John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, was born on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio. He began playing piano under his grandmother's guidance and sang in church choirs before attending the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he worked as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group while releasing independent albums and collaborating with artists including Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys. Legend's debut album Get Lifted (2004), produced with Kanye West, reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and earned three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Subsequent releases include Once Again (2006), Evolver (2008), Wake-Up! with the Roots (2010), Love in the Future (2013) with the hit 'All of Me,' Darkness and Light (2016), and Bigger Love (2020). He has won 12 Grammy Awards, an Oscar and Golden Globe for 'Glory' (2015), a Tony, and an Emmy, achieving EGOT status. Legend is known for live performances blending soulful piano playing, R&B vocals, and collaborations, including the role of Jesus in NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar (2018).