Alicia Keys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alicia Keys
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Keys in 2025
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Alicia Augello Cook
January 25, 1981 New York City, U.S.
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| Other names | Lellow |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
| Organization | Keep a Child Alive |
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| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Full list |
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Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer and songwriter. She is also a talented pianist who started writing songs at age 12. Alicia Keys signed her first record deal at 15.
Her first album, Songs in A Minor (2001), was a huge success. It sold over 12 million copies worldwide. This album won five awards at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. It included her famous song "Fallin'", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), also did very well. It sold eight million copies and earned her four more Grammy Awards.
In 2004, her duet with Usher, "My Boo", became her second number-one hit in the US. Her live album, Unplugged (2005), made her the first female artist to have an MTV Unplugged project debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Her third album, As I Am (2007), sold seven million copies worldwide. It featured her third number-one song, "No One".
Alicia Keys also started acting in 2007 in the film Smokin' Aces. The next year, she sang the theme song "Another Way to Die" for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace with Jack White. Her fourth album, The Element of Freedom (2009), topped the UK Albums Chart. It sold four million copies around the world.
In 2009, she was featured on Jay-Z's hit song "Empire State of Mind", which became her fourth number-one song in the US. Her fifth album, Girl on Fire (2012), was another chart-topper. Her sixth album, Here (2016), reached number two. Her albums Alicia (2020) and Keys (2021) continued her success. In 2022, she released Santa Baby, a holiday album. In 2023, she wrote and co-produced her first Broadway musical, Hell's Kitchen, which won two Tony Awards.
Alicia Keys has sold over 90 million records globally. This makes her one of the world's top-selling music artists. Billboard magazine named her the Top Artist of the 2000s in the R&B/Hip-Hop category. She has won many awards, including 17 Grammy Awards. She is also known for her charity work. In 2003, she helped start Keep a Child Alive, an organization that fights HIV/AIDS. She is a Global Ambassador for this group.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Alicia Augello Cook was born on January 25, 1981, in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Her mother, Teresa Augello, was a paralegal and actress. Her father, Craig Cook, was a flight attendant. Alicia's father left when she was two years old. Her mother raised her in Hell's Kitchen. Alicia's mother worked hard, often at three jobs, to support them.
Growing up in Hell's Kitchen, Alicia saw many different people and situations. She learned to be strong and independent from her mother. She also learned to be careful and protect herself. These experiences helped her later in the music industry.
Alicia loved music from a young age. Her mother played jazz music, which inspired her. When she was in preschool, she sang in school plays. At age six, she found her passion for the piano. She loved the sound and feel of it. When she was ten, a friend gave her family an old piano. This helped her practice and learn music.
Alicia started classical piano lessons at age seven. She practiced for many hours each day. She learned from composers like Beethoven and Mozart. She was especially drawn to emotional and passionate music. At 12, she wrote her first song about her grandfather. Music helped her express her feelings.
Her mother encouraged her to try many activities, like music, dance, and gymnastics. These activities kept her focused and out of trouble. Alicia continued studying classical music until she was 18. She believes her classical training helped her become a disciplined musician and songwriter. It taught her how to focus and work hard.
At 12, Alicia went to the Professional Performing Arts School. She took music, dance, and theater classes. She also sang in the choir. In her early teens, she formed her first music group. She continued singing and writing songs throughout junior high and high school. She became a very skilled pianist. She also discovered other music styles like soul music, hip hop, and R&B.
During her teenage years, Alicia spent more time in Harlem. She connected with the diverse culture there. This helped her explore music even more and strengthen her character. She met Kerry Brothers Jr., who would become her friend and music partner.
Career Highlights
Early Career and First Steps
In 1985, at age four, Alicia Keys appeared on The Cosby Show. In 1994, manager Jeff Robinson met 13-year-old Alicia. He was impressed by her singing, piano playing, and original songs. Robinson saw her as a complete talent and became her manager. Alicia had already written two songs for her future first album: "Butterflyz" and "The Life".
Robinson wanted Alicia to understand the music business. He took her to meetings with lawyers and record labels. Alicia was not always happy with the slow process. Robinson encouraged her to become a solo artist. After her group broke up, she decided to follow his advice. In 1995, Robinson introduced her to music executive Peter Edge.
