John Legend Enlists Chance the Rapper, Brittany Howard for New Album ‘Darkness & Light’, Performs ‘Love Me Now’: Watch
John Legend has premiered his tender new ballad “Love Me Now” and shared some fresh insights into his life, passions and his forthcoming album, Darkness & Light, which is “coming soon” and will feature a roll-call of collabs.
The multiple Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter debuted the new single on Facebook Live on Thursday night (Oct. 6) then stuck around to answer 20 question submitted by fans around the globe.
More from Billboard
Legend didn’t shy away from the big question on everyone’s lips: Darkness & Light, the followup to 2013’s Love in the Future, will drop later this year, Legend explained, with a release date to be confirmed shortly.
The likes of Chance the Rapper, Blake Mills, Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes, Miguel and American Music Prize-winning sax star Kwasmi Washington have guest spots on the new LP. “The music is really, really, good,” Legend enthused. “I think it’s my best work yet.”
Legend, a staunch supporter of the Democrat party, doesn’t push politics on the new record. “It’s not really preachy. I don’t like to preach too much in my songs. I preach in my tweets,” he laughed.
Legend opened his session at the piano with a performance of his new love song. “I don’t know who’s gonna kiss you when I’m gone, so I’m gonna love you now like it’s all I have,” he sang.
A single “woo hoo” greeted his final note off-camera, perhaps coming from his wife Chrissy Teigen, who appears in the track’s sensual artwork alongside Legend. “It’s weird doing it without an audience here. But I’m sure you’re out there,” he said.
Legend worked his way through each fan question. When asked about the origins of the new song, he explained it “represents my thoughts on love and pulling people who you love closer to you.”
And where does he draw inspiration for writing lyrics? From his life, wife, daughter and “thoughts of what’s going on in the world. I just want to write what’s real to me, what’s honest.”
The singer also opened-up on fatherhood and walked through his typical weekend (nice dinners, visiting the aquarium, watching movies and football, and cooking) and admitted he’s been obsessing over the latest albums by Frank Ocean and Rihanna.
Watch the Facebook Live performance below. Stream or download the new track here and watch the lyric video here.
Best of Billboard