Wikipedia

John Legend

John Roger Stephens(born December 28, 1978), known professionally asJohn Legend,is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and actor. He began his musical career working behind the scenes for other artists, playing piano onLauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything,"and performing as an uncredited backing vocalist onJay-Z's "Encore"andAlicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name".He was the first artist to sign withKanye West'sGOOD Music,through which he released his debut studio album,Get Lifted(2004). The album reached the top ten of theBillboard200,receiveddouble platinumcertification by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) and spawned his first hit song, "Ordinary People."

John Legend
Legend in 2019
Born
John Roger Stephens

(1978-12-28)December 28, 1978(age 45)
Springfield, Ohio,U.S.
EducationNorth High School
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania(BA)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • pianist
  • record producer
  • actor
Years active1997–present
AgentTy Stiklorius
Works
Political partyDemocratic[1]
Spouse
​
(m.2013)​
Children4
AwardsFull list
Musical career
OriginPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Labels
Websitejohnlegend

Legend won threeGrammy Awardsfrom eight nominations at the48th Annual Grammy Awards— "Ordinary People" wonBest Male R&B Vocal Performance,Get LiftedwonBest R&B Album,and Legend wonBest New Artist.The album's follow-up single, "So High"(remixed withLauryn Hill), was nominated forBest R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.His second album,Once Again(2006) was met with continued success, supported by the lead single "Save Room."His third album,Evolver(2008) further diversified his artistry with other genres; itsfunk-inspired lead single, "Green Light"(featuringAndré 3000) peaked within the top 30 of theBillboardHot 100and receiveddouble platinumcertification by the RIAA. That same year, Legend released the live albumJohn Legend: Live from Philadelphia(2008), followed by his collaborative album,Wake Up!(2010) withPhiladelphia-based hip hop bandthe Roots.

Legend's fourth studio album,Love in the Future(2013) was preceded by the hit single "All of Me".Thepopballadsaw his furthest commercial success as it peaked atop theBillboardHot 100, spent 23 consecutive weeks in the chart's top ten, and received adiamond (14× platinum)certification by the RIAA. In 2015, he co-performed withMeghan Trainoron her single "Like I'm Gonna Lose You",which peaked at number seven on the chart. The following year, he released his fifth albumDarkness and Light(2016) and departed from GOOD Music. Legend has since releasedA Legendary Christmas(2018),Bigger Love(2020)—which won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album—and his ninth album,Legend(2022).

Throughout his musical career, Legend has received a total of 12 Grammy Awards. In 2007, he won theHal David Starlight Awardfrom theSongwriters Hall of Fame.[2]Legend won theAcademy Award for Best Original SongandGolden Globe Awardfor his 2015 single "Glory"(withCommon), which was released for the filmSelma.He won theNAACP'sPresident's Awardin 2016.[3][4]InBroadwayacting, Legend won aTony Awardfor co-producing the stage playJitney(2017), and portrayed thetitular characterinNBC'sadaptationof the rock operaJesus Christ Superstar(2018). He received aPrimetime Emmy Awardnomination for his acting role, and won the award for his role as a producer of the show, making him the first Black male and second youngest recipient of all four of the major American entertainment awards:Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony(EGOT) in 2018.[5][6]Legend also has served as a vocal coach for the reality competition seriesThe Voicefrom its16th seasonto its22nd season,and again from its24th seasonto itstwenty-fifth season;he became the show's senior coach followingBlake Shelton's 2023 departure.

Early life and education

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John Roger Stephens was born on December 28, 1978, inSpringfield, Ohio.[7]He is the eldest of four children[8]of Phyllis Elaine (née Lloyd), a seamstress, and Ronald Lamar Stephens, afactory workeratInternational Harvester.[9][10][11][12]His father was a drummer, while "his mother sang and directed the church choir, and his grandmother was the church organist."[13]

In 2004, Legend stated that his parents were divorced for 12 years before reuniting.[14]Legend washomeschooledby his mother.[15]He began playing the piano at age 4.[16][17]At the age of 7, he performed with his church choir.[18]Because of his academic talent, he skipped two grades.[13]

