Alicia Keys Biography, Facts & FAQ

Alicia Keys (born Alicia J. Augello-Cook on January 25, 1981) is an American R&B musician and film actress who has sold over 25 million albums worldwide, and won numerous awards including eleven Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and fourteen NAACP Image Awards.

Keys was born in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, in New York City, New York, to Teresa 'Terri' Augello, a paralegal and part-time actress, and Craig Cook, a flight attendant. Keys' parents separated during her early childhood, and she was subsequently raised by her mother during her formative years in Hell's Kitchen, also in Manhattan.

Keys almost chose Wilde as her stage name at age sixteen until her manager suggested the name Keys after a dream he had. Keys felt that name represented her both as a performer and person.

Keys graduated from the Professional Performing Arts School, a prestigious high school in Manhattan, as valedictorian at the age of sixteen in only three years. Although accepted to Columbia University, she decided to drop out and pursue her musical career. Keys signed a demo deal with Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def label, then distributed by Columbia Records. She co-wrote and recorded a song entitled, Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Thing), which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1997 blockbuster, Men in Black. The song was Keys' first professional recording; however, it was never released as a single and her record contract with Columbia Records ended quickly.

Keys later met Clive Davis, who signed her to Arista Records, which has since disbanded. Following Davis to his newly-formed J Records label, she recorded the songs, Rock wit U and, Rear View Mirror, featured on the soundtracks to the films Shaft (2000) and Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) respectively. Keys then released her debut album, Songs in A Minor.

Alicia Keys Awards

Lifetime Awards

2001
Billboard Music Female Artist of the Year
Billboard Music New R&B/Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Billboard Music Female New Artist of the Year
MTV Best New Artist in a Video
Rolling Stone Reader's Choice Best new Artist of the Year
Rolling Stone Reader's Choice Best R&B Artist

2002
Grammy: Song of the Year (Fallin)
Grammy: Best new Artist
Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (Fallin)
Grammy: Best R&B Song (Fallin)
Grammy: Best R&B Album (Songs in A Minor)
American Music Awards Favorite New Artist Pop Music
American Music Awards Favorite New Artist Soul/Rhythm & Blues Music
MTV Europe Best R&B
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding New Artist
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Female Artist
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Song: A Woman's Worth
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Video: Fallin
BET Awards Best New Artist
Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Awards: Album of the Year
Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Awards: Top Female Artist
Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Awards: Top New Artist
Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Awards: Top Albums Aritst
Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards: Best R&B/Soul Album
Soul Train Music Awards: R&B/Soul Album, Female
Soul Train Music Awards: R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
Soul Train Music Awards: Sammy Davis Jr. Entertainer of the Year
Teen Choice Awards: Choice Album
Teen Choice Awards: Choice Singer/Songwriter
Echo Awards: Best New Artist International
World Music Awards: World's Best-Selling New Artist
World Music Awards: Best Selling R&B/Hip Hop Artist

2003
VH1: 100 best songs of past 25 years includes 'Fallin' at #37.

Alicia Keys Discography

As I Am
Released: 11-13-2007
Discs: 1
Tracks: 14

Unplugged
Released: 10-11-2005
Discs: 1
Tracks: 16

The Diary of Alicia Keys
Released: 12-02-2003
Discs: 1
Tracks: 15

Songs in A Minor
Released: 06-26-2001
Discs: 1
Tracks: 15