John Legend as an Entertainer

John Legend is one of the most acclaimed entertainers in modern musical history. Dynamic, talented, and full of inspiration, he has had a long career filled with successes and achievements as an actor, singer/songwriter, and philanthropist. From his Grammy awards to his Tony nominations, it is no wonder John Legend is highly renowned for his talent, charisma, and devotion to making meaningful music. John Roger Stephens, aka John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record producer. John has won twelve Grammy Awards and received thirty-three Grammy Award nominations. He has also won an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award, making him an EGOT winner. John Legend is the first African-American man to win all four major North American entertainment awards.

John did not become a Grammy winner overnight. While in college at the University of Pennsylvania, John met American hip-hop singer, songwriter, and artist Lauryn Hill, who asked him to be the featured pianist on her song “Everything Is Everything.” The song was on her landmark 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Then, after graduation, John worked for three years as a business management consultant in New York while performing gigs at night. In 2001, he was introduced to emerging producer Kanye West and began contributing keyboard and backing vocals to songs by other artists, including Alic.

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John founded several foundations, including the Show Me Campaign and FREE AMERICA, to address poverty, education reform, and criminal justice reform. John’s commitment to community service has often been combined with his artistic talents, exemplified in “Glory,” a song about the American civil rights movement that he collaborated with Common for the award-winning 2014 film Selma. This song won the two musicians an Oscar. John Legend is one of the most iconic figures in music. He has paved the road to success with determined tenacity and creative ambition throughout his career.