Keys, Alicia (1981-…), is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and actress. She became one of the leading popular music performers of the early 2000’s. Keys has won a number of Grammy Awards for her music. From 2016 to 2018, Keys was a coach on the singing-competition television show “The Voice.”
Keys was born on Jan. 25, 1981, in New York City. Her given name is Alicia Augello-Cook. Her manager gave her the stage name Keys. She began studying classical piano at age 7. She graduated from the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City. At age 16, she attended Columbia University but soon dropped out to pursue a career in music.
Keys’s first album, Songs in A Minor (2001), included the hit singles “Fallin’” and “A Woman’s Worth.” She won five 2002 Grammy Awards, including Grammys for best new artist and best rhythm and blues album.
Keys has recorded several other successful albums, including The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003); the live album Unplugged (2005); As I Am (2007), which featured the hit “No One”; The Element of Freedom (2009); and Girl on Fire (2012). She also performed the theme song “Another Way to Die” for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008) as a duet with the American rock singer and musician Jack White. Keys was also featured on the hit “Empire State of Mind” (2009) by the rap performer Jay-Z.
Keys made her motion-picture debut in the action film Smokin’ Aces (2007). Her other films include The Nanny Diaries (2007) and The Secret Life of Bees (2008). Keys wrote the memoir More Myself: A Journey (2020).