Alicia made demo songs and performed for record labels. Many labels wanted to sign her. Columbia Records offered her a deal, including a white baby grand piano. At 15, she signed with Columbia. She was also finishing high school early. She graduated as valedictorian at 16 and started attending Columbia University. However, she found it hard to balance college and music. She decided to leave college after a month to focus on music full-time.
Columbia Records wanted to control Alicia's music and image. They wanted her to sing songs written by others. Alicia felt they did not respect her as a musician. She wanted to create her own music. She felt frustrated and depressed because her music was not sounding the way she wanted. She realized she needed to produce her own work.
Her partner, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, suggested she buy her own equipment. Alicia started working on her music independently. She moved to Harlem and set up a recording studio in her bedroom. This allowed her to create music she was proud of. She composed many songs for her first album during this time. When Columbia executives heard her new songs, they rejected them. They wanted a "radio-friendly sound." Alicia refused to change her music. She felt Columbia had the "wrong vision" for her. She wanted to be an individual, not put in a box.
Leaving Columbia was difficult. They threatened to keep her music. But Alicia fought for her creative freedom. In 1998, Peter Edge introduced her to Clive Davis, who was then at Arista Records.
Breakthrough with Songs in A Minor
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With Clive Davis's help, Alicia left Columbia and signed with Arista Records in late 1998. She was able to keep the music she had created. Davis gave her the creative freedom she wanted. He encouraged her to be herself. Alicia almost chose "Wilde" as her stage name, but her manager suggested "Keys" after a dream. She felt "Keys" fit her perfectly.
In 2000, Clive Davis left Arista and formed J Records. He immediately signed Alicia Keys to his new label. He understood her desire to be an authentic artist. Alicia performed small shows and TV appearances to promote her music. Davis wanted people to discover her talent in person.
Alicia's debut single, "Fallin'", was released in April 2001. It quickly became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. She performed the song on Oprah's show, which helped spread the word. Ebony magazine noted that her unique blend of classical, soul, and hip-hop music was a big success.
Her debut album, Songs in A Minor, was released on June 5, 2001. It received great reviews. The album mixed classical piano with R&B, soul, and jazz. USA Today praised her ability to use blues, soul, jazz, and classical music. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold 236,000 copies in its first week. It went on to sell over 6.2 million copies in the United States and 12 million worldwide. Alicia became the best-selling new artist and R&B artist of the year.
The album's second single, "A Woman's Worth", reached the top ten on the Hot 100. "How Come You Don't Call Me", a cover of a Prince song, was the third single.
Songs in A Minor earned Alicia six Grammy Award nominations. At the 2002 Grammy Awards, she won five awards. These included Song of the Year and Best New Artist. She tied Lauryn Hill's record for the most Grammy wins for a female solo artist in one year. In the early 2000s, Alicia also made small appearances in TV shows like Charmed.
Continued Success with The Diary of Alicia Keys and Unplugged
Alicia's second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, came out in December 2003. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It sold over 618,000 copies in its first week. This was the biggest first-week sale for a female artist in 2003. The album sold 4.4 million copies in the US and eight million worldwide.
The album's first single, "You Don't Know My Name", reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "If I Ain't Got You", was released in February 2004. It peaked at number four on the Hot 100. "If I Ain't Got You" stayed on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for over a year, a record for a female artist. Alicia also worked with Usher on "My Boo" in 2004. This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks.
In 2004, Alicia released her book Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems and Lyrics. It was a collection of her poems and song lyrics. The book became a The New York Times bestseller in 2005. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she won four Grammy Awards. These included Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "If I Ain't Got You" and Best R&B Album for The Diary of Alicia Keys.
In July 2005, Alicia recorded her MTV Unplugged session. She performed new versions of her songs and some covers. The album, Unplugged, debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. It sold one million copies in the US and two million worldwide. It was the highest debut for an MTV Unplugged album since Nirvana's 1994 album.
Alicia also opened a recording studio in Long Island, New York, called The Oven Studios. She co-owns it with her music partner Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. They also co-founded KrucialKeys Enterprises, a team that helps Alicia and other artists create music.
Film Debut and As I Am
In 2006, Alicia won three NAACP Image Awards. She also received the Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In October 2006, she voiced Mommy Martian in The Backyardigans.
