Legend was born in Columbus, Ohio. His musical interest started at the age of 3 when his grandmother began teaching him to play gospel piano. By the time he was 7 years old, Legend was singing with the church choir and taking lessons in classical music. Legend attended Springfield North High School, graduating as Salutatorian at 16. He was also prom king and president of the student council[citation needed].

Legend attended the University of Pennsylvania (graduating in 1999), where he studied English with an emphasis on African American literature and culture. While at Penn, he helmed Counterparts, a coed jazz and pop a cappella group as President (1997–1998) and Musical Director (1998–1999). Legend's lead vocals on the group's recording of Prince's "One of Us" propelled the song to critical acclaim, landing the song on the track list of the 1998 Best of Collegiate a Cappella compilation CD.

Oddly, his first job after graduating from Penn was not in the music busin