Twenty years ago, John Legend released his debut album Get Lifted. The recording process spanned three years as the then-burgeoning musician shaped and solidified its 14-song track list. It served as a launching pad for Legend’s now two-decade-long career — making it more than deserving of a guest-packed, expanded reissue to mark its milestone anniversary.
“I’m so thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of the album that introduced me to the world,” Legend shared in a statement. “Get Lifted has always meant so much to me and to so many of my fans and supporters. I’m so grateful for the career that this album launched. These last 20 years have taken me far beyond my wildest dreams.”
Get Lifted (20th Anniversary Edition) adds 11 songs to the original track list, including a remix of “Let’s Get Lifted Again” that features Lil Wayne and Killer Mike. Simi and Black Thought appear on the album as featured guests on “Refuge (When It’s Cold Outside)” and “Used to Love U,” respectively. And the breakout single of the OG record, the Grammy-nominated smash “Ordinary People,” gets an anniversary overhaul from Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems.
“Revisiting the original album and some of the unreleased songs from that era has been such a meaningful experience,” Legend added. “Reinvigorating the music with fresh remixes and collaborations featuring some of my favorite artists makes this celebration even more special.”
Besides the remixed records, Get Lifted (20th Anniversary Edition) unveils four previously unreleased recordings: “Do What I Gotta Do,” “Money Blown,” “Johnnys Gotta Go,” and the new closing track “Just in Time.”
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In 2006, Get Lifted earned Legend eight Grammy Award nominations. He took home three trophies, including Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. At the time, there was a prevalent stigma around the coveted Best New Artist category, with many believing it was a cursed award doomed to halt the winner’s career.
“You guys need to debunk that,” Legend told Rolling Stone shortly after his win. “One: Winners of the Best New Artist have a better chance at a long career than people who didn’t win. Two: Look at some of the people who have won — the Beatles, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Mariah Carey, So if that award jinxed the Beatles, I don’t mind being jinxed — that would definitely suck.”
