John Legend Explains Why Sales Don’t Define Him Ahead Of ‘Muse’

John Legend isn’t losing sleep over first-week sales as he prepares to release his Pharrell-produced album, Muse.

The singer explained his outlook during an interview with The Breakfast Club. Legend was asked whether lower opening numbers for veteran artists made him nervous about putting out new music.

“No, I don’t get nervous about numbers,” John Legend said.

He said his albums have tended to build a listener base over time. He has never reached No. 1 on the main U.S. album chart, he noted, so he never built his definition of success around winning a release week.

“Like I said, like I’ve never been defined by chart success,” he said.

Legend described wanting songs to stay in people’s lives, memories and relationships. Touring for years and making lasting records mattered more to him than chasing whichever sound was most popular.

His career began with a strong Hip-Hop foundation.

Before his debut album, Legend played piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything” and sang backing vocals for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

He became the first artist signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music. Get Lifted entered the Billboard 200 at No. 7 and later peaked at No. 4. Sony reported that it sold 116,000 copies in its first week.

Get Lifted reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

The Recording Academy also credits the debut with launching “Ordinary People,” which peaked at No. 24 on the Hot 100. Legend won Best New Artist, Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 48th Grammy Awards.

Legend’s next record brings another Hip-Hop producer into the center of his sound. AllHipHop previously detailed Pharrell’s role in Muse, including their work in Paris.

In the new interview, Legend said trusting one producer with an entire album helped take him outside his comfort zone. Muse is due October 23.