John Legend Performs in Bryant Park
Legend's come a long way from his grandma's living room.
Aug. 2, 2007 — -- While most 4-year-olds occupy themselves with crayons and sandboxes, little John Legend was busy beginning his musical career, playing gospel piano with his grandma.
But he's never been one for timelines.
He began at an Ivy League university by age 16, won his first Grammy by 27, and even started a worldwide charity, the Show Me Campaign, by 28.
Legend's virtually a musical prodigy, a singer-songwriter who got his start through a connection to Kanye West: West's cousin was Legend's roommate at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, Legend has taken the music business by storm, collaborating with everyone from Lauryn Hill to Kanye himself.
Since meeting Kanye, Legend has recorded and released two platinum-selling albums, "Get Lifted" in 2004 and "Once Again" in 2006, and he's taken home five Grammys.
But his contribution to the music world isn't the only thing about him that has been stirring up headlines lately. He's a man with a conscience, and he's on a mission.
After reading "The End of Poverty" by Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs, Legend traveled to Ghana to learn more about extreme poverty. He returned determined to make a difference and address the problem head-on.
And address it he did.
"With deep questions fueled by a deep concern for truth and for action, John wanted to know how the problems of African poverty could be addressed," Sachs said. "I was lucky to see from the start how John's overflowing talent and a great spirit would launch a great effort for justice."
The Show Me Campaign is a fundraising effort aimed at ending poverty around the world, and providing things like water and medical care for those who can't afford them.
This summer, he's even calling his tour the Show Me Tour in an attempt to raise awareness and call attention to his new efforts.
