Before becoming a six time Grammy Award winner, John Stephens was born on December 28, 1978 in Springfield, Ohio. By the time he was 4 years old, John was playing the piano and by the time he was seven, he was singing and playing the piano in the church choir. After the mental breakdown of his mother,

John Legend

“We’re just ordinary people, we don’t know which way to go, cause we’re ordinary people, maybe we should take it slow…”-Ordinary People Known for his original lyrics, unique vocal arrangements and captivating stage presence, John Legend has an old school sound with a new school vibe.

Before he was John Legend

Before becoming a six time Grammy Award winner, John Stephens was born on December 28, 1978 in Springfield, Ohio. By the time he was 4 years old, John was playing the piano and by the time he was seven, he was singing and playing the piano in the church choir. After the mental breakdown of his mother, he no longer able to be homeschooled and began high school at the age of 12. At the age of sixteen, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania.

While in college, John co-founded the co-ed jazz/pop a cappella group, Counterparts. After working with the group for two years, he was introduced to Lauryn Hill. Immediately, he was hired to play the piano on Lauryn Hill’s number one single from her debut solo album, “Everything is Everything.” After graduating with a Liberal Arts degree in English, John began working as a business consult in Boston and in his spare time began working on his demo. In 2001, he was introduced to Kayne West and got a contract to sing the hooks for his songs.

From Stephens to a legend

He later signed a recording contract with Kayne West and in 2004. Before releasing his first album, John Stephens, now known as John Legend, worked with Dilated Peoples, Jay-Z’s number hit, Encore, Alicia Keys in 2003, on, “You Don’t Know My Name,” Fort Minor’s “High Road,” as well as Kayne West.  In December of 2004, He released his debut album, Get Lifted, and peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200 in the first week. This album went platinum and sold more than 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.

The first two singles of the album, Used to Love U, and “Ordinary People” were instant hits and established John Legend as a solo artist.  “Ordinary People” went straight to #1 on the Billboard 100 and the R&B charts. He released his second album, Once Again, in the fall of 2006, and released his third album, Evolver, in October of 2008. The smash single, Green Light, which is a collaboration with Andre 3000 from Outkast, was an upbeat, club banger, something unexpected from the ballad singer. John Legend released his last album, Wake Up Sessions, in 2010.  

Inspired to Give

Many people may not know this, but John Legend is an avid philanthropist and lends his times to multiple charities and awareness programs. In 2007, he organizes the Show Me Campaign, a program dedicated to educating people on making a better life for people that live in impoverished areas. Legend is also supports the Gentlemen’s Fund, a organization that raises awareness and support to promote GQ Magazine’s vision of strong black men. He is also a spokeperson for Tide’s “Clean Start,” that provides support and funds to rebuild communities devasted by natural disasters.

John Legend is also participated in the Hope for Haiti Now fundraiser, perfoming a heart-felt rendition of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”

Did You Know…

… In 2006, John Legend performed and duet with Hoots the Owl on the world famous, Sesame Street show.

… John Legend graduate from high school at the age of 16

… John Legend, played the deceased lead singer in the movie, Soul Men, starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac.

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