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner), about his music and his politics. The concert tour is celebrating the 20th anniversary of your debut album, "Get Lifted."
Debbie Holmes: It's a big tour, busy schedule. How are the fans reacting?
John Legend: Oh we're having so much fun. The tour has been incredible. We did it in Europe earlier this year and we've been doing the North American run for the past few weeks and we're having a blast and I can't wait to bring it home to Ohio.
Debbie Holmes: You've expressed some of your opposition to President Trump and his stance on the Haitian community in Springfield when he accused them of eating cats and dogs and taking away jobs. And you've said Haitians have filled jobs that were open and made positive contributions to Springfield.
You also performed at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. We know how that election turned out. This week, another election was held, but this time better results overall for Democrats. What's your reaction to this year's results from across the country?
John Legend: Well, I think people are making their voices heard. I think people were frustrated last year. They’re frustrated with inflation and they wanted to see a change. And President Trump promised that he would bring prices down, but he's done the opposite.
He imposed these tariffs without congressional authorization and effectively raised prices on every American, because Americans pay those tariffs in the form of taxes added to the imports that people buy.
And so, prices have gone up, life has gotten harder, Medicaid has been cut for so many people. Nutrition benefits from SNAP have been cut for so many people. And I think people expressed their frustration at the polls this week and delivered a pretty strong message to the president that he needs to do better.
Debbie Holmes: Now you've been nominated for best gospel and best rap song for the Grammy nominations. How do you want your music to reflect what's happening in this country?
John Legend: Oh, you know, I try to make art that is beautiful and speaks to people's heart and is meaningful and honest and true. And I'm really happy with the collaborations that I was able to do with the Clipse and with Tasha Cobb's Leonard.
Both of those records I'm so proud of and I'm so happy that they got some recognition from our recording academy.
Debbie Holmes: On social media, you've gotten some criticism for being an entertainer who talks politics. Why do you think it's important for you to do that?
John Legend: I grew up with artists inspiring me because they not only made great music, but they spoke to what was going on in the world. I always admired Marvin Gaye, I always admired Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone and so many other great artists that weren't afraid to reflect the times they lived in as artists, using their platform to try to make the world a better place.
And when I was a kid growing up in Springfield, I was part of an essay competition for Black History Month and it asked, how do you plan to make Black history? And I said I was going to become a famous recording artist and use my platform to stand up for my community and try to make the world a better place. And I'm just fortunate that I've been able to live that aspiration.
Debbie Holmes: You did a satirical video riffing on President Trump's plea to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Why?
John Legend: Honestly, I thought it was an opportunity. Clearly, he wants to win this award. I think he thinks it would be a pretty important thing for him to do. And so, I was trying to use that as an opportunity to encourage him to do the right thing, not only abroad, but at home.
You can't, you know, say you're the president for peace because you're negotiating agreements abroad, but then sic the Army and the National Guard on the American people. And so, my hope was that his desire to win this award would inspire him to change his behavior.
Debbie Holmes: Would you ever consider running for political office?
John Legend: I wouldn't, but I absolutely will continue to speak up and I'll absolutely continue to fight for the ideas and the causes I believe in and support politicians who I think are aligned with that vision.
Debbie Holmes: Can you tell us more about the songs in your concert this year?
John Legend: Well, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of "Get Lifted," so we do the entire album. And then we do some of my other hits from throughout my career. So, it's a pretty comprehensive show, it's about two hours, and it's been so much fun.
