John Legend

John Legend
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Name	John Legend
Caption	John Legend in 2014
Birth name	John Roger Stephens
Birth date	December 28, 1978
Birth place	Springfield, Ohio
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
Genre	R&B, pop, soul
Instrument	Vocals, piano
Years active	2000–present
Label	GOOD Music, Columbia Records, Sony Music
Associated acts	Kanye West, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Lauryn Hill

John Legend is a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actor, known for his soulful voice and captivating stage presence, often compared to Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Prince. Born in Springfield, Ohio, he began singing in his church choir and later attended University of Pennsylvania, where he befriended Lauryn Hill and began performing at The Apollo Theater. His music career took off after meeting Kanye West, who signed him to GOOD Music and introduced him to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. He has since collaborated with numerous artists, including The Roots, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige.

Early life and education

John Legend was born John Roger Stephens on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio, to Phyllis, a seamstress, and Ronald Stephens, a factory worker and former National Guard member. He grew up in a musical family and began singing in his church choir at Springfield Baptist Church, where he was influenced by Gospel music and Soul music. He attended North High School and later enrolled at University of Pennsylvania, where he studied English literature and became the president of the Cooley Lounge a cappella group. During his time at University of Pennsylvania, he befriended Lauryn Hill and began performing at The Apollo Theater in New York City.

Music career

John Legend's music career took off after meeting Kanye West, who signed him to GOOD Music and introduced him to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. His debut album, Get Lifted, was released in 2004 to critical acclaim, featuring the hit singles Ordinary People and She Don't Have to Know. He has since released several successful albums, including Once Again, Evolver, and Love in the Future, collaborating with artists such as The Roots, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige. His music often incorporates elements of R&B, Pop music, and Soul music, drawing inspiration from Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Prince.

Acting and other ventures

In addition to his music career, John Legend has also pursued acting, appearing in films such as La La Land, Selma, and Django Unchained. He has also made guest appearances on television shows like Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He has been a coach on The Voice and has partnered with SoulCycle to create a fitness program. He has also collaborated with Google to create a virtual reality experience and has invested in several companies, including Spotify and Uber.

Personal life

John Legend is married to Chrissy Teigen, a model and television personality, and they have two children together, Luna Simone Stephens and Miles Theodore Stephens. He is a self-proclaimed Democrat and has been involved in several charitable organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the United Service Organizations. He has also been a vocal supporter of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and has performed at several Democratic National Convention events.

Philanthropy and activism

John Legend is a dedicated philanthropist and activist, supporting several causes, including Education, Criminal justice reform, and LGBT rights. He has worked with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the United Service Organizations, and the Show Me Campaign, which he founded in 2007 to support education and Arts education initiatives. He has also been a vocal advocate for Gun control and has performed at several benefit concerts, including the One Love Manchester concert and the March for Our Lives rally.

Discography

John Legend's discography includes several successful albums, including Get Lifted, Once Again, Evolver, Wake Up!, Love in the Future, and Darkness and Light. He has also released several singles, including Ordinary People, She Don't Have to Know, Save Room, and All of Me, which have been certified Gold or Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Awards and nominations

John Legend has won numerous awards, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, and Tony Awards. He has been nominated for several Emmy Awards and has won several BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards. He has also been recognized for his philanthropic work, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2016 and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Spingarn Medal in 2017. He has been named one of Time magazine's Time 100 most influential people in the world and has been featured on the covers of several magazines, including Rolling Stone, Vogue, and GQ. Category:American singers