If you have GarageBand '09 on your Mac and you have always wanted to learn how to play piano like John, well now's your chance. Apple just released anothe...
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Feb 19, 05:10 PMOpen Letter to the New York PostDear Editor:
I'm trying to understand what possible motivation you may have had for publishing that vile cartoon depicting the shooting of the chimpanzee that went crazy. I guess you thought it would be funny to suggest that whomever was responsible for writing the Economic Recovery legislation must have the intelligence and judgment of a deranged, violent chimpanzee, and should be shot to protect the larger community. Really? Did it occur to you that this suggestion would imply a connection between President Barack Obama and the deranged chimpanzee? Did it occur to you that our President has been receiving death threats since early in his candidacy? Did it occur to you that blacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery? Did you intend to invoke these painful themes when you printed the cartoon?
If that's not what you intended, then it was stupid and willfully ignorant of you not to connect these easily connectable dots. If it is what you intended, then you obviously wanted to be grossly provocative, racist and offensive to the sensibilities of most reasonable Americans. Either way, you should not have printed this cartoon, and the fact that you did is truly reprehensible. I can't imagine what possible justification you have for this. I've read your lame statement in response to the outrage you provoked. Shame on you for dodging the real issue and then using the letter as an opportunity to attack Rev. Sharpton. This is not about Rev. Sharpton. It's about the cartoon being blatantly racist and offensive.
I believe in freedom of speech, and you have every right to print what you want. But freedom of speech still comes with responsibilities and consequences. You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I'm personally boycotting your paper and won't do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.
You should print an apology in your paper acknowledging that this cartoon was ignorant, offensive and racist and should not have been printed.
I'm well aware of our country's history of racism and violence, but I truly believe we are better than this filth. As we attempt to rise above our difficult past and look toward a better future, we don't need the New York Post to resurrect the images of Jim Crow to deride the new administration and put black folks in our place. Please feel free to criticize and honestly evaluate our new President, but do so without the incendiary images and rhetoric.
Sincerely,
John Legend -
Feb 05, 01:54 PMNew York, New YorkMan, it feels good to be home. I'm in my apartment right now, trying to stay warm. It's like 15 degrees outside. But I'm excited to be back in New York anyway. I've lived here for the last 9 years, and I played a lot of clubs and other venues in the city as I was trying to get a record deal. I've pretty much played everywhere in town, but I've never headlined Radio City Music Hall before. Tonight's the night. I can't wait to hit the stage. I remember opening for Alicia Keys there in 2005. We've come a long way since then, and it feels good.
Hope to see you soon!
John -
Dec 19, 06:57 AMLive from PakistanHey people. Just wanted to check in and say hello. I'm writing from Lahore, Pakistan. Why am I in Pakistan? Well, one of my best friends is Pakistani and he's getting married here this weekend. So he invited all of his friends to come out and celebrate with him and his wife to be.
They do it big when it comes to weddings here. It's a four-day affair with lots of food and dancing. I think they dance so much to work off all the food. It's like we're eating the equivalent of Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner everyday. Sometimes twice a day. I'll have to get back in tour shape in January!
Tonight all the male guests are part of the groom's party and we're dressing in traditional Pakistani clothing. I'm wearing a sherwani. It sort of reminds me of some of the robes the bishops would wear at my church growing up. I'll post pics later but I must say I look pretty fresh. Costume idea for the second leg of the tour??? Hmmmm. :-)
I get back to the states on Tuesday and I'll spend Christmas with my family in Ohio, my 30th birthday in New York and New Year's Eve in Miami.
I hope everyone has a lovely holiday. Many blessings to you and your family
John
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Dec 08 2008, 08:58 AMLast Week Of The First Leg...The first leg of the Evolver Tour is almost over. One more week to go. I had a day off yesterday to rest a little bit before I do 5 shows this week.
A lot of people ask me what my days off are like. This weekend, my 8-year-old nephew Michael came to stay with me. We went Christmas shopping for him and his little brother Anthony. After I took Michael to the airport, I spent the rest of the day watching football and cooking. We made chicken potpie. Mmmm... Delicious.
My voice has been a little tired lately, so my doctor advised me to be completely silent on my day off. So I did it. If you can't imagine doing that, trust me, it's about as weird as it sounds. But I communicated by typing things on my laptop. It's not ideal, but this is what I go through to make sure my voice stays fresh for you!