In early 2007, Alicia made her film debut in Smokin' Aces. She played an assassin named Georgia Sykes. Her co-stars praised her acting. Later that year, she starred in The Nanny Diaries with Scarlett Johansson.
Alicia released her third studio album, As I Am, in November 2007. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It sold 742,000 copies in its first week, her biggest first-week sales ever. This made it her fourth number-one album in a row. The album sold three million copies in the US and five million worldwide.
The album's main single, "No One", was a huge hit. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. It became her third number-one single on that chart. The second single, "Like You'll Never See Me Again", also topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
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"No One" won Alicia two Grammy Awards in 2008. She also performed with John Mayer at the ceremony. In 2008, Alicia and Jack White recorded the theme song for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. This was the first duet in Bond soundtrack history. She also starred in the film The Secret Life of Bees. Her role earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination.
The Element of Freedom, Marriage, and Motherhood
In 2009, Alicia co-wrote and produced "Million Dollar Bill" for Whitney Houston. She was also featured on Jay-Z's song "Empire State of Mind". This song became her fourth number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It won two Grammy Awards.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers honored Alicia with the Golden Note Award in 2009. She also collaborated with Spanish artist Alejandro Sanz on "Looking for Paradise". This song topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
Alicia released her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom, in December 2009. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. It became her first album to top the UK Albums Chart. The album's single "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" featuring Drake topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for twelve weeks.
In May 2010, Alicia and Swizz Beatz announced their engagement and that they were expecting a child. They married on July 31, 2010. On October 14, 2010, Alicia gave birth to their first son. She recorded a song called "Speechless" for him.
In June 2011, Songs in A Minor was re-released for its 10th anniversary. Alicia went on a special tour called Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys. A wax figure of Alicia was unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York. On September 26, 2011, Alicia debuted as a director with the short film Five. It tells the stories of five women with breast cancer. In October 2011, Alicia's label, J Records, was absorbed into RCA Records. She now releases music under RCA.
Girl on Fire and Other Projects
Alicia released her fifth studio album, Girl on Fire, on November 27, 2012. It was her first album with RCA Records. She wanted the album to "liberate" and "empower" fans. The title track, "Girl on Fire", was the lead single. It reached number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100.
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In September 2012, Alicia worked with Reebok for her own sneaker collection. In October 2012, she partnered with Bento Box Interactive to create an educational mobile app called "The Journals of Mama Mae and LeeLee". It featured two of her original songs. In January 2013, BlackBerry announced Alicia as their new Global Creative Director. However, she parted ways with BlackBerry in January 2014.
In June 2013, Alicia's VH1 Storytellers special was released. In 2014, she collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on "It's On Again" for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. On September 8, 2014, Alicia released a new song called "We Are Here". She described her inspiration for the song on Facebook.
Alicia gave birth to her second son, Genesis Ali Dean, on December 27, 2014. In 2015, she performed at the BET Awards 2015 with The Weeknd. Alicia played Skye Summers in the second season of the TV series Empire.
Here and The Voice
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On March 25, 2016, Alicia was announced as a new coach on Season 11 of The Voice. In May 2016, she released "In Common" and performed it at the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final. The song topped Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart. On June 20, 2016, she released the short film Let Me In, about the refugee crisis. In October 2016, she released "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" featuring A$AP Rocky.
Alicia's sixth album, Here, was released on November 4, 2016. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. It also topped the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Alicia returned for Season 12 of The Voice and won with her artist Chris Blue in May 2017. She later returned for the show's fourteenth season. In December 2017, Alicia appeared on Eminem's album Revival on the song "Like Home". She also featured on songs by Justin Timberlake and James Bay.
On December 6, 2018, Alicia spoke at the Billboard Women in Music event. She talked about her new non-profit, "She Is the Music". This organization aims to support women in the music industry.
Recent Works: Alicia, Keys, and Hell's Kitchen
On January 15, 2019, Alicia Keys was announced as the host of the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. This was the first time a woman hosted the show in 14 years. She hosted again in 2020. In September 2019, Alicia released a new single, "Show Me Love", with Miguel. It became a commercial success on US Urban music charts. This song extended her record for most number-one singles on the Adult R&B Songs chart.
