Alicia Keys

  • New York, NY
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  • R&B/Soul
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  • 2000
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About Alicia Keys

Official Site: http://aliciakeys.com | @aliciakeys


By mixing R&B with a sultry dose of neo-soul, Alicia Keys became an international star in 2001 with the release of her debut album. Songs in A Minor sold more than 50,000 copies during its first day of availability and eventually moved over ten million units worldwide, thus setting the stage for the 20-year-old's long career. Although she shared the charts with R&B contemporaries like Destiny's Child, Keys' talent distinguished her as a different sort of diva, one who played a variety of instruments and penned the majority of her songs without outside help. The Diary of Alicia Keys cemented her popularity two years later, and Alicia Keys spent the rest of the decade refining her now-signature sound.

Alicia Augello Cook was born in Harlem in early 1981. Raised by her Italian-American mother, she enrolled in classical piano lessons at the age of seven and began writing songs four years later. An education at the Professional Performance Arts School helped develop her vocal skills, and Alicia graduated at the age of 16 as the class valedictorian. Two Columbias loomed on the immediate horizon: Columbia University and Columbia Records, both of whom had extended offers to the talented student/musician. Although she attempted to make both options work, Alicia found it difficult to juggle the two commitments and chose to focus exclusively on her music career. Assuming the stage name of Alicia Keys, she began working with Columbia and contributed a song to the Men in Black soundtrack, but disputes with the label resulted in her contract's termination.

Keys bounced back by aligning herself with Clive Davis, the president of Arista Records, but work on her debut album stalled when Davis was ousted from the company in 2000. Davis soon formed his own label, J Records, and welcomed Keys back into the fold with an aggressive publicity campaign (including an influential appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show). Songs in A Minor was then released in June 2001 and debuted at the top of the charts, eventually netting five Grammys and rising to platinum status in ten different countries. Released in 2003, The Diary of Alicia Keys enjoyed similar Grammy-certified success, and Keys released a book of poetry the following year.

A live CD/DVD package, Unplugged, arrived in 2005 and followed Keys' two previous releases to the top of the charts, even if it failed to win any of the four Grammys for which it was nominated. She then entered the acting world, starring in both Smokin' Aces and The Nanny Diaries in 2007, before issuing the pop-influenced As I Am later that year. It became her fourth consecutive number one album, and she was nominated for another handful of Grammys as a result, with "Superwoman" winning the award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in early 2009. As the year drew to a close, Keys returned to the top of the Billboard charts with "Empire State of Mind," a Jay-Z single that featured her vocals, and released her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom. Although it went platinum, The Element of Freedom didn't reach number one in the U.S., becoming her first album to miss the top slot. It did reach number one in the U.K., though, marking Keys' first chart-topping album in Europe and highlighting her status as a global artist.

During the next two years, Keys married producer Swizz Beatz, gave birth to a son, collaborated with Eve on the single "Speechless," appeared somewhere in Kanye West's "All of the Lights," and went on a brief tour in celebration of her debut album's tenth anniversary. She wrote and, with her husband, co-produced "Angel" for Jennifer Hudson's I Remember Me. In 2012, she assisted Emeli Sandé (Our Version of Events) and Miguel (Kaleidoscope Dream) prior to releasing Girl on Fire, her fifth studio album. It was issued on RCA -- in the wake of J Records' dissolution -- that November and featured collaborations with her husband, as well as Sandé, Salaam Remi, Jeff Bhasker, Frank Ocean, and John Legend. In the U.S., it became her fifth number one album and went gold. VH1 Storytellers, recorded just prior to its release, was issued in June 2013. ~ Andrew Leahey & Andy Kellman, Rovi

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Music

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  • "No One" VH1 Storytellers Teaser
    alicia-keys
    Video
    "No One" VH1 Storytellers Teaser
  • You Don't Know My Name
    alicia-keys
    Video
    You Don't Know My Name
  • Alicia Keys Backstage At VH1 Storytellers
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Alicia Keys Backstage At VH1 Storytellers
  • Tears Always Win
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Tears Always Win
  • Tears Always Win (Single Mix) (Audio)
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Tears Always Win (Single Mix) (Audio)
  • New Day
    alicia-keys
    Video
    New Day
  • Fire We Make
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Fire We Make
  • Fire We Make (Audio)
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Fire We Make (Audio)
  • Brand New Me (Official Lyric Video)
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Brand New Me (Official Lyric Video)
  • Brand New Me
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Brand New Me
  • Brand New Me (VH1 Storytellers)
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Brand New Me (VH1 Storytellers)
  • You Don't Know My Name (VH1 Storytellers)
    alicia-keys
    Video
    You Don't Know My Name (VH1 Storytellers)
  • Empire State Of Mind, Part 2 (VH1 Storytellers)
    alicia-keys
    Video
    Empire State Of Mind, Part 2 (VH1 Storytellers)