Now I'm heading to Baltimore to start the final week of shows for 2008. After B'more, we go to Washington , DC ; Greenville , SC ; Charlotte and Durham . And that's it for the first leg. That's also it for my time with Raphael Saddiq opening the show. I want to take a moment to thank him for joining me. He is a gentleman and one of the most prolific and important musicians in recent soul music history. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to have him on tour.
The First Lady of Homeschool Records, Estelle joins me in January. I'm really excited for that portion of the tour. I hope you have your tickets already. We're selling out fast!
See you soon,
John -
Dec 04 2008, 10:10 AMGrammys Nominations!I'm very pleased to announce that I've received 3 more Grammy nominations. My album Evolver and most of the tracks were not eligible for consideration because it was released after the deadline for this year's nominations. But "Green Light" and some of my collaborations were eligible.
I received nominations for Best Song for "American Boy," which I wrote w/ Estelle, Kanye & will.i.am; Best R & B Performance by Duo or Group for "Stay With Me" w/ Al Green; and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Green Light" w/ Andre 3000. I'm very excited. Even though I've won 5 grammys and been nominated a total of 14 times, it never gets old. Thanks to all my great collaborators.
And, by the way, I think Estelle was robbed. She should be a Best New Artist and Record of the Year nominee. No question. But congratulations to her for her 2 nominations for "American Boy" (song of the year and best rap/sung collaboration).
Anyway, the tour is getting better and better everyday. Boston was incredible on Tuesday night and I'm looking forward to playing the remaining cities on the tour. If you don't have your tickets yet, be sure to get them. I promise you this is my best tour yet. Don't miss it.
Peace,
John -
Nov 21 2008, 07:47 AMJohn Legend Performs On Pepsi SmashJohn Legend Recently Hit
Yahoo's Pepsi Smash Stage
Click HereTo Watch As He Performs Songs From Evolver
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Nov 06 2008, 02:10 PMBETJ’s Virtual Awards ‘08John Legend Has Been Nominated For
Best Male Artist Of The Year
The BETJ's Virtual Awards
Airs Tuesday, November 25th @ 8PM on BETJ
& Thursday, November 27th on BET
For more information and to vote go to:www.bet.com/specials/betjvirtualawards08
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Nov 06 2008, 01:51 PMWatch John Legend On BEt's Black Carpet TonightDon't Miss
JOHN LEGEND
On BET's Black Carpet
TONIGHT @ 7:30PM
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Nov 04 2008, 07:06 AMA Message From John On Election DayGreetings,
Today's the day we've all been waiting for. I realize I said that about my album release last week, but honestly even I have been obsessing over the election at least as much as I have been obsessing over my own album release. I've been reading the polls, checking for any sign of new news. I've been glued to the coverage on CNN and MSNBC, reading all the websites with "expert opinion." I've seen every prediction and every possible iteration of the electoral map. Now's the time for the only poll that matters. Election Day is finally here. We've all talked extensively about this pivotal election, and now is the time to finally convert our talk into action. We all have a chance to make our voices heard, so let's do it!
I'm not going to spend any time trying to convince you who to vote for. I think you're all aware of who I support, and you've probably already made up your mind. My only mission today is to make sure you have that extra push to follow through and go to the polls. Don't let the weather stop you. Don't let the inconvenience of waiting in line stop you. Don't let laziness or complacency hold you back. Don't let the pre-election survey results lull you to sleep. You can be a part of history today. Don't let this moment pass by without your voice being heard. Do you really want to tell your kids and grandkids that you sat out this election?
If you need any instructions on where and how to vote, please visit barackobama.com or your state election board's website to find out the details. Make sure you read and follow every instruction carefully. Some states come down to the smallest margins of victory, so we want all the votes to be counted accurately and fairly.
I've had the privilege of being involved in Senator Obama's campaign for change since very early on, and I've been excited to see it grow into an unprecedented grass roots movement powered by individuals all over the country who believe we can make America and the world a better place. I've seen the thousands of people that have been moved by his inspiring words at rallies, town hall meetings and at the DNC. We've all said "Yes we can" and we've all listened to "If You're Out There." But all that means nothing if we don't actually vote. We're this close to the finish line. Don't stop now!
Sincerely,
John Legend
