John Legend steps into sacred territory with powerhouse gospel artist Tasha Cobbs Leonard on her stirring new single, “Church,” a soulful anthem that reimagines spirituality beyond the pews.
Lifted from Leonard’s debut studio album TASHA, out now via Motown Gospel, “Church” is more than just a duet — it’s a dialogue on divine presence in everyday life. Produced by Kenneth Leonard Jr., the song bridges gospel tradition with modern soul, pop, and R&B sensibilities, culminating in a powerful meditation on what it means to worship outside of Sunday.
Leonard’s opening lines are raw and reverent:
“God, it’s just / You and me now / Tell me what to do now / Teach me how to have church on a Monday.”
Legend joins with equal conviction, singing:
“Now I’m understanding / You’re more than a building / When the service is over / I’ll still be singing.”
For Leonard, the collaboration was a spiritual and creative synergy.
“Working with John Legend on ‘Church’ was an incredible experience — his talent, authenticity, and heart made this collaboration so special,” she shared. “Together, we created a song that captures the essence of finding sacred moments in our everyday lives.”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard and John Legend. (Courtesy Photo)
“Church” anchors TASHA, an album Leonard describes as her most personal work to date. Alongside features from Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, and Chandler Moore, the album weaves gospel roots with vibrant layers of hip-hop and ‘80s R&B to reflect a spiritual journey in real time.
“This album is the truest expression of who I am right now,” Leonard says. “It’s vulnerable, it’s honest, it’s joyful — and it’s rooted in everything I believe about God meeting us exactly where we are.”
Motown Gospel
The momentum won’t stop with the album. Leonard is set to launch her Whole & Free Tour this fall, hitting cities like Chicago, Brooklyn, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Birmingham, before wrapping on November 9 at Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. Tickets are available now at tashacobbsleonard.com.
As for John Legend, “Church” follows his recent duet with Norah Jones, “Summertime Blue,” and arrives just ahead of his Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour, which kicks off August 23 in Chicago. The North American run will span Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Toronto, Philadelphia, and more before concluding December 9 in Oakland — a celebration of his iconic 2004 debut album Get Lifted.