At the age of 12, Legend enteredNorth High Schoolin Springfield, Ohio[13]and graduatedsalutatorian.At the age of 15, Legend won a Black History Month essay competition sponsored byMcDonald's,following the prompt "How do you intend to make Black history?" with an essay about how he intended to be a successful musician, according to an interview on theCarlos Watson Show.[19]

At the age of 16, he enrolled at theUniversity of PennsylvaniainPhiladelphia,where he served as president and musical director of the co-edjazzand popa cappellagroup, the Counterparts. His lead vocals on the group's recording ofJoan Osborne's "One of Us",written by fellow University of Pennsylvania alumEric Bazilianofthe Hooters,received critical acclaim, landing the song on the track list of the 1998Best of Collegiate a Cappellacompilation CD.[20]Legend was also a member of theSphinx Senior Society,one of Penn's undergraduate senior societies, and Onyx Senior Honor Society. While at Penn, Legend was introduced to American singerLauryn Hillby a mutual friend; Hill hired him to play piano on "Everything Is Everything",a song from her albumThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.[21]He graduatedmagna cum laudewith a bachelor's degree inEnglish,with an emphasis onAfrican-American literaturein 1999.[22][23]

Career

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Career beginnings

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After graduating from theUniversity of Pennsylvania,Legend worked as amanagement consultantat theBoston Consulting Group (BCG)and began producing, writing, and recording his own music.[13]He released two albums independently: his self-titled demo (2000) andLive at Jimmy's Uptown(2001), which he sold at his shows. He subsequently began working on hisdemoand began sending his work to various record labels.[15][14]

In 2001,Devo Springsteenintroduced Legend toKanye West,then an up-and-coming hip-hop artist; Legend was hired to sing during thehooksof West's music. After signing to West's label, he chose his stage name from an idea that was given to him by poetJ. Ivy,due to what he perceived as an "old-school sound". J. Ivy stated, "I heard your music and it reminds me of that music from the old school. You sound like one of the legends. As a matter of fact, that's what I'm going to call you from now on! I'm going to call you John Legend." After J. Ivy continued to call him by the new moniker "John Legend", others quickly caught on, including Kanye West. Despite Stephens' reluctance to adopt a stage name, he eventually announced his new artist name as John Legend.[21][24]

2004–2007: Debut album and Grammy Award

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Legend released his debut studio album,Get Lifted,throughGOOD Music,in a joint venture withSony BMG'sColumbia Recordsin December 2004. It featured production fromKanye West,Dave Tozer,andwill.i.am,and debuted at number seven on the USBillboard200,selling 116,000 copies in its first week.[25]It went on to sell 540,300 copies in the United States and was certifiedgoldby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA).[26][27]An international success,Get Liftedalso reached number one on theNorwegian Albums Chartand peaked within the top ten in the Netherlands and Sweden, resulting in worldwide sales of 850,000 copies.[21]Critically acclaimed, it won the 2006Grammy Award for Best R&B Album,and earned Legend another two nominal awards forBest New ArtistandBest Male R&B Vocal Performance.Altogether, the album produced foursingles,including debut single "Used to Love U",which entered the top 30 of the New Zealand andUK Singles Chart,and Grammy Award-winning "Ordinary People"which peaked at 24 on theBillboardHot 100.Legend also co-wroteJanet Jackson's "I Want You",which was certified platinum and received a nomination forBest Female R&B Vocal Performanceat the47th Annual Grammy Awards.[28]

Legend was featured on several records in the following years. He appeared on albums byFort Minor,Sérgio Mendes,Jay-Z,Mary J. Blige,the Black Eyed Peas,Stephen Colbert,Rich Boy,MSTRKRFT,Chemistry,andFergie,among others. Legend also tentatively recorded withMichael Jacksonon a future album, for which he had written one song.[29]In August 2006, Legend appeared in an episode ofSesame Street,where he performed the song "It Feels Good When You Sing a Song", a duet withHoots the Owl.[30]He also performed during the pregame show ofSuper Bowl XLin Detroit, and the halftime show at the2006 NBA All-Star Game.[31][32]

