John Legend is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and actor. He was born on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio, and grew up in a musical family. Legend began playing the piano at a young age and was performing in church choirs by the time he was a teenager. Legend's music career began in the late 1990s when he worked as a session musician and songwriter for various artists. He gained recognition for his work as a collaborator with artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. Legend released his debut album, "Get Lifted," in 2004, which featured the hit singles "Used to Love U" and "Ordinary People." Since then, Legend has released several more albums, including "Once Again," "Evolver," and "Love in the Future." He has won numerous awards for his music, including ten Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award. In addition to his music career, Legend has also worked as an actor and producer. He has appeared in several films, including "La La Land" and "Soul Men," and has produced the television series "Underground" and "Surviving R. Kelly."