Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Legend

How John Legend built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

John Legend, born John Roger Stephens, is an accomplished American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He initially gained recognition working behind the scenes for established artists like Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. He signed with Kanye West's GOOD Music, launching his solo career with the debut album, Get Lifted (2004). This album achieved commercial success, reaching the Billboard 200 top ten, earning double platinum certification, and featuring his breakthrough hit, "Ordinary People."

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches

In 1965, the Selma to Montgomery marches took place, which would later be chronicled in the film Selma, for which John Legend co-wrote the song "Glory".

1998: Featured on 'Best of Collegiate a Cappella'

In 1998, John Legend's lead vocals on the Counterparts' recording of "One of Us" was featured on the 1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella compilation CD.

2000: Release of Self-Titled Demo Album

In 2000, John Legend released his self-titled demo album independently.

2001: Release of Live at Jimmy's Uptown

In 2001, John Legend released his album Live at Jimmy's Uptown, which he sold at his shows.

2001: Introduction to Kanye West and Stage Name Origin

In 2001, John Legend was introduced to Kanye West. He was given the name John Legend by poet J. Ivy and adopted it as his stage name.

December 2004: Release of 'Get Lifted'

In December 2004, John Legend released his debut studio album, Get Lifted, which debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200.

2004: Release of Debut Album 'Get Lifted'

In 2004, John Legend released his debut studio album, Get Lifted, through GOOD Music. It reached the top ten of the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA and spawned his first hit song, "Ordinary People".

2005: Different Strokes by Different Folks

In 2005, John Legend collaborated with Sly & the Family Stone, Joss Stone and Van Hunt for his cover of "Family Affair", from the former's remix album, Different Strokes by Different Folks.

2005: Springfield Benefit Concert

In 2005, John Legend performed a benefit concert in Springfield, Ohio, to support a tax levy for the Springfield City School District.

October 2006: Release of 'Once Again' album

In October 2006, John Legend's second album, Once Again, was released and reached number three on the Billboard 200.

2006: Release of Once Again Album

In 2006, John Legend released his album, Once Again, which would later become the center of a copyright lawsuit.

2006: Continued success with 'Once Again'

In 2006, John Legend's second album, Once Again, was met with continued success, supported by the lead single "Save Room".

May 2007: Partnership with Tide

In May 2007, John Legend partnered with Tide to raise awareness for families in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, affected by Hurricane Katrina.

July 7, 2007: Live Earth Concert Performance

On July 7, 2007, John Legend participated in the Live Earth concert in London, performing "Ordinary People".

2008: Release of 'Evolver' and live album

In 2008, John Legend released his third album, Evolver, which diversified his artistry. That same year, Legend also released the live album John Legend: Live from Philadelphia.

2008: Touring with Alexus Ruffin and Professor Jeff Sachs

In early 2008, John Legend began touring with Alexus Ruffin and Professor Jeff Sachs to promote sustainable development.

2009: "If You're Out There" Remix for AIDS Awareness

In 2009, John Legend permitted AIDS Service Center NYC to remix his song "If You're Out There" for a music video promoting HIV/AIDS awareness.

January 22, 2010: Hope for Haiti Now Telethon Performance

On January 22, 2010, John Legend performed "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" on the Hope for Haiti Now telethon show.

September 8, 2010: Joins Teach For America Board

On September 8, 2010, John Legend joined the national board of Teach For America.

September 9, 2010: "Coming Home" Performance on Colbert Report

On September 9, 2010, John Legend performed "Coming Home" on the Colbert Report as a tribute to the end of combat operations in Iraq.

September 21, 2010: Release of Wake Up! with The Roots

On September 21, 2010, John Legend and The Roots released their collaborative album, Wake Up! The first single was "Wake Up Everybody."

November 2010: Featured on Kanye West's Album

In November 2010, John Legend was featured on Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, on the song 'Blame Game'.

2010: Release of 'Wake Up!' with The Roots

In 2010, John Legend released the collaborative album, Wake Up!, with Philadelphia-based hip hop band the Roots.

2011: Contribution to Red Hot+Rio 2

In 2011, John Legend contributed the track "Love I've Never Known" to the Red Hot Organization's album Red Hot+Rio 2.

2011: Touring with Sade and Working on New Album

In 2011, John Legend toured with Sade and confirmed he was working on his next studio album, which would be titled Love in the Future.

May 24, 2012: Debut as a Judge on Duets

On May 24, 2012, John Legend debuted as a judge on the ABC music show Duets.

