John Legend Celebrates a Milestone: 20 Years of Get Lifted as He Reflects on His Musical Journey. Recently, he made a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he took a nostalgic look back at his remarkable career in the music industry.

John Legend Reflects on His Early Days in Music with Lauryn Hill. During the insightful interview, Legend shared a touching memory of one of his formative experiences in the music industry: meeting the iconic Lauryn Hill. He recounted the moment he received his very first recording credit on her critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which is considered a landmark in music history.

Journey Back to the University of Pennsylvania: “The first time I met Lauryn Hill, I was a student at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia,” Legend reminisced. He elaborated on how he would drive a couple of hours every weekend to perform at a church in Scranton. “One of my choir members, Tara Michel, had attended high school with Lauryn, and that connection changed my life,” he added, illustrating how important networking can be in the music business.

A Chance Invitation to Meet a Music Legend: Legend recalled the excitement surrounding Lauryn Hill’s solo career after the The Score album had achieved monumental success for the Fugees with hits like ‘Killing Me Softly.’ “Everyone was eagerly anticipating when Lauryn would step out as a solo artist. Tara encouraged me to join her on a trip to Jersey to meet Lauryn while she was working on her solo album.” Legend vividly described how he picked up the piano to showcase his talents, marking a pivotal moment that would shape his career.

Turning an Audition into Opportunity: “It felt like a mini audition,” Legend reflected, recalling his nerves during the session. “I performed a bit of Stevie Wonder and even sang an original piece. Lauryn seemed impressed and invited me to play piano on a song she was working on, which turned out to be ‘Everything Is Everything’ from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” This opportunity not only showcased his skills but also marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his career.

Significance of a First Recording Credit: Legend emphasized the importance of that moment, stating, “That was my first credit on any album, and it was on one of the greatest albums of all time.” He noted how this early achievement laid the groundwork for his future successes in the music industry, highlighting how critical early opportunities can shape an artist’s trajectory.

From John R. Stephens to John Legend: At that time, Legend was still using his birth name, John R. Stephens. “I was unsure if my contributions would even make the final cut of the album,” he recounted. He humorously remembered when he received a call from Columbia Records’ A&R team, asking for the correct spelling of his name for the album credits, which was a significant moment for him.

Reflecting on a Stage Name Transformation: Legend chuckled as he recalled, “I said John R. Stephens, S-T-E-P-H-E-N-S. Looking back, I realize that wasn’t the best stage name for album credits.” He acknowledged that adopting the name John Legend later on was a much better choice, and he fondly remembered being credited on Track 13 of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a moment that forever changed his life.

Looking Ahead: Celebrating 20 Years with a World Tour: In addition to reflecting on his past, Legend excitedly announced his upcoming Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour, which is set to commence on May 27 in Glasgow, U.K. This highly anticipated tour promises to celebrate his illustrious career while connecting with fans around the globe.

Touring Across Multiple Cities and Continents: The world tour will visit over 40 cities across the U.K., Europe, and North America, with notable stops at iconic venues such as The O2 in London, Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Accor Arena in Paris, Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and Barclays Center in New York. This extensive tour will conclude on December 9 in Oakland, California, truly marking a grand celebration of his career.

Deluxe Edition of Get Lifted: A Special Commemoration: To honor the 20th anniversary, Legend also announced a deluxe edition of Get Lifted, featuring remixes and never-before-released tracks from that era. Initially released in 2004, the album included timeless hits like “Ordinary People,” “Used to Love U,” and “So High,” which played a crucial role in solidifying Legend’s status as a leading figure in the realms of R&B and soul music.