Genres: Seasonal,Rap/Hip Hop,Pop,Soul/R&B,Soundtracks,Rock

She was born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York. When she was only 4 years old, she had her television debut on The Cosby Show as one of the girls in the "Slumber Party" episode. By the time Keys was seven years old, she was playing classical music on the piano. At 12, she attended the Professional Performing Arts School and by the time she was 14 years old, she was writing her own songs and composing her own music.

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Alicia Keys

"I grew up in the city, I saw what the city did to people and I always knew I wanted to be something more." Known for her original music, stage presence, and classical style, Alicia Keys has become on of the most popular and successful R&B artists.

Born to play

She was born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York. When she was only 4 years old, she had her television debut on The Cosby Show as one of the girls in the "Slumber Party" episode. By the time Keys was seven years old, she was playing classical music on the piano. At 12, she attended the Professional Performing Arts School and by the time she was 14 years old, she was writing her own songs and composing her own music.

Keys graduated class valedictorian and was accepted to Columbia University. She also signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and had to drop out of school only after a month. While recording with Columbia Records, Keys recorded "The Little Drummer Girl" and "Dah Dee Dah" for the Men in Black soundtrack in 1997. Due to disputes with Columbia, Keys was dropped and she later signed with Artista Records and then on to J Records.

Music Career

Alicia Keys released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, in 2001, which went on to sell more than 12 million copies. This album earned a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and Best New Song of the Year, for the first single, Fallin. In total in 2002, Keys won five Grammy Awards. A year later, she released her sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, which went on to sell more than 8 million copies worldwide. This album also won 4 Grammy Awards. In 2004, she released her MTV Unplugged album that debuted in the number one.

After embarking on a world tour, Alicia Keys released her fourth album, As I Am in 2007. Following the pattern of her previous albums, she sold more than 6 million records and earned her another three Grammy Awards. Not wasting any time, in December 2009, Keys released her fifth album, The Element of Freedom. This album was her first to reach the top spot on the U.K. charts. Over the course of her career, she has sold more than 30 million albums and won more than 15 Grammy Awards.

Back to acting

Aside from her child acting days, Alicia Keys has been on several television shows and has also appeared in a few movies. In 2007, she had a major role in the film, Smokin' Aces, where she played an assassin and partner to Taraji P. Henson. Gaining respect as an actress, Keys was later casted for the film, The Nanny Diaries, where she worked with Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson.

She also had a major role in the film, The Secret Life of Bees, in which she co-stared with Queen Latifah. Keys was nominated for a NAACP Image Award for her performance. Her television appearances include Charmed, Cane, and The Cosby Show. She is expected to participate in a Disney film based on a 1940's child prodigy, Phillippa Schuyler.

Philanthropist

Alicia Keys is very passionate about giving back to not only her community and using her influence to help impoverished people around the world. She is the co-founder of Keep a Child Alive, an organization that provides support and medical services to families that are affected by AIDS and HIV in Africa. She has traveled all across Africa promoting wellness and care for children that infected with the disease. She also works with From tha Ground Up and ReAct Now. In 2009, Alicia Keys was presented with a Humanitarian Award from BET, for her efforts and support for AIDS and HIV awareness.

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