Alicia's seventh studio album Alicia was released on September 18, 2020. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. It won a Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album in 2022. In October 2020, Alicia released "A Beautiful Noise" with Brandi Carlile to encourage voting.
Alicia released her memoir More Myself: A Journey on March 31, 2020. In September 2020, she launched her lifestyle brand Keys Soulcare. In May 2021, she was featured on DMX's album Exodus. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Songs in A Minor, she performed a medley of songs from the album at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
On September 9, 2021, Alicia released the single "Lala (Unlocked)" featuring Swae Lee. This song came before her eighth studio album, Keys, released on December 10, 2021. It was a double album with both produced and stripped-down versions of new songs. In July 2022, she released "Come for Me" featuring Khalid and Lucky Daye. From June 2022, she began her global Alicia + Keys World Tour.
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After her contract with RCA Records ended, Alicia released her ninth studio album, Santa Baby, on November 4, 2022. It was her first Christmas album and her first release as an independent artist.
Between June and August 2023, Alicia went on the Keys to the Summer Tour in North America. She wrote, composed, and produced a musical called Hell's Kitchen with Kristoffer Diaz. It premiered in New York City in November 2023 and moved to Broadway in March 2024. On November 27, 2023, "Lifeline" was released. It was an original song from the 2023 film The Color Purple, written and performed by Alicia.
In February 2024, Alicia performed at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show with Usher. She sang "If I Ain't Got You" and their duet "My Boo". In March 2024, she released "Kaleidoscope" as the lead single from the Hell's Kitchen soundtrack. Her collaboration with Swedish House Mafia, "Finally", was released in August 2024.
Musical Style and Influence
From the start of her career, Alicia Keys has been known as a talented singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. She is praised for her unique style and maturity. The Times wrote that her first album showed a soul "way beyond its years." USA Today noted her "musical, artistic and thematic maturity" early in her career.
Billboard said her debut introduced a different kind of pop singer. She was great on the piano and showed true musicianship. Rolling Stone mentioned that Alicia entered the music world with "hip-hop swagger, an old-school soul sound and older school (as in Chopin) piano chops." She connects with different generations of music fans.
Alicia is also known for controlling her own music and image. She fought for creative freedom since she was 15. PopMatters called her an artist who "clearly has a fine sense of her creative talents." She makes sure her work truly represents her.
Critics praise Alicia's expressive voice and emotional performances. Jam! complimented her "crooning" and "warm" vocals. The Guardian wrote that Alicia "sings with devastating allure." Her voice can be soft or powerful. She has a three-octave vocal range. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her among the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Alicia has been influenced by many artists, including Whitney Houston, John Lennon, Sade, and Stevie Wonder. As a skilled classical pianist, she uses piano in most of her songs. Her music blends vintage soul, gospel, classical piano, R&B, jazz, blues, and hip hop. The Guardian noted her skill in mixing "ruff hip-hop rhythms" with "heartfelt, soulful R&B."
Alicia's songs often explore themes of love, heartbreak, female strength, hope, and life experiences. She also addresses social and political issues. The New York Times noted that her songs explore female identity in the hip-hop era. Her music is diverse, reflecting her background and American culture.
Legacy and Impact
Alicia Keys is often called the "Queen of R&B" by many media outlets. Time magazine has included her twice on its list of 100 most influential people. Journalist Christopher John Farley wrote that her musicianship sets her apart. She can take music from the past and create something new and personal.
VH1 has listed Alicia among the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time." She is also on their "100 Greatest Women" list. Billboard placed her at number 27 on their "35 Greatest R&B Artists of All Time" list in 2015. In January 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her among the 200 Best Singers of All Time.
Alicia has received many awards. These include 16 Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, and 9 Billboard Music Awards. In 2002, she won five Grammy Awards in one night. In 2005, she received the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award. This award honors talented songwriters who are making a big impact.
Rolling Stone wrote in 2016 that Alicia was "something new" in popular music. She connected different generations with her mix of hip-hop, old-school soul, and classical piano. Billboard stated that her debut album introduced a unique pop singer who wrote and performed her own music. AllMusic noted that her debut "kicked off a wave of ambitious new neo-soul songsters."
