Alicia Keys
Biography
Alicia Augello Cook, known professionally as Alicia Keys, was born on January 25, 1981, in New York City. Raised by her mother in Hell's Kitchen, she began playing the piano at age seven. Keys attended the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, where she majored in choir and graduated as valedictorian at sixteen. She briefly attended Columbia University on a scholarship before deciding to pursue her music career full-time.
Musical Career
Keys signed with Columbia Records at the age of 15, but after creative differences, she moved to J Records, founded by Clive Davis. Her debut album, "Songs in A Minor," was released in 2001 to critical and commercial acclaim. The album, which featured the hit single "Fallin'," sold over 12 million copies worldwide and earned Keys five Grammy Awards in 2002, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year.
Subsequent Success
Her second album, "The Diary of Alicia Keys," released in 2003, also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over eight million copies worldwide. This album earned her four more Grammy Awards. Her subsequent albums, including "As I Am" (2007), "The Element of Freedom" (2009), "Girl on Fire" (2012), and "Here" (2016), have all achieved significant commercial success, with several reaching the top of the Billboard charts. Throughout her career, Keys has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists.
Awards and Recognition
Alicia Keys has received numerous awards throughout her career, including 17 Grammy Awards, 17 NAACP Image Awards, and 12 ASCAP Awards. Billboard named her the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the 2000s. In 2024, her semi-autobiographical musical, "Hell's Kitchen," debuted on Broadway and received 13 Tony Award nominations.
Other Ventures
Acting
Keys made her film debut in the 2006 action film "Smokin' Aces." She has also appeared in films such as "The Nanny Diaries" (2007) and "The Secret Life of Bees" (2008). Additionally, she has worked in television, serving as a coach on "The Voice" from 2016 to 2018 and hosting the Grammy Awards in 2019 and 2020.
Activism and Philanthropy
Keys is a dedicated activist and humanitarian. She is a co-founder of Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit organization that provides treatment and support to families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. She has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, social justice, and the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2016, she launched the #NoMakeup movement to encourage women to embrace their natural beauty.