John Legend Recalls “Bringing Hip Hop & Soul Together” With Kanye West

John Legend can’t help but give Kanye West his due. Even if they aren’t as close as they once were. Legend’s early career involved West, who was vital in the singer’s rise into a superstar. Legend reflected on those early days with a West in an interview with Eddie Francis for Apple 1 Music this week, and said it was a powerful Chicago pair that generated fantastic singles and classics that longtime fans hold dear.

“I’ve just been collaborating with so many dope artists throughout my career. I started with Kanye at G.O.O.D. Music and our whole thing was bringing Hip Hop and Soul together,” he stated.

Those early days, according to Legend, were also the catalyst for his working, collaborative relationship with Hip Hop artists.

“I was on a lot of [Kanye’s] tracks… A lot of tracks he was producing for other people.” Despite this, West found time to work on Legend’s debut album, Get Lifted, released in 2004.. “He was producing my tracks and connecting me with other people in Hip Hop so there’s always been a lot of collaborations in my background.”

John Legend Talks About His Collaboration With Rick Ross

The musician also discussed his album-making process with Rick Ross, mentioning their “good chemistry.” He claims he and the Florida legend have “similar” tastes.

“I’ve done a thousand tracks with Rick Ross, worked with so many great emcees over the years,” said Legend. “I’ve just always thought collaboration was a great way to make music and when we do it together it can be better than when we do it separately. So I’ve just always had that spirit and that energy and I love working with dope people and we definitely did that with this album.”

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