Alicia Keys
Born 1981 · Age 45
Alicia Keys (Alicia Augello Cook) is an American singer, songwriter, classically trained pianist, actress, producer, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Breakthrough with Songs in A Minor (2001); multiple Grammy winner; co-founder of Keep a Child Alive; founder of Keys Soulcare; composer/producer of Broadway musical Hell's Kitchen.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Alicia Augello Cook born to Teresa Augello (mother) and Craig Cook (father) in New York City.
Acting debut on The Cosby Show
Appeared as Maria, one of Rudy's slumber-party friends — one of her earliest public performances.
Begins classical piano lessons
Started classical piano instruction, practicing heavily and learning Suzuki method and classical repertoire.
Writes first songs (began composing)
Composed her first song at about age 12 inspired by film Philadelphia; early songwriting begins.
Met manager Jeff Robinson
Manager Jeff Robinson discovered 13-year-old Keys through Teens in Motion and began guiding her career.
Introduced to A&R Peter Edge; demo sessions began
Robinson introduced her to Peter Edge; assembled demos and performed showcases; interest from labels.
Signed to Columbia Records
Signed to Columbia at age 15 (Columbia offered a $26,000 white baby grand piano as part of deal).
Graduated early and briefly enrolled at Columbia University
Graduated high school as valedictorian at 16, accepted scholarship to Columbia University, dropped out after one month to focus on music.
Negotiated release from Columbia; signed to Arista Records
With help of Peter Edge and Clive Davis, she left Columbia and signed to Arista, retaining her creative material.
Signed to Clive Davis's J Records
Clive Davis left Arista, formed J Records and immediately signed Alicia Keys; Davis gave her creative freedom.
Soundtrack contributions (Shaft, Dr. Dolittle 2)
Contributed songs 'Rock wit U' and 'Rear View Mirror' to film soundtracks, raising profile prior to album debut.
Single 'Fallin'' released — No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
'Fallin'' released as debut single (April 2001), reached No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and stayed six weeks at top.
Released debut album Songs in A Minor
Debut studio album released June 5, 2001; launched her as a major artist combining classical piano with R&B/soul.
Won five Grammy Awards (44th Annual Grammys)
Swept five Grammys including Song of the Year, Best New Artist and Best R&B Album for Songs in A Minor.
Released The Diary of Alicia Keys (2nd album)
Second studio album released Dec 2003; debuted at #1 with ~618,000 first-week sales; sold ~8 million worldwide.
Co-founded Keep a Child Alive (nonprofit)
Established HIV/AIDS-focused nonprofit to provide care and support in Africa and India; serves as Global Ambassador.
Duet 'My Boo' with Usher hits No. 1
Duet 'My Boo' reached No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks; furthered mainstream chart success.
Published Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems and Lyrics
Released a book of poems and lyrics; sold over $500,000 and reached The New York Times bestseller list in 2005.
Headlined The Great Wall Concert (Wall of Hope)
Performed on the Great Wall of China at a benefit concert commemorating restoration efforts.
Opened The Oven Studios; co-founded KrucialKeys Enterprises
Opened a Long Island recording studio she co-owns with Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers and formalized production team KrucialKeys.
Recorded MTV Unplugged (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
Taped MTV Unplugged session July 2005; performance included new arrangements and covers.
Released Unplugged album — debuted at No.1
Unplugged released Oct 2005; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 with 196,000 first-week sales; first female MTV Unplugged to debut at #1.
Performed live with David Bowie (final public performance)
Performed with David Bowie at a New York fundraiser; noted as Bowie's last public performance.
Film debut 'Smokin' Aces' and 'The Nanny Diaries'
Made film acting debut in Smokin' Aces (2007) and co-starred in The Nanny Diaries (2007); raised acting profile.
Released third studio album As I Am
As I Am released Nov 2007; debuted at No.1 with 742,000 first-week sales; included #1 single 'No One'.
Released James Bond theme 'Another Way to Die' with Jack White
Performed and released the theme single for Quantum of Solace with Jack White (2008).
Released The Element of Freedom; featured on 'Empire State of Mind'
Fourth studio album The Element of Freedom (2009) sold ~4 million worldwide; guest appearance on Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind' reached No.1.
Married Swizz Beatz
Married hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) in July 2010; later had two children.
Birth of first son, Egypt Daoud Dean
Welcomed first child with Swizz Beatz in October 2010.
Composed music for 'Stick Fly' (theatre) and directed segment of Five
Expanded into theatre composition (Stick Fly) and directed one segment of TV film Five (2011).
Released fifth studio album Girl on Fire
Girl on Fire (2012) debuted at No.1 on Billboard 200; lead single 'Girl on Fire' became signature song.
Birth of second son, Genesis Ali Dean
Welcomed second son with Swizz Beatz in December 2014.
Released sixth studio album Here (peaked at No.2)
Here (2016) was socially conscious and peaked at No.2 on Billboard 200.
Co-founded She Is The Music (initiative)
Listed as an original founder of She Is The Music, an initiative to create an equal future for women in music (organization launched publicly 2018).
Hosted the Grammy Awards (2019); hosted again in 2020
Hosted the Grammy Awards ceremony twice (2019, 2020), boosting profile as industry elder/ambassador.
Released Alicia (album), launched Keys Soulcare, published memoir More Myself
Released album Alicia (2020), launched skincare/wellness brand Keys Soulcare, and published memoir 'More Myself: A Journey'.
Released double album Keys (Original and Unlocked)
Released KEYS double album (Originals & Unlocked) in 2021 and later toured (Alicia + Keys World Tour sold out).
Released Santa Baby (first independent release) and graphic novel 'Girl On Fire'
Released holiday album Santa Baby independently (Nov 2022) and published YA graphic novel Girl On Fire (March 2022).
Completed KEYS TO THE SUMMER tour; Hell's Kitchen Off-Broadway debut
Completed a 360-degree KEYS TO THE SUMMER tour (22 cities) and debuted semi-autobiographical musical Hell's Kitchen Off-Broadway (Nov 2023).
Hell's Kitchen received 13 Tony Award nominations
The musical Hell's Kitchen received 13 Tony nominations following its Broadway run.
Total career record sales milestone reported (~90M+)
Career sales milestone reported: over 90 million records sold worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists.
Hell's Kitchen opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre
Hell's Kitchen transferred to Broadway (opened April 20, 2024), earned critical acclaim and commercial success.
Hell's Kitchen won 2 Tony Awards; Grammy recognition for musical theater album
Hell's Kitchen won two Tony Awards; the cast/creators won the 2025 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album (musical success recognized across awards seasons).
Honored with Dr. Dre Global Impact Award (2025 Grammys)
Received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2025 Grammy Awards for her philanthropic and cultural contributions.
Giants: Dean Collection exhibition (co-curated with Swizz Beatz) opened at Brooklyn Museum
Giants: Art from the Dean Collection (nearly 100 works by Black diasporic artists) opened at the Brooklyn Museum (Feb 2024, touring through 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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