JOHN

LEGEND
Semester Project
By Shane Street

Biography

John Roger Stephens was born December

28, 1978 in Springfield, OH. He is an
American singer, song writer,
philanthropist, musician, and actor.
John was considered a child prodigy
learning piano and singing from his
grandmother playing fluently at the age of
7.
Sang in church choir for most of his
childhood, carries into early adult works.

College Years
He attended the University of
Pennsylvania, where he led an
acapella group called The
Counterparts.
His lead vocals on the group's
recording of Joan Osborne's "One of
Us" received much accolades
awarding the track on the list of the
1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella
Compilation CD

Acapella Group The Counterparts

40

 Hired to play piano on

Everything is Everything on
the album The Miseducation of
Lauren Hill, which went on to
be a Top 40s hit for the Fugees
member.
This was Johns first big career
success, establishing a name
for himself in the industry.

Interview with CBS

1999 - Early 2004

Began holding solo shows during his
time in college.
Developed an audience throughout New
York, Washington, Boston and Atlanta.
Graduated in 1999 and began devoting
serious time to recording, writing, and
producing his own music.
Released two independent albums in
2002 and 2004

Somewhere In the Middle

Prior to Stephenss solo album debut, he achieved a notable amount
of notoriety through collaborations.
In 2001, John Stephens was introduced to Kanye West by friend and
producer Devo Springsteen. John was hired to sing the hooks for
Wests music.
This provided the connection for Johns later signing to GOOD Music,
founded by West.
About this time he hesitantly inherits the stage name John Legend.

Get Lifted (2004)

Legend released his debut
album.
First label album of GOOD Music
in December 2004.
Featured production by Kanye
West, Dave Tozer, and will.i.am,
and debuted at number 7 on the
US Billboard 200
Sells 116,000 copies in its first
week, worldwide sales of
850,000 copies
Old-school soul/Neo-pop/Hip-

So High Performed at London's Royal Albert Hall

30

2006

Listening Guide
So High (Get
Lifted) Album Version
2:25 Hard Accents on piano

2:36 Background vocals repeat

0:01 Piano unaccompanied

2:47 Accompaniment by Guitar

0:15 Cymbals accent enters

briefly

2:57: - Brief guitar solo over drum loop

0:19 Accompanist begins

singing verse 1
0:53 Drum loop enters
establishing timing
0:58 Chorus
1:27 - Digitized background
vocals
1:41 Verse 2
2:08 Chorus repeats

3:19: - Rendition of Chorus

4:17 Drum loop begins to fade
4:40 Light cymbals replace drum beat for
timing
5:00: - Cymbals stop, piano fades
5:02 As instrumentation fades, brief
moment of acapella
5:03 Guitar picking draws close

Success after Release

After the immediate success of the debut, Legend becomes a highly
sought after collaborator.
Appeared on albums by Fort Minor, Srgio Mendes, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige,
The Black Eyed Peas, Stephen Colbert, Rich Boy, MSTRKRFT, Chemistry,
and Fergie, among others.
Legend also tentatively worked with Michael Jackson on a future album.
John Legend also co-wrote Janet Jackson's "I Want You", which was
certified platinum and received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal
Performance at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. (Wiki)

Once Again
(2006)

The second studio album issued by GOOD Music and

Sony Music Entertainment on October 24, 2006.
Legend co-wrote and co-produced the bulk of the
album, working again with artists like Kanye Wests,
and will.i.am.
Certified platinum by the RIAA after shipping over 1
million copies.

25

Tonight (Best Youve Ever Had)

Live At the Kennedy Center

Glory from Selma

The New York Times The
Metropolitan

Accolades
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song
2015
Grammy Award for Best New Artist
2006
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
2011
Grammy Award for Best R&B Album
2011, 2006
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a
Duet
2009, 2007
Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal
Performance
2007, 2006
Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B
Performance
2011

BET Award for Best New Artist

2005
BET Humanitarian Award
2010
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or
Group
2011
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song
2014
Soul Train Music Award for Sammy Davis, Jr.
Ent
2006
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album
2011
Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul
Single,
2007, 2006