John Legend, who began singing in church choirs at age 4 and playing piano by age 7, launched his music career in the early 2000s as a session pianist and backing vocalist.

He signed with Kanye West's GOOD Music and released his debut album, Get Lifted (2004), which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and earned double‑platinum certification. It featured hits like “Ordinary People” (which peaked at No. 24 on the Hot 100) and won him three Grammys—including Best R&B Album and Best New Artist.