John-Roger Stevens (December 28, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Born in Springfield, Ohio, USA, he developed a keen interest in music from an early age. He began performing for his church choir at the age of 4. John began to play the piano when he was only 7 years old.
During his college years, he served as past president and music director for a music group called Counterparts. After releasing numerous studio albums, Legend has also collaborated with artists such as Kanye West, Britney Spears, and Lauryn Hill. In 2015, he received an Oscar for the song Glory, which he wrote for the historical film Selma.
He has also received several other significant awards, including ten Grammy Awards as well as a Golden Globe Award. He is also an actor and starred in the hit film La La Land, winning six Oscars. He is known for his charitable activities.
John’s success story
John has become an in-demand session musician and songwriter, working with artists such as Alicia Keys, Twista, Janet Jackson, and Kanye West.
John’s debut album “Get Lifted” (2004), won three Grammy Awards. After two more solo albums, he released his collaboration with Roots “Wake Up!” in 2010. Legend also appeared in a TV duet competition as a coach ahead of the release of his next album, “Love in the Future” (2013).
The artist received awards such as Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammy awards for the song Glory from the 2014 film Selma, and then received an Emmy for his performance in the production of Live Concert of Jesus Christ Superstars.
Starting from the beginning, Legend’s grandmother taught him how to play the piano, and he grew up singing in the church choir. Then he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he led a group of chapels. After graduation, he switched his skills and worked for the Boston Consulting Group, but continued to perform in New York City nightclubs.
Legend has become a sought-after session musician and songwriter, working with artists such as Alicia Keys, Twista, and Janet Jackson. He was soon introduced to aspiring hip-hop artist Kanye West, and both musicians participated in each other’s demos.
Career Breakthrough: “Get Lifted”
Legend’s debut album, Get Lifted in 2004, went platinum thanks in part to the hit “Ordinary People”, a song he originally wrote for the Black Eyed Peas. He returned home with three Grammy Awards for “Get Lifted”: Best R&B Album, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and Best New Artist. Legend’s second album was Again Again, which was released in 2006.
Legend’s musical talent made him a major star. John competed in the XL Super Bowl in Detroit in 2006, the NBA All-Star Game, and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.
After that John released several new albums including Evolver (2008) which proved to be a modest hit and the album itself reached the top of the R & B / hip-hop charts.
In the same year, John appeared in front of the cameras with a supporting role in the comedy “People of the Soul,” starring Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson.
“Wake Up!” and duets
In 2010, the singer released “Wake Up!”, which he recorded with Roots. The album received acclaim from music critics and took on the melodies that have become famous artists such as Marvin Gaye and Nina Simone. Curtis Mayfield’s “Hard Times” was one of the record’s major singles; another hit, “Shine,” earned him a Grammy, then “He and Roots” also won a Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2011.
Legend participated in a reality show with a vocal duet competition in the summer of 2012. He has worked alongside Kelly Clarkson, Robin Thicke, and Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland. Music stars trained and performed with the participants of the competition. Later, he released a new track for Quentin Tarantino’s film Django Unchained.
Recognition for “All of Me” and “Glory”
In 2013, he released his next solo album Love in the Future, which featured the # 1 ballad “All of Me,” as well as tracks such as “Made to Love” and “You & I”. In 2015, the songwriter, together with rapper Common, won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song “Glory” from the film Selma.
On October 7, 2016, the singer released a new single “Love Me Now”. And in December he also released his fifth solo studio album, Darkness, and Light, which featured Miguel and Chance the Rapper.
In early 2018, Legend prepared to star in NBC’s Live Concert of Jesus Christ Superstars as a religious leader in the last days.
John Legend’s personal life and family
Besides music, Legend is involved in numerous social and charitable causes. He is a supporter of Harlem Village Academy, a New York-based organization that operates several charter schools. Legend is vice chairman of the board of directors of HVA.
He explained to Black Enterprise magazine why education is so important to him: “I come from a city where 40-50% of our children drop out of school. I did well in high school and then went to Ivy League school, but I was the exception. We need to do more to ensure that every child receives a quality education. ”
Continuing his commitment to education reform, Legend lent his song “Shine” for the 2010 documentary Waiting for Superman. The film takes a critical look at the country’s public school system.
Legend became engaged to model Chrissy Teigen when the couple was on vacation in the Maldives in late 2011. On April 14, 2016, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Luna Simone. On May 16, 2018, they announced that they were expecting their second son, Miles Theodore Stevens.
