John Legend Going Mainstream, Seeking Advertisers For New Album

R&B singer John Legend is looking to take the route of the new age recording artist; find a brand to help market his music. Legend recently stated in a listening session that he is currently meeting with several advertising firms to discuss new promotional strategies for his upcoming as-yet-untitled album, slated for September. “I want to go beyond what the label machine always does and think of some cool ideas,” said Legend, who declined to name the ad agencies he’s meeting with. “Labels get into a creative rut. I want an ad firm that launches other products to use their knowledge to launch my music. It’d be cool to get ideas from a firm that can still reach my marketplace. We’re taking proposals now so as soon as we decide on one we can decide the launch date and direction.” As for as music, Legend’s new album is said to be more mainstream and radio friendly than his previous outing, 2006’s “Once Again,” and his 2004 debut, “Get Lifted.” This time around, the Grammy-winner has replaced his usual live instruments with 808 drums and futuristic synthesizers. “The last record was mellower,” says Legend. “The production this time is a little more up-tempo and more pop sounding than the last one.” While Legend admits that he was a bit disappointed in the sales of “Once Again,” accumulating 1.2 million units to-date according to Nielsen SoundScan, he was not intentionally crafting radio-friendly songs this go-round. “Get Lifted” has sold 2.1 million units to-date. “’Once Again’ was difficult for people to digest because it wasn’t any one radio format,” says Legend. “It was between formats and there wasn’t an obvious place for everything to fit. I’ve been successful without a huge radio hit up until now so I don’t think about the radio when I make songs. Artistically, ‘Once Again’ was a great album, better than ‘Get Lifted.’ I had a bigger tour on the second album and it set me up to be an artist that’s around for a long time so I just have to capitalize on that.” Legend is putting the finishing touches on his first single, “Green Light,” featuring Outkast’s Andre 3000, and expects to shoot the video in May. “It’s Over” featuring Kanye West and produced by Pharrell Williams may be the second single but Legend isn’t sure. Here is John Legend’s preliminary track list: “Green Light” feat. Andre 3000 “Satisfaction” “Everybody Knows” “No Other Love” “Cross The Line” “This Time” “Good Morning” “Aim High” “It’s Over” feat. Kanye West Source: BillBoard

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