Alicia Keys is known for blending genres. The Recording Academy stated that she combines her classical background with gospel, jazz, blues, soul, rock, and pop. BBC's Babita Sharma said in 2016 that Alicia has had a big impact on R&B, soul, and jazz music. MOBO described her as a pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has made a lasting contribution to music. She makes classical music more accessible and blends traditional and modern styles.
Alicia Keys has inspired many artists, including Adele, Rihanna, Janelle Monáe, and H.E.R.. A trail in Saint-Jean-d'Heurs, France, has been named after her.
Achievements and Awards
Alicia Keys is one of the world's best-selling music artists. In the United States, she has sold over 17.8 million albums and 21.9 million digital songs. Worldwide, she has sold over 30 million albums. Her singles "No One" and "Empire State of Mind" are among the list of best-selling singles globally.
Billboard ranked Alicia as the fifth-most successful artist of the 2000s. She was also the top R&B artist of that decade. She had 4 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. She also had 8 number-one singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 2008, she set a Guinness World Record by replacing herself at number one on that chart with "No One" and "Like You'll Never See Me Again".
Alicia has won many awards. These include 16 Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, 9 Billboard Music Awards, and 7 BET Awards. In 2002, she won 5 Grammy Awards in one night, a record for a female artist at the time. In 2005, ASCAP named her Songwriter of the Year. In 2014, Fuse ranked her as the thirteenth-most awarded musician of all time.
Charity Work and Activism
After the September 11 attacks, Alicia performed "Someday We'll All Be Free" at the America: A Tribute to Heroes concert. In June 2002, she protested at New York City Hall against proposed cuts to student education budgets. She has also given money to Frum tha Ground Up, a non-profit that provides scholarships to children and teenagers.
Alicia is the co-founder and Global Ambassador of Keep a Child Alive. This organization provides medicine and support to families with HIV and AIDS in Africa and India. She saw the impact of the AIDS epidemic firsthand during a visit to South Africa. She also visited Uganda and Kenya to promote care for children affected by AIDS. Alicia hosts Keep a Child Alive's annual fundraising event, The Black Ball. In 2005, she and Bono released a cover of "Don't Give Up" to raise money for the organization. Her work in Africa was shown in the 2008 documentary Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland.
In 2005, Alicia performed at the Live 8 concerts in Philadelphia. These concerts aimed to raise awareness about poverty in Africa. She also performed at benefit programs for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In July 2007, Alicia performed at the Live Earth concert in New Jersey. She also participated in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, in December 2007. She performed for the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief telethon after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2009, the BET Awards honored Alicia with the Humanitarian Award.
In June 2011, Alicia spoke at the United Nations AIDS conference in New York. She called for support for organizations helping families affected by AIDS. In March 2013, she partnered with Greater Than AIDS to launch EMPOWERED. This campaign educates women in the United States about HIV/AIDS. In December 2012, Alicia performed at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
In July 2016, Alicia participated in a video about taking action against racism in the United States. After the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2017, Alicia protested at the Women's March on Washington. She was a key speaker at the event. In 2017, she received the Ambassador of Conscience award from Amnesty International. In 2018, she was honored by Variety for her work with Keep a Child Alive.
Alicia and her husband, Swizz Beatz, are also art collectors. They collect works by artists like Henry Taylor and Jordan Casteel. They are co-chairs of the Gordon Parks Foundation, which preserves the work of photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks.
Personal Life
Alicia Keys was in a relationship with her long-time friend and collaborator Kerry Brothers Jr. until 2008. She later dated hip hop artist-producer Swizz Beatz. They married on July 31, 2010. They have two sons together.
Discography
Studio albums
- Songs in A Minor (2001)
- The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003)
- As I Am (2007)
- The Element of Freedom (2009)
- Girl on Fire (2012)
- Here (2016)
- Alicia (2020)
- Keys (2021)
- Santa Baby (2022)
Filmography
Films starred
- Smokin' Aces (2006)
- The Nanny Diaries (2007)
- The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Theatre
Music and lyrics
- Hell's Kitchen (2023–2024)
Concert Tours
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Headlining tours
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Co-headlining tours
Concerts
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See also
In Spanish: Alicia Keys para niños
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
- Honorific nicknames in popular music
- List of songs written by Alicia Keys