June 1, 2013: Performs at Gucci's Chime for Change Concert

On June 1, 2013, John Legend performed at Gucci's global concert event in London for the "Chime for Change" campaign, which aims to raise awareness of women's issues.

September 3, 2013: Love in the Future Album Release

On September 3, 2013, John Legend released his fourth studio album, Love in the Future, which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200.

2013: Release of 'Love in the Future'

In 2013, John Legend's fourth studio album, Love in the Future, was preceded by the hit single "All of Me."

2014: Partnership with Common on "Glory"

In 2014, John Legend collaborated with Common to create the song "Glory" for the film Selma, chronicling the Selma to Montgomery marches.

2014: Founding of FREEAMERICA Campaign

In 2014, John Legend founded the FREEAMERICA campaign, which aims to help reform incarceration in the United States.

2014: Grammy Nomination and Chart Success

In 2014, John Legend's album "Love in the Future" was nominated for Best R&B Album at the Grammy Awards, and his single "All of Me" became an international chart-topper.

February 1, 2015: Super Bowl XLIX Performance

On February 1, 2015, John Legend sang "America the Beautiful" at the opening ceremony of Super Bowl XLIX.

February 22, 2015: Performance at the 87th Academy Awards

On February 22, 2015, John Legend and Common performed "Glory" at the 87th Academy Awards.

2015: Collaboration with Meghan Trainor

In 2015, John Legend co-performed with Meghan Trainor on her single "Like I'm Gonna Lose You", which peaked at number seven on the chart.

October 9, 2016: Performs at the John Legend Theater

On October 9, 2016, John Legend performed at the John Legend Theater.

December 2, 2016: Darkness and Light Album Release

On December 2, 2016, John Legend released his new album Darkness and Light, featuring the single "Love Me Now".

2016: Release of 'Darkness and Light' and departure from GOOD Music

In 2016, John Legend released his fifth album Darkness and Light and departed from GOOD Music.

April 2017: Crow: The Legend Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

In April 2017, the short animation film Crow: The Legend, in which John Legend voiced the title character and served as executive producer, premiered its prologue at the Tribeca Film Festival.

December 19, 2017: Cast in Jesus Christ Superstar

On December 19, 2017, it was announced that John Legend would star in the title role of Jesus Christ Superstar.

2017: Named Salem Advocate for Social Justice and Donation to Springfield City School District

In 2017, John Legend was recognized as the inaugural Salem Advocate for Social Justice and donated $500,000 to Springfield City School District.

April 1, 2018: Jesus Christ Superstar Live Broadcast

On April 1, 2018, the live concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar, starring John Legend, was broadcast on NBC television.

May 8, 2018: Google Assistant Voice

On May 8, 2018, John Legend was chosen as one of the new voices for Google Assistant.

2018: Release of 'A Legendary Christmas'

In 2018, John Legend released A Legendary Christmas.

2018: Stars in Animated VR Short Film

In 2018, John Legend starred in an animated virtual-reality short film titled Crow: The Legend.

2018: Support for Florida Amendment 4

In 2018, John Legend supported the ballot initiative to pass Florida Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to Floridians with felony convictions.

2018: Crow: The Legend Wins at LA Film Festival

In 2018, John Legend's film Crow: The Legend made its North American premiere at the LA Film Festival and went on to win Best Animation VR Experience at the Raindance Film Festival.

May 21, 2019: Winning Coach on The Voice

On May 21, 2019, John Legend won The Voice as a coach with his artist Maelyn Jarmon.

2019: Vocal Coach on The Voice

Since 2019, John Legend has served as a vocal coach for The Voice.

May 13, 2020: Announcement of Bigger Love Album

On May 13, 2020, John Legend announced that his seventh album would be titled Bigger Love.

June 19, 2020: Release of Bigger Love and Verzuz Performance

On June 19, 2020, John Legend's album Bigger Love was released, and he performed alongside Alicia Keys for Verzuz.

2020: Release of 'Bigger Love' and Grammy Win

In 2020, John Legend released Bigger Love, which won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

November 12, 2021: Signs with Republic Records

On November 12, 2021, John Legend signed with Republic Records after completing his contract with Sony Music.

February 2022: Launch of OurSong Music Platform

In February 2022, John Legend launched the music-based NFT platform, OurSong.

April 3, 2022: Grammy Performance "Free" for Ukraine

On April 3, 2022, John Legend performed a new song called "Free" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards as a tribute to the fallen citizens of Ukraine amid the Russo-Ukrainian War.