In October 2006, Legend's second album,Once Again,was released. Legend co-wrote and co-produced the bulk of the album, which saw him returning to work with West, will.i.am and Tozer, as well as other producers includingRaphael Saadiq,Craig Street,Sa-Ra,Eric Hudson,Devo Springsteen,andAvenue.[33]Released to major commercial success, it reached number three on theBillboard200 and debuted atop theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart. It has since received platinum certification by theRIAA,and attained gold certification in Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. At the2007 Grammy Awards,the song "Heaven"wonBest Male R&B Vocal Performance,while lead single "Save Room"received a nomination in theBest Male Pop Vocalcategory. That same night, Legend wonBest R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocalsfor his cover of "Family Affair",a collaboration withSly & the Family Stone,Joss StoneandVan Hunt,from the former's remix album,Different Strokes by Different Folks(2005).

2008–2010:Evolver

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Legend performing at theTower TheaterinUpper Darby Township, Pennsylvaniain 2009

In January 2008, Legend sang in a video forBarack Obama,produced bywill.i.amcalled "Yes We Can".[34]The same year, Legend had a supporting, singing-only role in the 2008 movieSoul Men,where he plays the deceased lead singer of a fictitious soul group that includesSamuel L. JacksonandBernie Mac.In October, he released his third studio album,Evolver.[35]Speaking about the reasons for calling the albumEvolver,he stated: "I think people sometimes come to expect certain things from certain artists. They expect you to kind of stay in the same place you were at when you started out. Whereas I feel I want my career to be defined by the fact that I'm NOT gonna stay in the same place, and that I'm always gonna try new things and experiment. So, as I think this album represents a manifestation of that, I came up with the title 'Evolver'."[36]The album was preceded bydance-pop-influenced up tempo single "Green Light"which featured rapperAndre 3000ofOutKastand became his highest-charting single since "Ordinary People"; it was also nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.[37]On March 30, 2008, Legend performed "America the Beautiful"in front of a sold-out crowd of 74,635 in theOrlando Citrus Bowl,now known asCamping World Stadium,forWWE'sWrestleMania XXIV.[citation needed]

In 2009, Legend performed inThe People Speak,a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, based on historianHoward Zinn'sA People's History of the United States.[38]Also in 2009, Legend andthe Rootsteamed up to record a collaborative album,Wake Up!,which was released on September 21, 2010.[39]The first single released from the album was "Wake Up Everybody" featuring singerMelanie Fionaand rapperCommon.[40][41]In November 2010, Legend was featured on West'sMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasyalbum, listed a feature on the song 'Blame Game'. In February 2011, Legend won three prizes at the 53rd Annual Grammy Music Awards. He was awarded Best R&B Song for "Shine", while he and the Roots won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "Hang On in There". In March 2011, Legend and the Roots won twoNAACP Image Awards,one for Outstanding Album (Wake Up!) and one for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration.[citation needed]

2011–2015: Federal lawsuit and 50-date tour

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Legend at the Citi Presents: Evenings with Legends show in 2014

On July 5, 2011, songwriter Anthony Stokes filed acopyright infringementlawsuit against Legend in theUnited States District Court for the District of New Jersey,alleging that Legend's song "Maxine's Interlude" from his 2006 albumOnce Againderives from Stokes' demo "Where Are You Now".[42]Stokes claimed he gave Legend a demo of the song in 2004 following a concert at theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[43]Legend denied the allegations, tellingE!Online, "I never heard of his song until he sued me. I would never steal anyone's song. We will fight it in court and we will prevail."[44]However, nearly 60,000 people took aTMZpoll that compared the two songs and 65% of voters believed that Legend's "Maxine's Interlude" is a rip-off of Stokes' "Where Are You Now".[45]A year later, Legend confirmed that hesettled out of courtwith Stokes for an undisclosed amount.[46]

Also in 2011, Legend completed a 50-date tour as a guest for British soul bandSade.In theSan Diegoperformance, Legend confirmed that he was working on his next studio album and played a new song called "Dreams".[47]Later, via his official website, he revealed the official title of the album to beLove in the Future,and debuted part of a new track called "Caught Up". The album has been executive-produced by Legend himself, along withKanye WestandDave Tozer– the same team who worked on Legend's previous albumsGet Lifted,Once Again,andEvolver.Legend has stated that his intention for the record was "To make a modern soul album – to flip that classic feel into a modern context."[48]

