John Legend

As if R&B soul crooner John Legend weren’t already living the dream after three chart-topping albums (2004’s Get Lifted, 2006’s Once Again, and 2008’s Evolver), add to his pile of accolades a spot on People’s “Sexiest Men Alive 2009” list. Legend likely landed there not just for his good looks; his piano-heavy, love-soaked R&B ballads are inherently stirring and occasionally pretty steamy, especially his passionate ode to nutmeg on Stephen Colbert’s Christmas special in 2008. But smartly, Legend doesn’t rely on sex appeal: His new collaborative release with incendiary hip-hop group The Roots, Wake Up!, tackles political strife through a collection of classic soul covers, led by Harold Melvin’s timeless plea “Wake Up Everybody.”

Updated 09/16/2010