Alicia Keys
Born 1981 · Age 44
American singer-songwriter, classically trained pianist, actress, author, entrepreneur and activist; multi‑Grammy winner and creator of the Broadway musical Hell's Kitchen.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Alicia Augello Cook was born in New York City (Hell's Kitchen).
Television acting debut on The Cosby Show
Appeared as Maria, one of Rudy's slumber-party friends.
Began classical piano lessons
Started formal classical piano lessons (studied Suzuki method, practiced many hours daily).
Wrote first song
Wrote her first song on piano about her grandfather after seeing the film Philadelphia; began composing regularly.
Met future manager Jeff Robinson
Met manager Jeff Robinson at the Teens in Motion program after performing with a three‑member band in Harlem.
Signed to Columbia Records
Signed to Columbia Records at age 15; Columbia offered a $26,000 white baby grand piano as part of the deal.
Recorded 'Little Drummer Girl' for So So Def holiday compilation
One of the first released recordings during Columbia period.
Graduated high school early; enrolled at Columbia University
Valedictorian of her high school class; accepted scholarship and started Columbia University at 16 then left after roughly a month to pursue music full time.
Co-wrote song for Men in Black soundtrack
Co-wrote 'Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Thing)' for the Men in Black (1997) soundtrack — the only released recording while at Columbia.
Negotiated release from Columbia; signed to Arista
Left Columbia after creative disputes and signed to Arista Records with help of Peter Edge and Clive Davis.
Clive Davis forms J Records; Keys signs
When Davis left Arista to found J Records, Alicia followed and became one of J Records' first signees.
Contributed to film soundtracks (Shaft, Dr. Dolittle 2)
Contributed songs 'Rock wit U' (Shaft) and 'Rear View Mirror' (Dr. Dolittle 2) as she prepared for debut album.
Songs in A Minor debuts at #1 (Billboard 200)
Debuted at #1 with 236,000 first-week retail sales and exceptional follow-up orders.
Released debut single 'Fallin''
'Fallin'' released ahead of debut album; became her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and spent six consecutive weeks at the top.
Released debut album 'Songs in A Minor'
Debut studio album released to critical acclaim; blended classical piano with R&B/soul/jazz.
Wrote/produced for Christina Aguilera
Wrote and produced the song 'Impossible' for Christina Aguilera's Stripped (2002), also providing background vocals and piano.
Won five Grammy Awards (44th Annual Grammys)
Won Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Album — tying Lauryn Hill's record for a woman in one year.
Co‑founded Keep a Child Alive (nonprofit)
Co‑founded the HIV/AIDS charity Keep a Child Alive; serves as Global Ambassador.
Released second album 'The Diary of Alicia Keys'
Second studio album released December 2003; debuted at #1 with 618,000 first-week sales and sold ~8 million units worldwide.
KrucialKeys production partnership (ongoing)
Formalized creative partnership with Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers (KrucialKeys Enterprises) to produce and write music for her and others.
Published 'Tears for Water' (book)
Released a collection of poems and lyrics; the book sold over $500,000 and reached The New York Times bestseller list in 2005.
Duet 'My Boo' with Usher hits #1
Duet from Usher's Confessions (Special Edition) topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks; Keys won a Grammy for the performance.
Headlined Great Wall Benefit Concert (Juyongguan)
Headlined the Wall of Hope benefit concert on the Great Wall of China commemorating restoration anniversary.
Opened The Oven Studios; co‑founded KrucialKeys Enterprises
Opened The Oven Studios in Long Island and co‑owns it with Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers; co‑founded the KrucialKeys production/songwriting team.
Named to Time 100 (most influential people)
Included on Time magazine's 100 list of most influential people (first inclusion 2005; also named again in 2017).
Won four Grammy Awards (for Diary era)
At the 2005 Grammys won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo/Group (with Usher).
Recorded MTV Unplugged at BAM
Taped an MTV Unplugged performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music featuring new arrangements and covers.
Released 'Unplugged' (live album) — debuted #1
First live album debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 (196,000 first-week sales); first female artist's MTV Unplugged to debut at #1.
Received NAACP Image Awards and Songwriters Hall of Fame Starlight Award
Won three NAACP Image Awards including Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Song; received Starlight Award from Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Feature film debut in Smokin' Aces
Acted as Georgia Sykes; the film grossed approximately $57.1M worldwide.
Co-starred in The Nanny Diaries
Co-starred alongside Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans; film grossed roughly $44.6M worldwide.
Released third album 'As I Am' — debuted #1
Album debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 with 742,000 first‑week sales; sold ~5 million copies worldwide.
Released James Bond theme duet 'Another Way to Die' with Jack White
Performed the theme single for Quantum of Solace (2008).
Released 'The Element of Freedom' — international success
Fourth studio album peaked atop UK Albums Chart and sold ~4 million copies worldwide.
Featured on Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind' (2009) — #1 single
Guest appearance on the chart‑topping single that became another US No. 1 for Keys.
Billboard: Top Artist of 2000s (R&B/Hip‑Hop)
Billboard named her the Top Artist of the 2000s in the R&B/Hip‑Hop category and placed her in decade/25‑year lists.
Released fifth album 'Girl on Fire'
Album spawned lead single 'Girl on Fire' and became her fourth non‑consecutive album to peak at #1 on Billboard 200.
Coach on The Voice (TV role)
Served as a coach on NBC's The Voice (seasons and periods including 2016–2018 appearances and related roles).
Released sixth album 'Here' — debuted at #2
Album 'Here' peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200; included lead single 'In Common'.
Named again to Time 100
Included a second time on Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people.
Original founder of 'She Is The Music' initiative
Listed among original founders of She Is The Music, an industry initiative to create change and equality for women in music (founding year commonly cited as 2018).
Released album 'Alicia' (2020)
Seventh studio album released during the COVID‑19 pandemic; debuted to strong critical response.
Launched Keys Soulcare (wellness/skincare brand)
Announced and launched beauty/lifestyle brand Keys Soulcare focused on body, mind and spirit.
Published memoir 'More Myself: A Journey'
Released New York Times bestselling memoir co‑written with Michelle Burford.
Released double album 'Keys' (Original & Unlocked)
Eighth studio album released as a double album with two distinct versions; spawned singles and supported a world tour.
Released graphic novel 'Girl On Fire' (YA)
Published first graphic novel for young adults in partnership with HarperCollins.
Released holiday album 'Santa Baby' — first independent release
Ninth studio album; a holiday album and Keys' first independent release including four original songs.
Completed KEYS TO THE SUMMER tour (North America)
Completed a large 360-degree concert production across 22 North American cities in 2023.
Debuted 'Hell's Kitchen' Off‑Broadway (workshop/initial run)
Semi‑autobiographical musical she wrote and composed debuted Off‑Broadway; process had been in development ~13 years.
Hell's Kitchen received 13 Tony Award nominations
The production received widespread recognition with 13 Tony Award nominations during its Broadway season.
Career sales milestone: 90+ million records sold (reported)
Reported total career sales surpassed 90 million records worldwide, affirming status as one of best‑selling artists.
Giants exhibition opened at Brooklyn Museum (Dean Collection)
The Dean Collection exhibition co‑curated/organized by Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys opened at The Brooklyn Museum.
Hell's Kitchen opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre
Her semi‑autobiographical musical transferred to Broadway (Shubert Theatre) to critical acclaim and commercial success.
Received Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the Grammys
Honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Hell's Kitchen wins 2 Tony Awards and Grammy (Best Musical Theater Album)
The musical won two Tony Awards and the cast/album won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (per sources).
Key Achievement Ages
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