John Legend & the Roots

During the 2008 presidential election, John Legend and The Roots were inspired to work on a collaborative album together and the product of their efforts, Wake Up!, was released on September 21, 2010. The album features the prolific soul singer and hip-hop band covering protest songs and conscious soul classics from a variety of artists from the 60s and 70s, with guest appearances from Common and Melanie Fiona.

Produced entirely by Legend, songs covered on the album include Marvin Gaye's Wholy Holy, Donny Hathaway's Little Ghetto Boy, Baby Huey and the Babysitters' Hard Times, and Mike James Kirkland's Hang on in There. The first single, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Wake Up Everybody, features guest spots by Common and Melanie Fiona.