Legend was granted an Honorary Doctorate Degree fromHoward Universityat the 144th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 12, 2012.[49]Legend was a judge on theABCmusic showDuetsalong withKelly Clarkson,Jennifer Nettles,andRobin Thicke.Legend's spot was originally forLionel Richie,who had to leave the show due to a scheduling conflict.Duetsdebuted on Thursday, May 24, 2012.[50]

He released his fourth studio album,Love in the Future,on September 3, 2013, debuting number 4 on theBillboard200,selling 68,000 copies in its first week.[51]The album was nominated forBest R&B albumat the2014 Grammy Awards.[52]Legend's third single from the album, "All of Me",became an international chart success, peaking at number one on theBillboardHot 100 for three consecutive weeks and reaching the top of six national charts and the top ten in numerous other countries, becomingone of the best-selling digital singles of all time.It was ranked the third best-selling song in the United States and the United Kingdom during 2014. The song is a ballad dedicated to his wife, Chrissy Teigen, and was performed at the56th Annual Grammy Awards.

In 2014, Legend partnered with the rapperCommonto write the song "Glory",featured in the filmSelma,which chronicled the 1965Selma to Montgomery marches.The song won theGolden Globe Award for Best Original Songas well as theAcademy Award for Best Original Song.Legend andCommonperformed "Glory" at the87th Academy Awardson February 22, 2015.[citation needed]

Legend was featured onMeghan Trainor's "Like I'm Gonna Lose You"from herdebut studio album,which reached number eight on theBillboardHot 100. On February 1, 2015, he sang "America the Beautiful"in the opening ceremony of Super Bowl XLIX. He provided guest vocals on Kelly Clarkson's song" Run Run Run "for her albumPiece by Piece.He also co-wrote and provided vocals for French DJDavid Guetta's song "Listen", as part of the albumListen.

2016–present: Resurgence

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Legend released his new albumDarkness and Light,with first single "Love Me Now", on December 2, 2016, with songs featuringChance the RapperandMiguel.Legend featured onKygo'ssong "Happy Birthday" for his debut studio album"Cloud Nine"released in 2016.[citation needed]

For the 2017 filmBeauty and the Beast,Legend andAriana Grandeperformed a duet on thetitle track,a remake of the 1991 original version sung byCeline DionandPeabo Bryson.[53]In April 2017,Crow: The Legend,a short animation film, premiered its prologue at theTribeca Film Festival.Legend was cast in the title role as the character Crow. He also served as executive producer for the project and performed the original song "When You Can Fly".[54]The film won at thirteen different film festivals including theLA Film Festivalwhere it made its North American premiere in 2018.[55]The film won Best Animation VR Experience at the2018 Raindance Film Festivaland received nomination for Best Virtual Reality Production at the46th Annual Annie Awards.[citation needed]

On December 19, 2017,NBCannounced that Legend had been cast in the title role in thelive concert productionofJesus Christ Superstarat the Marcy Avenue Armory inWilliamsburg, Brooklyn.[56]The production was broadcast live on NBC television on April 1, 2018 (the date ofEasterSundaythat yearinWestern Christianity).[57]On May 8, 2018,Googlechose Legend as one of the six newGoogle Assistantvoices.[58]

Legend during an interview in 2019

Legend was one of the few celebrities to appear and speak out in theLifetimedocumentarySurviving R. Kelly.[59]The six-partdocuseriesdetails sex abuse allegations spread over four decades against acclaimedR&BsingerR. Kelly.[60]It focuses on women who allege that the musician and record producer used his status and influence to sexually and physically abuse women and young girls for decades.[59]Legend lambasted R. Kelly during his interview in the final episode of the series, asserting that "R. Kelly has brought so much pain to so many people. Time's up for R. Kelly."[61][62]

In spite of numerous public allegations and controversies regarding Kelly, Legend stood as the only major recording artist willing to come forward and speak against him in the documentary.[59][61]In response to fans who labeled him as "brave" for his actions, Legend stated the following onTwitterahead of the program's debut:[62]"To everyone telling me how courageous I am for appearing in the doc, it didn't feel risky at all. I believe these women and don't give a fuck about protecting a serial child rapist. Easy decision."[61]Executive producerDream Hamptonrevealed that it was "incredibly difficult" to get men and women who had artistically collaborated with Kelly to come forward, including those who had criticized him. During an interview withDetroit Free Pressshe said, "We askedLady Gaga.We askedErykah Badu.We askedCéline Dion.We askedJay-Z.We askedDave Chappelle.[They're] people who have been critical of him. That makes John Legend even more of a hero for me. "[60]

