John Legend

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
 This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (December 2008)
This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2008)
(Find sources: John Legend – news, books, scholar)
John Legend
Legend performing at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on December 5, 2008.
Legend performing at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on December 5, 2008.
Background information
Birth name John Stephens
Born December 28, 1978 (1978-12-28) (age 30)
Origin Springfield, Ohio, United States
Genre(s) R&B, soul, pop
Occupation(s) Singer–songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor
Instrument(s) Vocals, piano, keyboards
Voice type(s) Baritone[1]
Years active 2001–present
Label(s) Sony Urban Music, GOOD Music
Website www.johnlegend.com

John Stephens (born December 28, 1978), better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American recording artist, musician and actor. He is the recipient of six Grammy Awards, and in 2007, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[2]

Prior to the release of his debut album, Legend's career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists. Legend added his voice to those of other artists, assisting in them reaching chart-topper hits. He lent his voice to that of Kanye West, on Slum Village's "Selfish", and Dilated Peoples' "This Way". Other artists included Jay-Z's "Encore", and sang backing vocals on Alicia Keys' 2003 song "You Don't Know My Name" and Fort Minor's "High Road." Legend played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything".

Contents

[edit] Life and career

[edit] 1978–2003: Early life and career beginnings

Legend was born John Stephens on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio.[3] He is the son of Phyllis, a seamstress, and Ronald, a factory worker who spent two years in the National Guard.[4][5] At the age of four, Legend began playing the piano and at the age of seven, he performed with his church choir. When he was ten, his parents divorced, causing his mother to suffer a breakdown.[5] At the age of 12, Legend attended North High School, where he graduated from four years later.[6]

Legend attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied English with an emphasis on African American literature.[7] While in college, he helmed Counterparts, a co-ed jazz and pop a cappella group as president (1997–1998) and musical director (1998–1999). Legend's lead vocals on the group's recording of Prince's "One of Us" propelled the song to critical acclaim [8] landing the song on the track list of the 1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella compilation CD.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Legend began working as a management consultant for the Fortune 500 companies.[6] Before becoming a mainstream artist, Legend joined the nightclub circuit in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., performing as an independent artist and selling the live LPs John Stephens and Live at SOB's.

Legend's roommate and college classmate, Devon Harris, professionally known as Devo Springsteen, introduced Legend to his cousin and then up-and-coming hip hop artist Kanye West. Since that meeting, Legend and West have worked closely, with West signing Legend as the first artist to his new label, GOOD Music. Legend sang many of the melodic hooks on West’s demo which would eventually become the Grammy Award-winning album The College Dropout; in turn, West provided rhythm tracks for Legend’s demo, which would evolve into Get Lifted. Recently, Legend contributed to Common's LP, Be, and provided vocals for "High Road" on the album The Rising Tied by Fort Minor (Mike Shinoda).

[edit] 2004–2005: Get Lifted

His debut studio album, the multiplatinum-selling Get Lifted, was released in late 2004, and features collaborations with rapper and producer Kanye West as well as Snoop Dogg. Get Lifted produced two singles:His first song "Ordinary People" (US and UK top 30) went straight to number 1 {{and "Used to Love U" (US top 100, UK top 30)

[edit] 2006–2007: Once Again

The first single from his second album, Once Again, was "Save Room". The album was released October 24, 2006, and boasts production from Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq, and will.i.am. In an interview with MTV, Legend said that this album contained his favorite song that he had written to date, entitled "Again." He said he came up with the idea for the song and wrote some of it while sitting on a subway. He stated that the song was also the inspiration for the album's title[citation needed].

In August 2006, Legend appeared in an episode of Sesame Street. He performed a song entitled "It Feels Good When You Sing a Song", a duet with Hoots the Owl.[9] He also performed during the pregame show of Super Bowl XL in Detroit and the halftime show at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.[10][11]

[edit] 2008–present: Evolver

Legend released his third studio album Evolver, in October 2008.[12] Rapper Andre 3000 of OutKast is featured on the first single of the album on a song titled "Green Light". "It's going to be a surprise for a lot of John Legend fans, because it is a lot more upbeat than John is — than people think John is," Andre insisted. "I was actually happy to hear it. This is a cool John Legend song"[13]. The next single from 'Evolver' has been confirmed as 'Everybody Knows'.

