John Legend releases ‘Dope’

Song is from forthcoming album

John Legend has released “Dope,” the first song from his forthcoming new album.

“Dope,” produced by Ian Kirkpatrick and Ryan Tedder, is co-written by Legend, Charlie Puth, Ryan Tedder, Ian Kirkpatrick and rapper J.I.D, who is also featured on the track. The moving and infectious song sets the tone for getting summer started with its block-party vibes and sensual lyrics about everything you find dope about that someone special.

“I’m so thrilled to be releasing new music,” says Legend. “The past year or so has been so exciting for me creatively. I have been writing and collaborating with some of the most talented people in music, and we have some great new material to share with the world. ‘Dope’ is one of my favorites. I love the energy of the song. I loved collaborating with my gifted co-writers and producers, and J.I.D is one of my favorite emerging artists in hip-hop. I hope the song can be a part of people’s soundtrack for this summer.”

The EGOT artist has been teasing “Dope” during his critically acclaimed, sold out first run of his new Vegas residency, Love in Las Vegas. Upcoming dates of the residency are August 5-20 and October 14-29.

Legend first shared part of “Dope” on the iHeart Awards, where he did a special fan-favorite dueling piano performance with the song’s co-writer, Charlie Puth. The track is the first release from Legend’s forthcoming album, his first with new label partner Republic Records, following the release of his latest GRAMMY Award winner for Best R&B Album, Bigger Love.

Earlier this year, Legend sold his catalog to BMG and global investment firm KKR for an undisclosed sum. The companies also struck a deal that will include Legend’s future compositions.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com