When he was still a teenager, piano prodigy John Legend got his big break—though no one could have guessed how big it would become.

Emerging songstress Lauryn Hill of Fugees fame asked Legend to play piano on a little song called “Everything Is Everything.” The song turned up on Hill’s debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which reached stratospheric heights of success. Legend’s guest spot landed him work with Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys and producer-turned-rapper-turned-mentor Kanye West.

West eventually signed Legend to a record deal in 2004, and his debut album, Get Lifted, netted him a Best New Artist Grammy. The CD’s lead single, “Ordinary People,” is a soaring soul song that epitomizes Legend’s old-school influences and marks his own unique sound.

Once Again was released in 2006 to critical acclaim. Legend’s latest album, Evolver, debuted last October, garnering two Grammy nominations and ascending the charts with the up-tempo “Green Light,” featuring OutKast’s Andre 3000. With each new record, pop culture’s neo-soul star ensures that this Legend is sure to endure.

John Legend performs with Estelle at the Palms January 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49, $59 and $79.

By Caitlin McGarry