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • VH1 Storytellers With Alicia Keys
    alicia-keys
    playlist
    VH1 Storytellers With Alicia Keys
  • VH1 Storytellers Promo
    alicia-keys
    video
    VH1 Storytellers Promo
  • Alicia Keys Sings Out: Obama's 'On Fire'
    alicia-keys
    video
    Alicia Keys Sings Out: Obama's 'On Fire'
  • Alicia Keys Will Bring Style, Her Way To Super Bowl
    alicia-keys
    video
    Alicia Keys Will Bring Style, Her Way To Super Bowl
  • Alicia Keys Is 'So Happy' For Frank Ocean
    alicia-keys
    video
    Alicia Keys Is 'So Happy' For Frank Ocean
  • Alicia Keys Made A 'True Collaboration' With Frank Ocean
    alicia-keys
    video
    Alicia Keys Made A 'True Collaboration' With Frank Ocean
  • Alicia Keys Is A Girl On Fire With Hot New Album
    alicia-keys
    video
    Alicia Keys Is A Girl On Fire With Hot New Album
  • EMA 2012 Red Carpet Interviews with Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys
    alicia-keys
    video
    EMA 2012 Red Carpet Interviews with Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys
  • VH1 News: 11.8.12
    alicia-keys
    video
    VH1 News: 11.8.12
  • Alicia Keys Dishes on Working With Jay-Z on Storytellers
    alicia-keys
    video
    Alicia Keys Dishes on Working With Jay-Z on Storytellers

Photos

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  • Alicia Keys
  • Alicia Keys
    Michelangelo Di Battista
  • Alicia Keys
  • Alicia Keys at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 10, 2013.
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 10, 2013.
    Getty Images
  • Alicia Keys performs at the 2005 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys performs at the 2005 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Getty Images
  • Alicia Keys performs at the 2008 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys performs at the 2008 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Getty Images
  • Alicia Keys performs at the 2004 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys performs at the 2004 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Getty Images
  • Alicia Keys performs at the 2012 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys performs at the 2012 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
    Getty Images
  • Alicia Keys performs The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, LA.
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys performs The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, LA.
    Getty Images
  • Husband and wife team Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys on the scene at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, LA.
    Alicia Keys
    Husband and wife team Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys on the scene at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, LA.
    Getty Images

