John Legend
John Legend
A prodigious musical performer often tagged as neo-soul, John Legend (born John Stephens in Springfield, OH) began learning piano and singing gospel tunes at age five. Upon finishing high school early (at age 16), Legend enrolled at a Philadelphia-area university and caught his first taste of commercial success given his prominent appearance as a pianist on the 1998 Lauryn Hill tune "Everything Is Everything". After college, Legend moved to New York and struck gold in the Manhattan-area music scene, with session appearances on albums by artists including Kanye West (who gave Legend his stage name), Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson; Legend's debut solo album, Get Lifted, emerged in late 2004 and made him an instant sensation. The immediate follow-ups -- 2006's Once Again and 2008's Evolver -- received equal acclaim. The majority of Legend's early on-camera appearances were, unsurprisingly, tied to his music. These included the concert films John Legend: Live at the House of Blues (2005), Tony Bennett: An American Classic (2006), and John Legend: Live from Philadelphia (2008). With the 2008 comedy Soul Men, however, Legend branched out into acting roles; he was cast opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac as musician Marcus Hooks. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Filmography of John Legend:
- Dave Chappelle's Block Party with Dave Chappelle , Kanye West , Mos Def , Talib Kweli , Common , Dead Prez , Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jill Scott , Roots , Mark Chesnutt , Keyshia Cole , Chairman Fred , Fred Jr. Hampton , Big Daddy Kane , Martin Luther , Pharoahe Monch , Bilal , Kool G Rap , Andre 4000 , Eugenia "China" Black , Keisha Williams , R.C. Williams , Braylon Lacy , Raphael Iglehart , Eric Greene , Burton Smith , DJ Dummy , Stick Man , M1 , Miamouna Youssef , Lauryn Hill , Wyclef Jean , Prakazrel "Pras" Michel , Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis , Donald Guillame , Leon Higgins , Greg "DJ Chaps" Dendy , Tiffany Phinazee , Carla Duren , Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter , Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson , Leonard Nelson Hubbard , James Gray , Kirk Douglas , Frank Walker , Peter Kuzma , Dave Manly , Valvin Roane , Caroline Lee Johnson , Leonard Harris , Dexter Mills , DJ A Trak , Adam Blackstone , Omar Edwards , Kevin Hanson , Norman Jeff Bradshaw , Matt Cappy , Chris Farr , James Poyser , Don Moore , Rudolph Walker , Isaac Ben Ayala , Craig Bailey , Tyren De'Armond , Jonathan Evans , Nicole Marie Evans , Alice Goguen , Robin Grundy , Mary Hall , Lisa Harbison , Anthony II Jackson , Leann Javins , Jeffrey A. Johnson , Jamon Lewis , Jonathan L. Lofton , Montez Morton , Craig Peterson , Bobby Robbins , David C. Roberts , Elinor Rossi , Jeffrey Tollette , Doris Totty , Jamila C. Totty , Aaron Wallingford , D.J. Wallingford , Alphonso Washington , Brian Milsapp , Central State University Marching Band , Brooklyn Steppers , Luz Grice , Darren "Mr T." Hymes , Lil' Cease , Andrea Smith , Arthur Wood , Cynthia Wood , Cody Chestnutt , Tiffany Limos , Freeway
- Who?Mag with Jam Master Jay , Omarion
John Legend Trivia
