Alicia Keys Overview
Alicia Keys was a Grammy award-winning American singer who became famous with her debut album Songs in A Minor which sold over 12 million copies and established her as an overnight sensation. Not only was her debut album a huge commercial success, it also received much critical acclaim and won her several prestigious awards. Her success continued with the release of her subsequent albums and she became one of contemporary America’s most favorite singers. She was born on January 25, 1981, in New York City, USA, to Teresa and Craig Cook. Her parents separated when she was young and was primarily raised by her mother, who was a part-time actress.
Started Her Career
Born as the daughter of a part-time actress, Alicia Keys was exposed to show business from a young age and was encouraged by her mother to take music and dance lessons. Her mother ensured that young Alicia Keys received dance and music lessons. She started learning classical piano when she was seven, and enrolled at the Professional Performing Arts School at the age of 12. She graduated as valedictorian at the age of 16, and she was accepted into Columbia University. However, she dropped out of college after a month to pursue her music career. At the age of 20, she released her debut album which became a hit, selling millions of copies and earning positive reviews from the critics. Her subsequent albums performed well, proving to everyone that she was not a one-time wonder.
Career Record
Her next album As I Am, after Songs in A Minor and The DIary of Alicia Keys, came out in 2007. This album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart and became a commercial success worldwide. It spawned super hit singles, No One and Another Way to Die. She also ventured into films and had a starring role in the 2006 movie Smokin Aces. She played the role of Georgia Sykes, a female contract killer. She also played the role of June Boatwright’ in the 2008 drama film The Secret Life of Bees which was based on the story of a 14-year-old girl who was haunted by the memory of her late mother.
In 2009, she released the album, named The Element of Freedom. Characterized by a mid-tempo, low-key sound, the album featured mostly ballads. Her next album, Girl on Fire, was out in November 2012. It was a mixture of conventional songs and piano ballads, with occasional references to marriage and motherhood. In 2019, she released two singles titled Show Me Love and Time Machine from the album. She also appeared as a coach for three seasons in the American singing TV reality show, named The Voice, and hosted the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Personal Life and Net Worth
Alicia Keys was the co-founder and global ambassador of Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit organization that provides medicine to families affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa. In July 2010, she married to Swizz Beatz, and has two children named Egypt and Genesis. Along her career, she has a net worth of $150 million, which was a combined net worth that she shares with her husband.