Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys (born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York City) is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, actress, producer, author, and activist, known for blending R&B, soul, jazz, and hip-hop with classical piano.
Alicia Keys grew up primarily in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, raised by her mother, Terria Joseph, after her parents separated when she was young. Her mother, a part-time actress and paralegal, encouraged her artistic side and enrolled her in piano lessons at around age seven, where she trained in classical music and studied composers like Beethoven and Chopin. Keys attended New York’s Professional Performing Arts School, studying music, voice, and dance; she graduated early, around age 16, as valedictorian. She briefly attended Columbia University on a scholarship but left after about a month to focus full-time on her music career.
Keys began writing songs as a preteen and was signed by Columbia Records at about 15, but creative differences and label disputes delayed her debut. After leaving Columbia, she followed music executive Clive Davis to his new label J Records in 1999, where she had more artistic control. Her debut album, Songs in A Minor (2001), featuring the hit single “Fallin’,” was a global success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and earning her five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year.
Following her debut, Keys released The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), which further cemented her status as a leading R&B artist and brought her additional Grammy Awards. In 2007 she issued As I Am, a soul-infused album containing the Grammy-winning single “No One,” which became one of her signature songs. She collaborated with Jay-Z on “Empire State of Mind” (2009), an anthem to New York City that topped charts and expanded her pop reach. Later projects included The Element of Freedom (2009), Girl on Fire (2012, with its title track becoming another defining hit), and subsequent albums that explored more personal, socially conscious themes. Across her career she has sold more than 65 million records worldwide and has become a 15-time Grammy Award winner.
Beyond music, Keys has built a notable acting and producing career. She made her film debut in Smokin’ Aces (2006), followed by roles in The Nanny Diaries (2007) and The Secret Life of Bees (2008), earning praise for her performances. On television, she has appeared in series such as The Cosby Show (as a child), Charmed, American Dreams, and has voiced characters in children’s programming like The Backyardigans. As a producer and director, she co-produced and directed a segment of the TV anthology film Five (2011), and later expanded into film and Broadway producing. She is also a New York Times best-selling author, notably with her memoir More Myself, which combines personal narrative with reflections on identity and artistry.
Keys is widely recognized for her activism, particularly around HIV/AIDS, racial and social justice, and women’s empowerment. She co-founded the organization Keep a Child Alive, which supports children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India, and she has participated in numerous benefit concerts and advocacy campaigns. In the 2010s she became increasingly vocal about self-acceptance and beauty standards, famously embracing a minimal-makeup public image and launching a skincare line connected to this message. She married producer and rapper Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) in 2010, and the couple has children together, often collaborating on creative and philanthropic projects. In theater, Keys created the semi-autobiographical musical Hell’s Kitchen, inspired by her upbringing in New York; it received strong critical attention and moved to Broadway in 2024.
Alicia Keys is regarded as one of the most influential R&B artists of her generation, distinguished by her classical piano skills, songwriting, and mix of soul, hip-hop, and contemporary pop. She is recognized as the top RIAA-certified female R&B artist of the 2000s era, with substantial digital single and album sales in the United States. Her songs such as “Fallin’,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” “No One,” “Empire State of Mind,” and “Girl on Fire” are frequently cited as modern R&B standards. Through her music, public persona, and activism, she has become a cultural figure associated with empowerment, authenticity, and artistic integrity.
