Glory

Written by John Legend, Common and Rhymefest

Presented By: Micah Gee

 John Legend
John Legend has been playing the piano and singing since he
was a young child
He later came to be a leader in his choir during college
While in college, John studied english and then worked at a
Consultant
He continued to play and perform while he consulted
John Legend got his big break when he met Kayne West and
then started to become a popular artist in high demand
 Common and Rhymefest
Common is an actor, film producer, poet
and started his music career as an
underground rapper
He has a big underground following and
transitioned into a top charts seller
Rhymefest currently works with writers
to improve their musical works
It has taken a while for Rhymefest to find
his place in life as he has had many
careers
 Equal Rights
The song Glory was written recently in 2014
It was written for the movie Selma which was a very impactful film
The movie was the account of Martin Luther Kings campaign to get
equal voting rights for all even though he was faced with violent
opposition
The march started from Selma to Montgomery where President
Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965
This was one of the most significant victories for the civil rights
movement
Even today, some people feel that they still do not have equal rights
 Meaning of Song

Common explained that the song was written for those who contributed
to change for equality
He also explained that we still have problems that we need to deal with
and he was writing for those people who create change
It was an anthem for freedom, justice and change
The song was really to inspire people
 African American Civil Rights
In the mid 60s, the government finally
decided to slowly make changes and
implement new laws
During the civil rights era, many African
American leaders stepped up to make a
difference
These people did what it took to bring
about change in society
All they wanted was freedom and equality
African American Civil Rights
African Americans lacked many rights as
there were laws in place to stop them
There was segregation and race inspired
violence occurring
They were not allowed to ride on certain
areas of public transportation, use common
bathrooms and did not enjoy the same
amenities
African Americans peacefully protested to
try to bring about change
 Stylistic Choices
The song Glory states, The movement is a rhythm to us.
Another really meaningful line was, Freedom is like religion to
us.
This lines really tie onto my earlier points about how everyone
needs freedom and how important it was for obtain it
 Stylistic Choices

Impactful Lyrics:
That's why Rosa sat on the bus, That's why we
walk through Ferguson with our hands up
Saw the face of Jim Crow under an eagle
Justice is just a position in us