[edit] Collaborations

  • In 2005, he was featured in the Fort Minor song High Road.
  • In 2006, he is also featured in Sérgio Mendes collaboration album, "Timeless (Sérgio Mendes album)". Legend sang "Please Baby Don't".
  • In 2007, John lent his vocals for the Rich Boy track Ghetto Rich.
  • John Legend Collaborated with Colombian Rock artist Juanes at the 2008 Latin Grammys. Legend sang in Spanish along with Juanes, on the bilingual version of the song "Si tu estas ahi" also known as "If You Are Out There".
  • He is featured in the Black Eyed Peas song, "Like That". The song "Ordinary People" was originally meant to be for a Black Eyed Peas project, but Legend decided to keep it for himself and recorded the song after he had been signed to Columbia Records.
  • Legend was working with Michael Jackson on a future album. his next album. In a Dutch interview with reporter Tom Theunisz he was asked about this collaboration. His response was that he'd written one song for the upcoming album, but was unsure about whether Jackson would be using it. John said he has written one song for Jackson's album but is not sure he will use it or not.[14]

Legend also sang "The Girl is Mine" and the national anthem along with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report.

  • Legend is featured on the sixth track, "Heartbreaker", of MSTRKRFT's second album Fist of God.
  • He collaborated with Fergie for her song "Finally" on her 2006 debut album "The Dutchess".
  • Legend is featured in T.I.'s song "Slide Show" on his album Paper Trail.
  • He is also featured in the song "Magnificent" by Rick Ross.
  • Legend also collaborated with Reggae legend Buju Banton on the track 'Can't Be My Lover'. The track is one of the biggest mixes of R&B and Reggae/Dancehall in years.

[edit] Music videos and acting career

John Legend's remake of Stevie Wonder's 1974 hit song Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing appeared in Will Smith/Eva Mendes' Hitch (film) and on the soundtrack of the movie.

The 2007 video for his single, "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)", features Alexandre Rodrigues and Melvin Bragg from the critically acclaimed film, City of God.

Legend's songs in movies:

  • "Refuge" appears on the soundtrack to the 2006 film The Second Chance.
  • "Dare to Dream" is in the 2007 movie Pride.
  • "Someday" is part of the soundtrack to the 2007 film August Rush.

Legend has a minor, non-speaking role in the 2008 movie Soul Men where he plays the deceased lead singer of a fictitious soul group that includes Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac.

[edit] Endeavors

 Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (February 2009)

[edit] Television appearances and commercials

  • He performed "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch at the 2006 Major League Baseball All Star Game in Pittsburgh, PA.[15]
  • He appeared on the season finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm, singing a cover of You Don't Know Me. He also appeared on an episode of the television series "Las Vegas" in February 2007 performing his single "Save Room" solo at the end of the episode.
  • Legend appears in a recent commercial for a Lexus SUV, in which Legend is shown listening to Nina Simone's "Backlash Blues" (recorded live in Paris, 1968, on The Great Show LP) and describing his experience with the music. He is also notable for performing closing music in many of Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs' keynote presentations.
  • In a 2008 Target commercial, Legend performed a piece of his song "Slow Dance" to pitch his new album "available exclusively at Target." The commercial was shown during online streaming episodes of NBC programs.
  • Legend performed several numbers live in front of hundreds of thousands of fans during the July 4, 2008 celebration on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia.
  • Legend appeared on CNN Heroes 2008, which was taped November 22, 2008, and was televised November 27, 2008.
  • John Legend appeared to perform the song in duet with Colombian rock singer Juanes during the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on November 13, 2008. The version they performed was sang mostly in Spanish by both singers, with only a few lines in English.
  • On Sunday, May 17, 2009, Legend was the commencement speaker for the University of Pennsylvania's 2009 graduation ceremonies. Amy Goodman happened to be in the audience, and she must have been moved because she televised the speech the following Tuesday, May 19, 2009 on Democracy Now!. [20].

[edit] Charities and endorsements

Legend performs during the first night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

On 7 July 2007, Legend participated in the Live Earth concert in London, performing "Ordinary People". On July 8, 2007, he participated in the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, with India.Arie. On July 11, 2007, he participated in the Jazz Open Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, with Amy Winehouse.

On September 21, 2008, Legend performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK in conjunction with the Peace One Day concert. He sang Green Light, and If You're Out There.