On May 21, 2019, Legend was the winning coach onThe Voice,and won the competition with his artistMaelyn Jarmon.[63]In November, Legend was namedPeople'sSexiest Man Alive.[64][65][66]In 2020, Legend was working on a seventh album. On May 13, 2020, he announced the album would be titledBigger Love.It was released on June 19. On May 28, 2020, Legend received an honorary doctorate fromBerklee College of Music.[67]Legend is featured onCarrie Underwood'sChristmas albumMy Gift.Legend wrote his featured track entitledHallelujah.[68]Legend was among the performers in theCelebrating Americatelevision event held onInauguration Day 2021.[69]He delivered the commencement address to theDuke UniversityClass of 2021.[70]On November 12, 2021, Legend signed with Republic Records after completing the contract that lasted for 17 years with Sony Music.

In February 2022, Legend launched the music-basedNFTplatform, OurSong.[71]On April 3, 2022, performed a new song called "Free" at the64th Annual Grammy Awardsas a tribute to the fallen citizens of Ukraine amidRusso-Ukrainian War.[72]He was joined on stage alongside by three Ukrainian female artists Siuzanna Iglidan, Mika Newtown, and poetLyuba Yakimchuk.[73]On September 9, 2022, he released his eighth studio album titledLegend.The following month, Legend becameThe Voice's senior coach in its 24th season after the departure of singerBlake Shelton.[74]

Philanthropy

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Legend performed a benefit concert in Springfield, Ohio in 2005 in support of a tax levy for theSpringfield City School District.[75]

In May 2007, Legend partnered withTidelaundry detergent to raise awareness about the need of families inSt. Bernard Parish(Chalmette, Louisiana), one of the areas most devastated byHurricane Katrina;he spent a day folding laundry at theTide"clean start" mobile laundromat and visited homes that Tide was helping to rebuild in that community. On July 7, 2007, Legend participated in theLive Earth concert in London,performing "Ordinary People".After reading ProfessorJeffrey Sachs' bookThe End of Poverty,Legend started hisShow Me Campaignin 2007. In this campaign, Legend called on his fans to help him in his initiative for residents in Bosaso Village, Somalia[76][failed verification]andnon-profitorganizations partnered with the campaign.

In early 2008, he began touring with Alexus Ruffin and Professor Jeff Sachs ofColumbia University'sEarth Instituteto promotesustainable developmentas an achievable goal. Legend joined Sachs as a keynote speaker and performer at the inaugural Millennium Campus Conference. Legend then joined the Board of Advisors of the Millennium Campus Network (MCN), and has aided MCN programs throughonline supportand funding fellowships for MCN summer interns through the Show Me Campaign. In 2009, Legend gaveAIDS Service Center NYCpermission to remix his song "If You're Out There" to create a music video promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and testing.[77]

On January 22, 2010, he performed "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"on theHope for Haiti Nowtelethonshow.[78]On September 8, 2010, John Legend joined the national board ofTeach For America.[79]Legend also sits on the boards of theEducation Equality Project,theHarlem Village Academies,andStand for Children.He serves on the Harlem Village Academies' National Leadership Board. On September 9, 2010, he performed "Coming Home" on theColbert Reportas a tribute song for the end ofcombat operations in Iraq,and for the active troops and the veterans of theUnited States Armed Forces.[80]In 2011, he contributed the track "Love I've Never Known" to theRed Hot Organization's most recent albumRed Hot+Rio 2.The album is a follow-up to the 1996Red Hot+Rio.Proceeds from the album sales were donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues. On March 6, 2012, John Legend was appointed by theWorld Economic Forumto theForum of Young Global Leaders.[81]Later that year, Legend stopped byChildren's Hospital Los Angelesfor a surprise visit and acoustic performance as a part ofGet Well Soon Tour.[82]On June 1, 2013, Legend performed atGucci's global concert event in London whose campaign, "Chime for Change", aims to raise awareness of women's issues in education, health and justice.[83]At a press conference before his performance, Legend identified himself as a feminist saying, "All men should be feminists. If men care about women's rights the world will be a better place."[84]

