American singer-songwriter, John Legend has revealed that he is unfazed by a public backlash against his decision to perform in Rwanda, despite the country’s involvement in the war in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
He defended his decision to perform in the African country.
“I don’t believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda and punish the people of other countries when we disagree with their leaders.”
John Legend
In recent weeks, M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have seized the two largest cities in the mineral-rich east of the DR Congo.
There is evidence Rwanda has sent 4,000 troops across the border to support the rebels.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are now destitute having fled their homes, and shocking violence, including the rape of children, has skyrocketed.
Critics argue that John Legend could have made a powerful statement by pulling out of the concert, especially given his highly respected “EGOT” status as someone who has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
Fellow Grammy-winner Tems did pull out of a concert she was due to give on Saturday in Rwanda, saying she would “never, ever intend to be insensitive to real-world issues”.
But John Legend defended his decision to headline the Move Afrika event in Kigali, which was run by the Global Citizen NGO and attracted thousands of fans from across the continent.
He said he was not being paid for the performance but felt it was his duty to help “grow touring capabilities” on the African continent, which is often overlooked by international stars on so-called world tours.
“I’m aware of what’s happening [in DR Congo] and I’m aware of the calls there have been for me to not do this show, but I really believe that the mission of Move Afrika is still important.”
John Legend
Delighted fans at the sold-out show agreed, but the social media backlash was ferocious enough to force John Legend to delete an Instagram post he had made promoting the event.
Belgium-based activist Denise Zanesa argued that “performing under the banner” of Rwanda “would be akin to collaborating with oppression itself,” in a message posted to X (formerly Twitter).
It was a sentiment echoed by others, including Simone Umba in the US, who wrote in a TikTok video caption: “So are we ready to talk about Rwanda’s use of Black American culture in their soft campaigning to normalize their terrorizing of Eastern Congo?”
John Legend Hints at Huge Move With Family
John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, are proud Angelinos—the two live in a sprawling house in Beverly Hills where they’re raising their four children.
But despite the love they have for their Los Angeles home, as evidenced by Teigen’s regular updates on social media, from the elaborate meals cooked in their kitchen to the colorful classroom they built for their kids at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, John Legend said they’re considering putting down roots elsewhere.
The 13-time Grammy winner revealed that he and Teigen are considering moving their family back to the East Coast after the devastating wildfires in California last month.
“Chrissy and I have always considered returning to New York, where we once lived. We probably will, once our youngest ones grow up a bit. Every time nature shows its wrath, we wonder if it’s time to head back east. Who knows?”
John Legend
He explained that when the fires expanded on Jan. 9, “the danger felt too close for comfort.” According to him, the family’s home was safe.
“That night, my wife and I gathered our four kids, four dogs, and a bearded dragon and drove south to a hotel in Carlsbad. We didn’t return until the following week.
“It was safe, but many weren’t so fortunate, and the threat still looms. The fires were a collective trauma that shook everyone, including our kids.”
John Legend
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