Biography of Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys was born January 25, 1980, in New York City, New York. The only child of an Irish-Italian mother and an African father, Alicia got her start in showbiz at the tender age of 5 when she guest-starred in an episode of The Cosby Show. That brief experience increased her desire to become a professional performer, and she began taking piano lessons two years later. “I fell in love with the piano,” Alicia Keys recalls fondly. “I knew it was me. I was dying to play.”
alicia keys is signed to j records
Alicia Keys’ passion for the piano was obvious to anyone within earshot, and she parlayed her skill into a spot at New York’s prestigious Professional Performing Arts School where she graduated as the school’s valedictorian at the age of 16. Alicia then briefly flirted with university before inking a deal with musical impresario Clive Davis, who signed her to his fledging J Records label. The powerful multi-genre label proved to be a perfect fit for her enormous talents, and Alicia Keys was soon rewarded Davis’ confidence in her abilities with contributions to the soundtracks of Shaft and Dr. Dolittle 2.
alicia keys releases songs in a minor
Alicia Keys’ big break came in 2001 with the release of her debut album, Songs in A Minor. The multiplatinum record was an immediate hit with fans and critics alike, and Alicia’s brilliance was recognized with an incredible five Grammy Awards, including trophies for Best R&B Album, Best New Artist and Song of the Year for “Fallin’.”
alicia keys' diary of alicia keys
Alicia Keys proved the success of her debut wasn’t a fluke with the release of The Diary of Alicia Keys in 2003. The stunning sophomore album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and went on to win the Grammy Award for best R&B album thanks to the hit singles "You Don't Know My Name," "If I Ain't Got You" and "Karma."
alicia keys in smokin’ aces
Alicia Keys released a live album entitled Unplugged in 2005 before returning to her dramatic roots with roles in the big-screen films Smokin’ Aces, starring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Piven, and The Nanny Diaries, starring Scarlett Johansson. “I always knew that [acting] was in my future,” she admits. “I grew up around the theater. My mother is an actress. I would fall asleep on tons of theater chairs. It's in my blood -- it's in my spirit and my fabric of who I am."