John Legend to Fund Off-Campus Housing for 50 College Students
The Grammy winner, who recalled his own student struggles, is partnering with Bilt to assist students at four universities.
Grammy-winning artist John Legend is providing financial assistance for off-campus housing for 50 college students, aiming to prevent evictions. The initiative, a partnership with the platform Bilt, will cover one month's rent for students at the University of Pennsylvania, Morehouse College, Central State University, and Wilberforce University.
Legend, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 with a degree in English, recalled his own experiences as a student facing financial challenges. "I was paying my own rent. You know, I had a work-study job," Legend said, detailing how he would drive a couple of hours outside of Philadelphia on weekends for a church job to cover his living expenses.
"I would drive up every weekend. So, I was hustling. And I was doing it so I could pay my rent. And so, I know what it feels like to be in that position," he shared. Legend stated that the students receiving assistance through this program are at risk of eviction.
During his time at the University of Pennsylvania, Legend's off-campus living situation led him to a church gig that eventually introduced him to singer Lauryn Hill. He played piano on her song "Everything Is Everything," a pivotal moment that marked his entry into the professional music industry. His debut album, "Get Lifted," released in 2004, was influenced by his college experiences.
Legend is also preparing for the release of his 12th studio album, "Muse," scheduled for October 23. The album was produced by Pharrell Williams, marking their first collaboration. "Muse" is described as a diverse body of work drawing from various genres of Black music, including gospel, soul, Afrobeat, and hip-hop, with inspirations from artists like Nat King Cole and Nina Simone.
"I think my repertoire has always been very diverse, but the piano-driven ballads have gotten the most traction throughout my career," Legend said in a press release. "I wanted to shake up the formula and do something fresh and new."
Legend has recently released music videos for the singles "Daylight" and "Fireflies" from the upcoming album. He described the music on "Muse" as "transporting" and "cinematic."