Sometimes, a book can inspire you to change the world. After John Legend read The End of Poverty, a book by Columbia University Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs about the global fight against poverty, Legend was inspired to give back to the cause. This year, the multiplatinum singer-songwriter began the Show Me Campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those in need in Africa. The Campaign adopted the village of Mbola, Tanzania, with the goal of raising $1.5 million to provide its citizens with everyday necessities - items as basic as drinkable water, meals for schoolchildren, and bed nets to prevent mosquito-transmitted malaria.
On Thursday December 6, Legend was a featured guest on Professor Sachs' new Sirius Satellite Radio show, One World, where the two discussed their advocacy for global poverty efforts. Legend also performed "Show Me" - the inspirational song behind his Show Me Campaign - "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," and "Ordinary People." VIBE was in the Sirius building, and after the taping, we spoke with Legend about his experiences in Africa, the US's involvement in the cause and, as ever, his upcoming album.
VIBE: What impressed you most throughout your travels in Africa?
JOHN LEGEND: The sense of optimism and hope that people have. I had imagined it would be so sad seeing all these people that are so extremely poor and have so little resources, but you see the hope in them and see the impact that even small interventions can make. That was probably the most meaningful thing that I saw and the most encouraging thing that I saw.
What made you choose poverty, out of all the causes in the world?
I think it's such an urgent thing. It's the root cause of a lot of other issues. When you look at the wars that happen in the world, you look at the strife and discontent, so many people who don't get to participate in this amazing economy and amazing growth that we've had all around the world. There are so many people that don't benefit from it, and that impacts everything from terrorism, to war, to disease. And then you see the number of people that are dying every year from preventable causes. You see the extremity of the conditions that some of these people live in. I can't think of any other issue that should require more of our attention.
Do you think the U.S. government and its citizens are doing enough to help this global issue?
No, we're not doing enough. We don't spend enough of our financial resources. We don't make it a political priority as much as we should. We spend a lot of money building up the military. We spend a lot of money fighting wars, but we don't always address the real cause of the wars. I think poverty is a major root cause of a lot of conflict that happens around the world. If we're serious about making the world a better place for everyone, poverty needs to be a major priority issue. And we don't spend enough money on it. Unfortunately there isn't enough of a political constituency for the poverty issue right now to bring it to a higher priority, and it just needs to be done.
You're currently working on your third album. How's that going?
Well, I just got out of the studio with Pharrell. I was with him this week for three days. I got on the plane right afterwards and came here. And I'm going in with Kanye next week. I just did a joint with Heavy D, who does a bit of production that people don't really know. He did "Summer Rain" for Carl Thomas, and a few other joints that people don't realize Heavy D did. He's actually quite a good producer. I did a joint with him last night and I'm looking forward to the final product. It's still early in development. But I think we're going to have some really great things on the album. I can't wait for people to hear it. I think it'll be my best yet.
You're also running your own label imprint, Homeschool Records. How did you find your new artist, British R&B singer Estelle?
Well, she found me in a way. Back in 2003, Kanye
and myself were having lunch before we went to the studio. We were
working on The College Dropout, as well as other projects at the time,
and she happened to be at Roccos Chicken and Waffles in LA the same time
we were there. She came up to Kanye 'cause she recognized him. She came out to the studio and played some
of her stuff for us and we stayed in touch from then on. At the time she
had a deal with B2 Records and was about to release her first album. I actually did a couple of songs for her on
that. She had a couple of hit singles and had some critical
acclaim but it didn't sell that well. The label, I don't think,
understood how to market her that well. And so when it came around for
her working on the second album, I told her I
wanted to sign her and see if I could help make something better happen.
I'm so proud of the album. We worked with some great people. I co-wrote a lot of it with her, and was very involved in the production, and the overall direction of the album. I'm excited to have been a part of it.
Legend will visit Columbia University alongside Professor Sachs on January 28, 2008.
Also, look out for Legend's upcoming television appearances: he'll star in BAILEYS Get Together with John Legend and Friends, airing Sunday, December 16, on TV ONE (photo from the special below). And on Monday, January 28, he'll be featured on BET's Gospel Celebration.
Learn more about the fight against poverty and make donations to the Show Me Campaign on their website. Stay tuned to VIBE.com for the airdate of his interview on One World with Professor Sachs on Sirius Satellite Radio.
John Legend and Homeschool Records artist Estelle, who perform together in the upcoming TV special BAILEYS Get Together with John Legend And Friends, debuting on TV One December 16 at 9 PM ET.
home