The Inspiration behind John Legend's Impala Spot

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The first ad spot of John Legend's new marketing campaign with Chevy Impala wasn't a run-of-the-mill commercial, as there was a special meaning behind it for the singer-songwriter.

Legend's recent single "Made to Love" provides the soundtrack to a Chevy Impala spot that debuted last week during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the first product of his new campaign with the carmaker.


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The Ohio native, who broke out in the music industry with his 2005 hit "Ordinary People," now reveals his personal connection to the spot, which harkens back to his days as an emerging musician.

"I moved here [to New York City] pretty soon after I graduated college, and I came here with the explicit purpose of trying to make it big in the record industry," Legend describes of the backstory behind the shoot, set in his old New York neighborhood.

"[It's about] finding my own path here in New York City. I've written songs in my apartment on my piano. I've been inspired by the city to create."


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The concept behind the video was created by director Spike Lee's advertising agency Spike DDB and director Anthony Mandler, producer of the spot, who previously produced Legend's "Everybody Knows."

The 34-year-old singer and pianist's "Made to Love" is his latest single off his forthcoming album Love in the Future, which is scheduled for release on September 3.

Watch the video above for a behind-the-scenes look at John Legend's 2014 Chevy Impala spot.