John Legend

John Roger Stephens was born on 28 December 1978, in Springfield, Ohio, in the United States, to Ronald Lamar Stephens and Phyllis Elaine. Interested in music from an early age, he started singing in the church choir when he was four. He also learnt playing the piano from his grandmother.

He was homeschooled for some years, after which he attended the North High School. Later, despite being offered admission in Harvard University, and scholarships from Georgetown University as well as Morehouse College, he went to the University of Pennsylvania.

There, he served as president and musical director of a pop a cappella group named Counterparts. Because of his amazing talents, he also became a member of prestigious societies, such as Sphinx Senior Society and Onyx Senior Honor Society.

During the early days of his career, John Roger Stephens used to perform in nightclubs, as well as hold shows throughout the country. He also collaborated with star musicians such as Alicia Keys and Kanye West.

His debut album ‘Get Lifted’ was released in 2004. With hit singles, such as ‘Ordinary People’, ‘Number One’, and ‘So High’, the album performed brilliantly, peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200. It received mostly positive reviews. It won the 2006 ‘Grammy Award’ for the Best R&B Album.

Slowly, Stephens started gaining popularity and through the ensuing years, he was featured in several significant albums of popular stars, such as Fort Minor, Jay-Z, and Stephen Colbert. It was during this time that he started being known as John Legend, instead of his legal name.

In 2006, his second studio album ‘Once Again’ was released. Debuting at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, the album became a big hit. Its hit song ‘Heaven’ won Legend his second Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performances.

His next album ‘Evolver,’ released in 2008, was even a bigger success. Debuting at fourth position on the US Billboard 200, the album has sold more than 600,000 copies in the US alone. Two years later, he collaborated with the hip hop band The Roots, and released the album ‘Wake up!’ The album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best R&B album.

‘Wake Up’, a studio album by John Legend, on which he had collaborated with the hip hop band ‘The Roots’ is among his most significant and successful works. Debuting at eighth position on the US Billboard 200, the album sold 63,000 copies within its first week and went on to win the 2010 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. It received mostly positive reviews from critics.

‘Love in the Future’ which was released in 2013, is also among John Legend’s important works. The album, which included singles such as ‘Open Your Eyes’, ‘All Of Me’, and ‘Dreams’ debuted at fourth position at the US Billboard 200. It became a hit in several countries and topped the charts in UK, Netherlands, South Africa and New Zealand. It received mostly positive reviews.

‘The Oscar wining song ‘Glory’, which was released in late 2014, can be regarded as Legend’s most significant critically acclaimed work. It was performed by Legend in collaboration with rapper Lonnie Rashid Lynn, or Common. It served as the theme song of the 2014 historical drama film ‘Selma’. The song debuted at number 49 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also became popular in countries such as Spain, Belgium and Australia. The song, which won several awards, also earned Legend the Oscar at the 87th Academy Awards.

‘Darkness & Light’ is the fifth and the latest studio album of John Legend. With singles such as ‘Love Me Now’, and ‘I Know Better’, the album debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200. It sold 26,000 copies within the first week.