Alicia Keys is an American singer who rocketed to prominence with her debut album, ‘Songs in A Minor,’ which sold over 12 million copies and made her an overnight phenomenon. Her debut album was not only a commercial triumph, but it also got widespread critical acclaim and earned her a number of major accolades. Her success grew with the publication of her successive albums, and she became one of the most popular singers in modern America. She was exposed to show business at a young age as the daughter of a part-time actor, and her mother urged her to pursue music and dance lessons. She enrolled in the ‘Professional Performing Arts School’ when she was barely 12 years old. She had gained significant songwriting skills in addition to her singing talent by the time she graduated. She launched her debut album at the age of 20, which became a hit, selling millions of copies and receiving excellent reviews from reviewers. Her subsequent albums were well-received, demonstrating that she was not a one-hit wonder. She eventually moved into television and film, appearing in films like ‘Smokin’ Aces’ and ‘Dove: Fresh Takes.’
Childhood and Adolescence
Teresa and Craig Cook gave birth to Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York City, New York. Her mother worked as a flight attendant and her father as a part-time actress. Her ancestors are of mixed race. Her parents divorced when she was a child, and she was reared mostly by her mother.
Her mother made certain that Alicia received dancing and music instruction as a child. She began studying classical piano at the age of seven. At the age of 12, she enrolled in the ‘Professional Performing Arts School.’
At the age of 16, she graduated as valedictorian. She became serious about her musical career after graduation and signed a recording contract with ‘Columbia Records.’ She was accepted into ‘Columbia University’ about the same time. After a month, she dropped out of college to pursue her music career.
Career of Alicia Keys
‘Songs in A Minor,’ her debut studio album, was published in 2001. Soon after its debut, the record became a sensation. It went on to sell more than 6.2 million copies in the United States and 12 million copies globally, propelling her to international stardom.
‘The Diary of Alicia Keys,’ her much-anticipated second album, was released in 2003. The album opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and went on to sell over 618,000 copies in its first week.
In 2007, she released her next album, ‘As I Am.’ This album, like the others, was a huge hit. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 list in the United States and went on to become a worldwide commercial success. ‘No One’ and ‘Another Way to Die’ were big hit singles from the album.
She has tried her hand at acting, starring in the 2006 film ‘Smokin’ Aces.’ Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Andy Garcia, and Ray Liotta also starred in the film. ‘Georgia Sykes,’ a female contract killer, was her character.
In the 2008 drama film ‘The Secret Life of Bees,’ Alicia Keys plays the character of ‘June Boatwright,’ which is based on the narrative of a 14-year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother.
‘The Element of Freedom,’ her debut album, was released in 2009. The album comprised largely ballads and had a mid-tempo, low-key feel. It was a box office hit and earned favorable reviews from reviewers.
In November 2012, her album ‘Girl on Fire’ was released. It was a combination of traditional tunes and piano ballads, with references to marriage and motherhood thrown in for good measure. Despite its moderate popularity, the album’s commercial performance paled in contrast to its predecessors.
In November 2016, Alicia’s sixth studio album, ‘Here,’ was released. The album received positive reviews and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. It looked into African-Americans’ societal problems.
In May 2017, she announced the release of her seventh studio album. She released two singles from the album in 2019, titled ‘Show Me Love’ and ‘Time Machine.’ Her next song, ‘Underdog,’ was released the following year. She was a coach on the American singing reality show ‘The Voice’ for three seasons. She also served as the host of the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Major Projects of Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys’ debut album, “Songs in A Minor,” rocketed her to sudden fame and established her as a burgeoning musical sensation. In its first week, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 list, selling over 236,000 copies. It also earned her a number of honors and medals.
Achievements & Awards
Alicia Key won ‘Grammy Awards’ in 2002 for ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Best R&B Song,’ ‘Best R&B Album,’ (Songs in A Minor), ‘Best Female R&B Vocal Performance,’ and ‘Best New Artist.’ She won four ‘Grammy Awards’ in 2005, including ‘Best R&B Album’ and ‘Best R&B Song’ for ‘You Don’t Know My Name.’
For ‘Unbreakable,’ she won three NAACP Image Awards in 2006, including ‘Outstanding Female Artist’ and ‘Outstanding Song.’ For ‘Girl on Fire,’ she won the ‘Grammy Award’ for ‘Best R&B Album’ in 2014.
Personal History and Legacy
In July 2010, Alicia Keys married Swizz Beatz, a hip-hop producer. Egypt (born in October 2010) and Genesis (born in November 2010) are the couple’s two sons (born in December 2014).
Estimated Net Worth
Alicia keys’ net worth is reported to be $150 Million.
Trivia
She is the co-founder and global spokesperson of ‘Keep a Child Alive,’ a non-profit that delivers medicine to African families impacted by HIV and AIDS. She also participates in charity concerts on a regular basis to collect money for a variety of humanitarian causes.