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John Legend music biography continued...

1978, Legend got his start as a youngster in his church choir. His family stressed education, and Legend attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied English with an emphasis on African American literature. While at Penn, he helmed Counterparts, a coed 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, landing the song on the track list of the 1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella compilation CD. After college, Legend got a job as a business consultant and played the New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. club circuit at night, selling self-released albums called John Stevens and Live at SOB's. Legend was introduced to Kanye West by his Penn roommate—a cousin of the up-and-coming hip hop artist. Since that meeting, Legend and West have worked closely, with West signing Legend as the first artist to his new label, GOOD Music. Prior to the release of his debut album, Legend's career gained traction through a series of successful collaborations with several established artists. Notably, Legend sang the hooks for hits by Slum Village ("Selfish", also featuring Kanye West), Jay-Z ("Encore"), and Dilated Peoples ("This Way", also featuring Kanye West); played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything"; and sang background vocals on Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name" and Fort Minor's "High Road." By the time he was ready to record his own album, Legend was already an industry veteran.



Legend's debut, Get Lifted, was released in 2004 and featured collaborations with rapper and producer Kanye West as well as Snoop Dogg. Get Lifted produced two singles: "Used to Love U" (US top 100, UK top 30) and "Ordinary People" (US and UK top 30) and garnered Legend five Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Artist and Best New Artist. He followed with Once Again (2006) and Evolver (2008), which contained the hit single, "Green Light." Legend now performs for many charities and causes, giving the gift of his music to those most in need of it.