News

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  • Alicia Keys
    'The Voice' Recap: Kaley Cuoco's Sister Survives Blind Auditions
    MTV News
    October 1, 2013
    Briana Cuoco joins Team Aguilera after performing a cover of Lady Gaga's 'You and I.'
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    'The Voice' Recap: Kaley Cuoco's Sister Survives Blind Auditions
    MTV News
    October 1, 2013
    Briana Cuoco joins Team Aguilera after performing a cover of Lady Gaga's 'You and I.'
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Selfless Snaps: Alicia Keys + John Mayer Perform At The Global Citizen Festival
    MTV Act
    September 30, 2013
    On Saturday, both Alicia Keys and John Mayer gave performances of a lifetime when they performed at the second annual Global Citizen Festival . A...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    First Dibs: Are Kanye West And Kim Kardashian Taking Paris By Storm?
    VH1 Tuner
    September 29, 2013
    Do you love Michael Jackson , but wish he sounded more like metal? What surprise hit song just became Lana Del Rey 's best selling single? Did K...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    John Mayer's Global Citizen Set Was A Full-Out Jam Fest
    MTV News
    September 29, 2013
    The singer went head on into a Grateful Dead hit and rocked out 'Gravity' to the very end.
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    John Mayer's Global Citizen Set Was A Full-Out Jam Fest
    MTV News
    September 29, 2013
    The singer went head on into a Grateful Dead hit and rocked out 'Gravity' to the very end.
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Kings Of Leon Supersoak Global Citizen With Good Ol' Rock And Roll
    MTV News
    September 28, 2013
    The foursome hit the Central Park stage to bring people together to fight global poverty.
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Kings Of Leon Supersoak Global Citizen With Good Ol' Rock And Roll
    MTV News
    September 28, 2013
    The foursome hit the Central Park stage to bring people together to fight global poverty.
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Get Ready for the Global Citizen Festival Tomorrow
    MTV Act
    September 27, 2013
    Last year was the Global Poverty Project ’s first-ever  Global Citizen Festival , and it did so well that the second Global Citizen Festival is takin...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Kimbella: Alicia Keys is the "Baddest Chick"
    www.xxlmag.com
    Kimbella who is currently pitted up against Alicia Keys in XXL's The Baddest Chick In The Game Tournament, surprisingly said she feels that her compet...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys Rocks Baby Bump In BET Awards Performance
    MTV News
    featuring many of her smash hits including "My Boo" (with Usher) and "You Don't Know My Name." Then, decked out in a fuchsia mini and rocking pink hee...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Miguel Touring With Alicia Keys
    pitchfork.com
    Photo by Ebru Yildiz Miguel, who just wrapped up his fall 2012 tour in support of his excellent album Kaleidoscope Dream, will hit the road again in t...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys Named New Global Creative Director for BlackBerry
    Paste
    At today's BlackBerry 10 official launch, singer Alicia Keys was announced as BlackBerry's new Global Creative Director by the smartphone company's CE...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys' Stunning Super Bowl National Anthem Breaks Record
    American Songwriter
    It was the longest performance of the National Anthem in Super Bowl history. It was also one of the best. Seated at a grand piano, Alicia Keys belted ...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    DMX Makes A Special Performance At Alicia Keys Concert In MSG
    www.xxlmag.com
    What was DMX doing at a Alicia Keys concert? I have no idea, but it always a good day when you can catch him perform. The Ruff Rider general made a qu...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys Takes Her 'Tears' To Vegas For New Video
    MTV News
    Alicia Keys is nursing a broken heart on her new single "Tears Always Win." And there's probably no better place to try to get over a heartache than L...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Maxwell Reveals Plans For Upcoming Album, Possible Joint EP With Alicia Keys
    www.vibe.com
    During the Essence Music Festival (July 5), Billboard conducted an interview with Maxwell to discuss his blackSUMMERS'night album and the four-year hi...
    Read More
  • Alicia Keys
    Global Citizen Festival Books Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Kings of Leon
    music.yahoo.com
    Related ContentView Photo Global Citizen Festival Books Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Kings of L ... On September 28th, Stevie Wonder, Alici...
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  • Alicia Keys
    Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, John Mayer, Alicia Keys Set for Global Citizen Festival
    www.jambands.com
    Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, John Mayer and Alicia Keys will perform at the second annual Global Citizen Festival in New York City's Central Park on ...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Nov 15 Friday
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates Dubai Media City
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  • Nov 27 Wednesday
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Putra Indoor Stadium
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  • Dec 5 Thursday
    Perth, WA, Australia Perth Arena
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 7 Saturday
    Coldstream, VIC, Australia Rochford Wines
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 8 Sunday
    Melbourne, VIC, Australia Rod Laver Arena
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 9 Monday
    Hindmarsh, SA, Australia Adelaide Entertainment Centre 
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 11 Wednesday
    Sydney, NSW, Australia Allphones Arena
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 13 Friday
    Boondall, QLD, Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 14 Saturday
    Pokolbin, NSW, Australia Hope Estate
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 19 Thursday
    Auckland, New Zealand Vector Arena
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • VH1 Storytellers (2013)
    Alicia Keys
    VH1 Storytellers (2013)
    RCA
  • Girl on Fire (2012)
    Alicia Keys
    Girl on Fire (2012)
    RCA
  • The Element of Freedom (2009)
    Alicia Keys
    The Element of Freedom (2009)
    J Records
  • As I Am (2007)
    Alicia Keys
    As I Am (2007)
    Zomba
  • Unplugged (2005)
    Alicia Keys
    Unplugged (2005)
    Sony Music Distribution
  • The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003)
    Alicia Keys
    The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003)
    J Records
  • Songs in A Minor (2001)
    Alicia Keys
    Songs in A Minor (2001)
    J Records
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