Alicia Keys
Albums
Bio
Albums
Songs in A minor
Year Released: 2001
Certification: 5x Platinum
Label: J Records
Guest Stars: Jimmy Dozier, Isaac Hayes
Born and raised in New York, Alicia was destined to make it big. At the tender age of 7, Alicia was introduced to the piano. She studied classical music from Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin (which was her favorite) and delved into such jazz greats as Marian McPartland, Oscar Peterson and Fats Waller. By the age of 14 she wrote her first song "Butterflyz" which is featured on her latest album "Songs in A Minor." Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway, were all her inspirations as were Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z and Wu Tang. She took all of those different genres of music and rolled them all into one, to create a style all her own.
The road to success wasn't an easy one. Born to a white mom, Terri Augello, and a black dad, Craig Cook, she grew up in Hell's Kitchen, New York. "It was kind of a cool spot, but 42nd Street then was no heaven. Prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers," recalls Keys. To cope with the street life, Alicia turned to piano-playing at the age of 7. She attended the Professional Performing Arts High School and rehearsed with vocal coach Conrad Robinson at the Harlem Police Athletic League Community center until at age 16. During this time, Alicia graduated as her high school valedictorian and was accepted to attend Columbia University. Conrad introduced Keys to his brother Jeff, Alicia's 'batman", who began searching for the right label.
Right before starting college, Alicia signed her first deal with Columbia Records, and had to make the difficult decision to leave college in order to pursue her musical dreams. However, Alicia later left Columbia Records due to creative differences. Keys felt they were intruding upon her artistic freedom, and she wanted out. "I wanted to experiment a little more and find my own voice." At age 19, Alicia's wish came true when Clive Davis, who headed up Arista Record at the time, came up with the money to buy Keys out of Columbia and had the same vision as Alicia. She had found a new home with Clive Davis and when he established his new label J Records, Alicia moved with him. Finally, she had a home; a place she could be herself.
Next came the fierce marketing campaign. Davis says "Fallin' fell between the charts at radio - but it was her signature song. So we had to get around radio." Her big break came when Oprah Winfrey agreed to have Keys on the show. After a dynamic performance of Fallin' with 40 million people watching, the number of albums being shipped for the week of release doubled.
The June 26, 2001 release of 'Songs in A minor' debuted at number 1 on the charts and after 29 weeks, and continued to remain in the top 20, going over 7 million times platinum worldwide. Her first single "Fallin" ended the year at No. 2 on the Billboards Hot 100 chart, spending weeks at the number 1 spot.
Since then, Alicia has graced the covers of over 15 magazines from Rolling Stone to Essence, appeared on countless TV shows, and recently completed part one of her solo tour, which sold out venues everywhere. As if that wasn't enough, she has taken home a VMA, two Billboard Awards, two American Music Awards, two NAACP Image Award, Three Soul Train awards, two World Music Awards, one ECCHO award, and oh yeah and who could forget the FIVE Grammys. all by the tender age of 21.
With countless achievements all around the world Alicia is still as humble and real as they come. The world waits for more, as she is ready to give more. "I plan to be in this business for many, many years." Her drive for her music and creativity will only lead her to bigger and better things. For those who wish to follow in her footsteps she has these kinds words for you "Always believe in yourself no matter what anyone else says."
What's next for Alicia? Short term, her second album is scheduled for a 2003 release as well as developing and producing talent with her partner "Krucial" Brothers, for their company, Krucial Keys Enterprise. However, short term isn't exactly what Keys has in mind. "When I'm 31, watch me. When I'm 41 watch me. When I'm 51, oh don't hurt 'em too bad cuz you know I will!" Alicia Keys is here to stay.
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