In 2014, Legend founded the FREEAMERICA campaign, which aims to help reformincarceration in the United States.[85]He also supported the 2018 ballot initiative to passFlorida Amendment 4,which restored the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions.[86]

In 2016, Legend co-signed a letter to theUnited Nations Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-mooncalling for a more humane drug policy, along with people such asRichard Branson,Jane Fonda,andGeorge Shultz.[87]The following year, Legend appeared on Salem State University's speaker series and was recognized by Voices Against Injustice (formerly known as the Salem Award Foundation for Human Rights and Social Justice) as the inaugural Salem Advocate for Social Justice.[88]Also in 2017 Legend donated $500,000 toSpringfield City School Districtto renovate an auditorium, which is named in his honor, within the Springfield Center of Innovation.[89]He performed at the John Legend Theater on October 9, 2016.[90]In 2018, he starred in an animated virtual-reality short film written and directed byEric Darnell,titledCrow: The Legend,together withOprah Winfrey,telling a Native American origin tale.[91]He also sits on the advisory board & is a financial supporter of FUSE Corps, mitigating racial inequality and breaking down barriers which contribute to racism.

Personal life

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Legend met modelChrissy Teigenin 2006 while filming the music video for his song "Stereo".[92][93]They became engaged in December 2011[94][95]and were married on September 14, 2013, inComo, Italy.[96]His 2013 song "All of Me"is dedicated to her. The couple has four children: a daughter born in April 2016,[97]a son born in May 2018,[98]and a daughter born in January 2023.[99]Their first three children were all conceived viain vitro fertilization.[100][99]On June 28, 2023, Teigen announced on social media that the couple had a fourth child, a son, born via surrogacy on June 19, 2023.[101]

In 2020, the couple was expecting a third child,[102]but Teigen lost the baby at twenty weeks due to a pregnancy complication.[103]The pregnancy loss was described by media as a late miscarriage; in 2022, Teigen clarified that the loss was "an abortion to save my life for a baby that had absolutely no chance."[104][105][106]

On thePBSseriesFinding Your Roots,it was determined that Legend's genetic makeup is 64%African,32%European,and 4%Native American.[107]

In April 2024, Legend said he would campaign forPresident Joe Biden,again.[108]

Discography

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Main article:John Legend discography

Studio albums

Tours

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  • Get Lifted Tour (2005)
  • Once Again Tour (2007)
  • Evolver Tour (2009)
  • Love in the Future World Tour (2014)
  • Darkness and Light World Tour (2017)
  • A Legendary Christmas Tour (2018–19)
  • Bigger Love Tour (2021)
  • An Evening with John Legend (2023)

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2006, 2018 Sesame Street Himself
2007 Curb Your Enthusiasm Himself Episode: "The Bat Mitzvah"
Las Vegas Himself Episode: "Wagers of Sin"
2008 A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All Forest Ranger
2009 The People Speak Himself Documentary
2010 Dancing with the Stars Himself/Performer
2011 Royal Pains Himself "Listen to the Music"
2015 The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Himself/Performer Performed with Meghan Trainor
Hollywood Game Night Himself/Contestant 1 episode
2015–2019 Lip Sync Battle Himself 7 episodes
2016–2017 Underground — Producer
2017 The Nightly Show Himself 1 episode
Master of None Himself Episode: "The Dinner Party"
Carpool Karaoke: The Series Himself Episode: "Alicia Keys& John Legend "
2018 Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert Jesus Christ Also executive producer
A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy Himself
2019–2022, 2023–2024 The Voice Himself/Coach Season 16–22, 24–25
2019 Songland Himself Episode: "John Legend"
Ask the StoryBots The King of Music Episode: "How do you make music?"
Celebrity Family Feud Himself Episode: "John Legend andChrissy Teigenvs. the cast ofVanderpump Rules"
2020 This Is Us Himself Episode: "Light and Shadows"
The Simpsons Himself Voice; Episode: "The Miseducation of Lisa Simpson"
Whose Vote Counts, Explained Himself (Narrator) Episode: "Whose Vote Counts".[109]
2021 That's My Jam Himself/Guest Along withKelly Clarkson,Ariana Grande,Blake Shelton

