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Alicia Keys Biography

Courtesy of BMG

Birthdate:January 25, 1981

Alicia Keys Gets Her Start

R&B and hip-hop artist, Alicia Keys, was born and raised in Manhattan, New York. Alicia Keys' musical talent began to show when she was just five years old. Alicia Keys took piano lessons at an early age. Alicia Keys developed her vocal range singing in choir and began song writing in her early teens. Today Alicia Keys is praised for having song writing abilities beyond her years. Alicia Keys had high grades in high school and was able to graduate when she was 16. Alicia Keys jumped from high school to Columbia University but later left to pursue a life of music. Alicia Keys' musical influences growing up were Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Miles Davis, Nina Simone and even Beethoven.

Alicia Keys Gets Her Break

Alicia Keys was approached by record labels and signed with Clive Davis' and Artista Records in 1998. When Clive left the company and started J. Records, Alicia Keys followed. In 2001 the 19 year-old released her first CD, Songs In A Minor, and critics are calling her Roberta Flack, with a hip-hop edge. The album even debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. The main reason it did so well was the first single, Fallin'. The song's a huge hit, and turned Alicia Keys into a household name. Alicia Keys' album also includes a groovy cover of a Prince song, How Come You Don't Call Me. Alicia Keys'newest album is due to hit store shelves November 18, 2003.

Alicia Keys - Did U know?

Alicia was named one of People Magazine's Breakthrough Stars in 2001.

Alicia Keys real name is Alicia Augello Cook.

Alicia Keys wrote the song Butterflyz (on her album Songs in A Minor) when she was 14.

Alicia Keys Says...

"I'm a classically trained pianist, so [my music] has a classical zone in it. It has blues, jazz, R&B, hip-hop. It's a fusion of everything that I am, which is a lot."