John Legend is an American singer, songwriter and pianist whose blend of R&B and soul made him one of the most decorated artists of his generation. Born John Roger Stephens on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio, he sang in church as a child and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.
Get Lifted
After playing piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything” and becoming the first artist signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, he released Get Lifted (2004). The ballad “Ordinary People” anchored an album that won three Grammys, including Best New Artist.
Building a catalogue
Once Again (2006) brought “Heaven”, Evolver (2008) carried “Green Light”, and his collaborative album with The Roots, Wake Up! (2010), won another Grammy. He also recorded “I Can Change” with Snoop Dogg on his debut.
All of Me
Love in the Future (2013), with production help from Pharrell Williams, delivered “All of Me”, his first number one and one of the best-selling singles of the 2010s. He later recorded “Lay Me Down” with Sam Smith.
EGOT
“Glory” with Common, written for the film Selma, won an Oscar and a Grammy. In 2018 Legend became the first Black man to win the EGOT, completing Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony wins. He also coaches on The Voice.
Most loved songs
A spread across the catalogue. Each title opens through the in-site player.
- Full nameJohn Roger Stephens
- BornDecember 28, 1978, Springfield, Ohio
- GenresR&B, soul
- Also known for“All of Me” and his EGOT
From a wedding-day ballad to a civil-rights anthem, the odds are good a John Legend song has stayed with you. Type the line you remember into the search box above and you may find it leads back to him.