Legend received acceptances from both Harvard and Georgetown for undergrad, but ultimately chose to attend the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. He received an honorary doctorate degree in music from his alma mater in 2014, in addition to an honorary degree from Duke University in 2021.

John Legend (born December 28, 1978, Springfield, Ohio, U.S.) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist who achieved success in the early 21st century with his fusion of R&B and soul music. He also was a sought-after session musician.

After signing to West's label, he chose his stage name from an idea that was given to him by poet J. Ivy, due to what he perceived as an "old-school sound". J. Ivy stated, "I heard your music and it reminds me of that music from the old school. You sound like one of the legends.