John Legend on New Album 'Muse,' Pharrell's Influence and Broadway Debut

John Legend's latest album, "Muse," released Friday, features a notable shift in his signature vocal delivery, influenced by his long-time friend and collaborator Pharrell Williams. Williams encouraged Legend to adopt a more conversational, talk-singing style on certain tracks, a departure from the powerful ballads that have defined his career for over two decades.

Recorded primarily at Williams' studio within Louis Vuitton's Paris headquarters, "Muse" is Legend's first full album collaboration with Williams. The project originated from Legend's appearance on Clipse's song "The Birds Don't Sing," which inspired Williams to craft an album around Legend's voice.

Legend discussed Williams' creative input and the challenges of new projects in an interview with The Associated Press. He described the encouragement to "talk-sing" on songs like "Fireflies," where the delivery is more akin to speaking than traditional melodic singing. He noted that working with new people brings fresh ideas that might not have been explored otherwise.

This collaboration marks a new creative avenue for the EGOT winner, who is also composing his first original stage score for the musical "Imitation of Life," set to open at The Shed in New York in December. Legend expressed a desire to continually push his creative boundaries and avoid complacency, emphasizing that his past successes empower him to trust his instincts and explore new endeavors without fear.

He also reflected on a memorable compliment from Jay-Z early in his career, who told Legend, "You're our voice." Legend acknowledged that hip-hop artists often seek him out to add a special element to their songs, and he embraces hip-hop's significant role in his body of work.

For "Imitation of Life," Legend highlighted the challenge of centering the Black woman Delilah in the storytelling and transforming the narrative into a musical. The project allowed for an exploration of a significant era in American musical and cultural history, specifically the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age. Legend stated that he doesn't feel fear in his creative pursuits but rather uses them as motivation and a means to maintain a high standard for his work.