Alicia Keys - Biography

Alicia Augello Cook was born on January 25, 1981, in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. A classically trained pianist, she began composing songs at the age of 12 and secured a recording deal with Columbia Records at just 15. During her youth, she enrolled at the Professional Performing Arts School at age 12, immersing herself in music, dance, and theater while majoring in choir.

Following disputes with Columbia, Keys joined J Records to release her 2001 debut studio album, Songs in A Minor. The project arrived to widespread critical acclaim and commercial triumph, selling more than 12 million copies globally and garnering five Grammy Awards. Her follow-up release, The Diary of Alicia Keys, sustained her extraordinary momentum by selling eight million copies across the globe. With the 2005 release of Unplugged, she made history as the first female artist to see an MTV Unplugged recording enter the Billboard 200 in the top spot.

Keys has consistently distinguished herself across the industry as a multifaceted performer, songwriter, instrumentalist, arranger, and producer. Rooted in vintage gospel and soul traditions, her musical creations seamlessly unite classical piano with elements of R&B, jazz, blues, and hip-hop. Having sold over 90 million records internationally, Keys stands among the best-selling recording artists in the history of music. Alongside her creative achievements, she is deeply celebrated for her enduring humanitarian commitments, activism, and philanthropy.