Legend co-wrote and co-produced the bulk of the album, which saw him reteaming with West and will.but also spawned production from Raphael Saadiq, Craig Street, Sa-Ra, Eric Hudson, Devo Springsteen, Dave Tozer and Avenue.Released to major commercial success, it reached number three on the Billboard 200 and debuted on top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.In 2007, Legend received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.At the age of four, he performed with his church choir. At the age of 12, Legend attended Springfield North High School, from which he graduated salutatorian of his class four years later.Legend also tentatively worked with Michael Jackson on a future album for which he had written one song.In October 2006, Legend's second album, Once Again, was released.He appeared on albums by Fort Minor, Sérgio Mendes, Jay Z, Mary J.

While in college, Legend was introduced to Lauryn Hill by a friend.While in college, Legend served as president and musical director of a co-ed jazz and pop a cappella group called Counterparts.His lead vocals on the group's recording of Joan Osborne's "One of Us" (written by Eric Bazilian of The Hooters) received critical acclaim, landing the song on the track list of the 1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella compilation CD.Legend won a second Grammy that year for "Family Affair," a collaboration with Sly & The Family Stone, Joss Stone and Van Hunt, for the former's Different Strokes by Different Folks album.The same year, Legend had a supporting, singing-only role in the 2008 movie Soul Men, where he plays the deceased lead singer of a fictitious soul group that includes Samuel L. In October, he released his third studio album, Evolver.