John Legend's Biography

Who is John Legend?

John Legend was born John Stephens. He was given the name Legend by a friend from Chicago, who thought he sounded like an old school artist.

As a young boy, John Legend was immersed in music. He sang in the local church choir (his grandfather was the pastor), his grandmother taught him gospel songs and John also had lessons in classical music.

John Legend studied at the University of Pennsylvania and for nine years he was music and choir director at Bethel A.M.E. Church just outside Philadelphia.

Get Lifted was John Legend's major label debut album, released by Columbia Records in 2004, although he had already amassed numerous credits including session work with Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, the Black Eyed Peas and Lauryn Hill.

Legend's most important musical association has been with Kanye West and in 2003 Kanye West signed John Legend as the first artist to his production company, KonMan Entertainment, leading to the deal with Columbia Records.

John Legend made his debut film appearance in Loverboy with Kevin Bacon and Marisa Tomei.

John Legend won best new artist at the 2006 Grammys. Legend's second CD is Once Again.

John Legend works out five days a week for an hour. He sometimes stresses out making sure his voice is in good shape and drinks a tea called Throat Coat for his voice.

In 2008, John Legend commented to the BBC on Stevie Wonder:

"He's a hero of mine and an inspiration for me. I've been influenced by him just about more than any other artist."

In April 2016 John Legend's wife Chrissy Teigen gave birth to a baby girl Luna.

In 2016, he released the album Darkness and Light.

In the same year his daughter Luna was born.

In 2018, John Legend's second child, Miles, was born.

In 2019, John Legend and Kelly Clarkson recorded an updated version of Baby, It's Cold Outside.

In September 2022, the BBC carried an extensive interview with John Legend.

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