Legend recently launched The Show Me Campaign,[21] through which his fans are encouraged to donate funds toward improving the living situations and prospects of victims of extreme poverty in Mbola, Tanzania. Legend, in early 2008, began touring with Professor Jeff Sachs of Columbia University's Earth Institute to promote sustainable development as an achievable goal.

Legend returned to his hometown of Springfield, Ohio on Christmas Eve 2007 for a "Coming Home Christmas Benefit Concert" in the auditorium of North High School. The performance featured several local talent from Springfield, including Legend's younger brother Vaughn Anthony Stephens who helped organize the concert. The performance also featured a tribute to Jason Collier and proceeds went to a scholarship fund set up in his name for local high schoolers.[22]

Legend is currently[when?] a spokesperson for Bailey's alcoholic beverage. He also spoke on behalf of The Polka Dotz at Milwaukee's 2008 German Fest.

Legend performed and spoke at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, on behalf of the Barack Obama Presidential campaign in April 2008.[23] He later performed "If You're Out There" from the album Evolver and a duet of Will.i.am's "Yes we can" at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Legend performed a half-hour set list in support of Barack Obama in his hometown of Springfield, as well as at The Ohio State University and Wright State University campuses on September 29, 2008.

[edit] Philanthropy

After reading Professor Jeffrey Sachs' book, The End of Poverty, Legend was inspired to visit Ghana to learn more about making life better for the people who live under the poverty line. This is when he started his "Show Me Campaign" in 2007. With this campaign, Legend is calling on his fans to help him in his initiative for those who reside in Bossaso Village[where?] and non-profit organizations that the campaign partners with.

Legend returns to his hometown of Springfield, Ohio to give a free benefit concert in support of Barack Obama

In 2007, Legend became the spokesman for GQ Magazine's "Gentlemen's Fund", an initiative to raise support and awareness for five cornerstones essential to men: opportunity, health, education, environment, and justice.[citation needed]

In May 2007, Legend partnered with Tide laundry detergent to raise awareness about the need of families in St. Bernard Parish,[where?] one of the most devastated areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. He spent a day folding laundry at the Tide "clean start" mobile laundromat and visited homes that Tide is helping to rebuild in that community.

In October 2007, Legend became involved expand with a project sponsored by The Gap, a retail clothing store chain in the United States. Through their "project red campaign", (also called 2 WEEKS). The Gap's contribution to their global fund from the sale of each (2 WEEKS) t-shirt is equivalent to the average cost of 2 weeks of anti-retroviral medicine in Africa, which enables people living with HIV to lead healthy, normal lives.

Legend is also the National spokesperson for and has performed benefit concerts for "Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). MLT is a national non-profit organization that has made ground-breaking progress assisting the next generation of African American, Hispanic and Native American leaders in major corporations, non-profit organizations and entrepreneurial ventures.expand[citation needed]

[edit] Fan appreciation

On July 26, 2007, Legend hosted a John Legend Network Members Only Party and Concert called "The Kings & Queens Bash" at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. There were 500 participants in attendance and he introduced the acts from his new label, Homeschool Records to his John Legend Network fans: Estelle, his brother, Vaughn Anthony Stephens, Lucy Woodward and The James Gang.

On July 25, 2008, at the Highline Ballroom in New York City,[24] John Legend planned another annual private event for his fans that are members of the John Legend Network called "John Legend Unplugged". Legend performed a 21-song set list, including a lot of the new songs that will be on his upcoming album, Evolver, so John Legend Network members were the first to hear the new songs. After the party, John greeted each individual on their way out and took pictures with fans.

[edit] Discography

Main article: John Legend discography

[edit] Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Sesame Street Himself
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Sesame Street: Elmo Loves You! Himself
Soul Men Marcus Hooks