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 Sesame Street: Elmo Loves You! Himself
Soul Men Marcus Hooks
2012 The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America Duke Ellington Voice role
2016 Southside with You — Producer
La La Land Keith Also co-wrote/performed "Start a Fire" forfilm's soundtrack
2017 Crow: The Legend Crow Voice role, Also executive producer[110]
2019 Between Two Ferns: The Movie Himself
2020 A Crime on the Bayou — Executive producer[111]
2020 Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey[112] — Producer
2021 The Mitchells vs. the Machines Jim Posey Voice role

Awards and nominations

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

See also

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References

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  1. ^"John Legend on His Political Activism, Endorsing Warren and Admiring Taylor Swift".March 3, 2020.
  2. ^"Songwriters Hall of Fame".Induction for John Legend.Artisan News. June 22, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2021.RetrievedJune 26,2009.
  3. ^"The Complete List of Winners from the 47th NAACP Image Awards".EURweb.February 6, 2016.RetrievedMay 19,2022.
  4. ^Platon, Adelle (June 11, 2017)."John Legend Wins Tony Award for 'Jitney,' is One Emmy Away from EGOT Status".Billboard.RetrievedJune 12,2017.
  5. ^Wanshel, Elyse (September 10, 2018)."John Legend Becomes First Black Man To Reach EGOT Status".Huffington Post.RetrievedSeptember 11,2018.
  6. ^Scheibelhut, Ashley (September 11, 2018)."John Legend Is First Black Man To Achieve EGOT Status".Chill Magazine.RetrievedOctober 9,2018.
  7. ^Southern, Nathan."John Legend – Biography".Allmovie.RetrievedApril 30,2020.
  8. ^Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. (March 24, 2012)."John Legend and Wanda Sykes".Finding Your Roots.Episode 9. Event occurs at 10:45. PBS.RetrievedJune 23,2013.
  9. ^"Soul savior?".The Washington Times.April 14, 2005.RetrievedJune 27,2009.
  10. ^Simpson, Dave (August 22, 2005)."Legend in his own lunchtime".The Guardian.London.RetrievedDecember 5,2008.
  11. ^"John Legend Fans On Iseecolor".Mingle City. Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2014.RetrievedMay 22,2014.
  12. ^Gates, H.L.; Altshuler, D. (2014).Finding Your Roots: The Official Companion to the PBS Series.University of North Carolina Press.ISBN9781469618012.RetrievedNovember 20,2016.
  13. ^abcd"Singer/songwriter John Legend got early start".USA Today.July 28, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on August 2, 2019.RetrievedJune 27,2009.
  14. ^abHall, Rashaun (October 18, 2004)."Kanye's Hook Singer, John Legend, Ready For The Spotlight".MTV News.Archived fromthe originalon November 11, 2004.RetrievedJuly 22,2009.
  15. ^abWatson, Margeaux (November 3, 2006)."Spotlight: John Legend".Entertainment Weekly.Time.Archivedfrom the original on September 16, 2018.RetrievedJuly 22,2009.
  16. ^"Jonathan Ross Show, Series 20 Episode 7 itvx".itv.RetrievedApril 9,2023.
  17. ^"Which celebrities will be on The Jonathan Ross Show tonight?".Times Series.April 8, 2023.RetrievedApril 9,2023.
  18. ^Statements made on "Music Live Series with John Legend". May 22, 2020.
  19. ^The Real Legend Behind John + Chrissy,August 28, 2020,archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2021,retrievedApril 2,2021
  20. ^"Rarb Review".RARB.RetrievedMay 13,2008.
  21. ^abcNewsome, Melba (October 22, 2006)."Music; What Becomes John Legend Most?".The New York TimesCompany.pp. 1–2.RetrievedJuly 21,2009.
  22. ^du Lac, J. Freedom (February 9, 2006)."The Best New Artist Is Already a Legend".The Washington Post.RetrievedFebruary 9,2006.
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