[edit] Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by John Legend

[edit] References

  1. ^ Weiss, Jeff (2009-01-15). "Live: John Legend at the Gibson Amphitheatre". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-legend15-2009jan15,0,7455140.story. Retrieved on 2009-01-17. 
  2. ^ "Songwriters Hall of Fame". Induction for John Legend. Artisan News. June 22, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcB47sMgEno. Retrieved on 2009-06-26. 
  3. ^ Southern, Nathan. "John Legend - Biography". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/artist/john-legend-496659/bio. Retrieved on 2009-06-05. 
  4. ^ "Soul savior?". The Washington Times. 2005-04-14. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/apr/14/20050414-090343-1087r/print/. Retrieved on 2009-06-27. 
  5. ^ a b Simpson, Dave (2005-08-22). "Legend in his own lunchtime". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/aug/22/popandrock.johnlegend. Retrieved on 2008-12-05. 
  6. ^ a b "Singer/songwriter John Legend got early start". USA Today. Gannett Company. 2005-07-28. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-07-28-legend-early-start_x.htm. Retrieved on 2009-06-27. 
  7. ^ "The Best New Artist Is Already a Legend". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/08/AR2006020802563.html. Retrieved on 2006-02-09. 
  8. ^ "RARB REVIEW". RARB. http://www.rarb.org/reviews/54.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  9. ^ "Legend, Foxx Hangin' on 'Sesame Street'". Spin. Spin Media. 2006-07-26. http://www.spin.com/articles/legend-foxx-hangin-sesame-street. Retrieved on 2009-06-27. 
  10. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On R. Kelly, Jamie Foxx, Green Day, Hilary Duff, Diddy, Tommy Lee & More". MTV. 2006-01-19. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1521221/20060119/kelly_r.jhtml?headlines=true. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  11. ^ "John Legend and Carrie Underwood Set for All-Star Halftime Show". NBA. 2006-02-15. http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/Legend_Underwood_060215.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  12. ^ "Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. with John Legend". The Washington Post. 2008-04-04. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/04/03/DI2008040301941.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  13. ^ Adler, Shawn (2008-02-28). "Andre 3000 Says He Didn't Even Try To Top Will Ferrell's Comic Chops On 'Semi-Pro' Set". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1582526/story.jhtml. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  14. ^ interview
  15. ^ "Musical performers announced for Major League Baseball All-Star Week". MLB. 2006-06-29. http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060629&content_id=1529530&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  16. ^ "Yes We Can — Barack Obama Music Video". YouTube. 2008-02-02. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  17. ^ Haslett, Cassidy (2008-02-29). "WWE SmackDown! February 29, 2008 Results". Wrestling 101. http://www.wrestling101.com/101/newsitem/5245/. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  18. ^ Donahue, Ann (February 22, 2009). "'Slumdog' Sweeps Music Oscars". Billboard. http://billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i2f1cb016d0c17844c9bfd493cdef6b44?imw=Y. Retrieved on February 24, 2009. 
  19. ^ Kreps, Daniel (February 23, 2009). "Oscars: “Slumdog” Scores Best Picture and Music Category Sweep, Penn Wins Best Actor". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/02/23/oscars-slumdog-scores-best-picture-and-music-category-sweep-penn-wins-best-actor/. Retrieved on February 24, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Grammy-Winning Soul Musician John Legend at UPenn Commencement: “A Commitment to Truth Requires a Commitment to Social Justice”". Democracy Now!. 2009-05-19. http://www.democracynow.org/2009/5/19/a_commitment_to_truth_requires_a. Retrieved on 2009-05-19. 
  21. ^ "The Show Me Campaign". The Show Me Campaign. http://www.showmecampaign.org/. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  22. ^ "John Legend home for Christmas concert". USA Today. 2007-12-25. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-12-25-463102828_x.htm. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  23. ^ Houston, Ryan (2008-04-15). "A Penn Legend serenades campus". The Daily Pennsylvanian. http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2008/04/15/News/A.Penn.Legend.Serenades.Campus-3324899.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-05-13. 
  24. ^ "Official Site=Ticket Announcement". 2008-07-16. http://www.johnlegendnetwork.com/web/guest/join. Retrieved on 2008-07-16. 

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: John Legend
Awards
Preceded by
Maroon 5		 Grammy Award for Best New Artist
2006		 Succeeded by
Carrie Underwood
v • d • e
John Legend
Albums
Singles
"Used to Love U" · "Ordinary People" · "Number One" · "So High" · "Save Room" · "Heaven" · "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)" · "Stereo" · "Another Again" · "Slow Dance" · "Show Me" · "Each Day Gets Better" · "Green Light" · "If You're Out There" · "Everybody Knows"
Featured singles
"Feel This Way" · "Finally" · "Magnificent"
Related articles
v • d • e
GOOD Music
Founders
Artists
Big Sean · Common · Consequence · Fonzworth Bentley · GLC · John Legend · Kid Cudi · Malik Yusef · Mr Hudson & The Library · Really Doe · Sa-Ra · Tony Williams
Albums Released
Upcoming Release
Related articles
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Legend"
Personal tools