Alicia
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Damien Romel Farmer, Justus Alexander West, Kaseem Dean, Khirye Tyler, Larrance Dopson, Terius Nash
2:34
2 Time Machine
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Robin Tadross, Sebastian Kole
4:26
3 Authors Of Forever
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Johnny McDaid, Jonny Coffer
3:37
4 Wasted Energy
Featuring Diamond Platinumz
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Ariowa Irosogie, Kali McLoughlin, Nathaniel Warner, Richard Isong
4:19
5 Underdog
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Amy Wadge, Ed Sheeran, Foy Vance, Johnny McDaid, Jonny Coffer
3:24
6 3 Hour Drive
Featuring Sampha
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jimmy Napes, Sampha Sisay
4:01
7 Me X 7
Featuring Tierra Whack
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jeremiah Bethea, Patrick William Postlewait, J. Pierre Medor, Samuel Kirk Thomas, Tierra Whack, Christopher A. Stewart
3:32
8 Show Me Love
Featuring Miguel
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Daystar Peterson, Miguel Pimentel, Morgan Matthews
3:08
9 So Done
Featuring Khalid
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Khalid Robinson, Ludwig Göransson
3:54
10 Gramercy Park
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jimmy Napes, Sam Romans
3:12
11 Love Looks Better
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Christopher "Brody" Brown, Larrance Dopson, Noel Zancanella, Ryan Tedder
3:23
12 You Save Me
Featuring Snoh Aalegra
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Snoh Nowrozi
3:41
13 Jill Scott
Featuring Jill Scott
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Deleno Matthews, Jill Scott, Kaseem Dean
4:05
14 Perfect Way To Die
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Sebastian Kole
3:31
15 Good Job
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Avery Chambliss, Kaseem Dean, Terius Nash
3:53
Label: RCA – 19439-73411-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2020
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Contemporary R&B
Girl On Fire
2 Brand New Me
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé
3:54
3 When It's All Over
Written-By – Alicia Keys, John Stephens, Stacy Barthe
4:34
4 Listen To Your Heart
Written-By – Alicia Keys, John Stephens
3:46
5 New Day
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Andre Brissett, Dr. Dre, Kaseem Dean, Amber "Sevyn" Streeter, Trevor Lawrence Jr.
4:03
6 Girl On Fire (Inferno Version)
Featuring – Nicki Minaj
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Billy Squier, Jeff Bhasker, Onika Tanya Maraij, Salaam Remi
4:30
7 Fire We Make
Duet With – Maxwell
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Gary Clark Jr., Warren "Oak" Felder
5:21
8 Tears Always Win
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Jeff Bhasker, Phillip Lawrence
3:59
9 Not Even The King
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé
3:07
10 That's When I Knew
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Antonio Dixon, Kenny Edmonds
4:05
11 Limitedless
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Amber "Sevyn" Streeter, Stacy Barthe, Warren "Oak" Felder
3:57
12 One Thing
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Frank Ocean, James Ho
4:09
13 101
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé
6:28
Label: AKW – 88765 41637 2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2012
Genre: R&B Hip Hop, Funk, Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
Songs In A Minor
Written-By – Alicia Keys
1:51
2 Girlfriend
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, Joshua Thompson
Written-By [Interpolation Of "Brooklyn Zoo"] – Derek Harris, Russel Jones
3:35
3 How Come You Don't Call Me
Written-By – Prince
3:58
4 Fallin'
Written-By – Alicia Keys
3:30
5 Troubles
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr.
4:29
6 Rock Wit U
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., Tenisha Smith
5:37
7 A Woman's Worth
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Erika Rose
5:03
8 Jane Doe
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kandi Burruss
3:48
9 Goodbye
Written-By – Alicia Keys
4:21
10 The Life
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., Tenisha Smith
5:25
11 Mr. Man
Duet With – Jimmy Cozier
Written-By – Brian McKnight
2:01
13 Butterflyz
Written-By – Alicia Keys
4:08
14 Why Do I Feel So Sad
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Warryn Campbell
4:26
15 Caged Bird
Written-By – Alicia Keys
3:02
16 Lovin U
Written-By – Alicia Keys
3:48
Label: J Records – 80813-20002-2 RE-1
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B, Neo Soul
Alicia Keys’ 2001 debut Songs in A Minor is a critically acclaimed, genre-bending masterpiece that seamlessly blends neo-soul, classic R&B, and hip-hop with strong piano-driven melodies. Widely praised for its maturity and Keys' authentic, self-produced artistry, the 7x platinum album solidified her as a premier, timeless singer-songwriter.
Keys broke the mold by writing, arranging, and producing most of the album herself, showcasing, at age 20, a level of maturity that drew comparisons to classic soul artists.
The album is noted for its soulful, "piano-blessed" sound, balancing hip-hop beats with jazzy, retro sensibilities.
Hits include the signature track "Fallin'", along with "A Woman's Worth," "Girlfriend," and a notable cover of Prince's "How Come You Don't Call Me".
Critics described her voice as "incredibly persuasive," featuring a "raw" and "sanctified" quality, rather than typical, over-produced pop vocals.
Recognized for its "cultural, historical or aesthetic importance," it was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2022, confirming its enduring status.
While some critics noted that the lyrics sometimes feel conventional compared to the high-level musicianship, Songs in A Minor is largely regarded as a landmark debut that successfully bridged the gap between classic soul and modern R&B.
The Diary Of Alicia Keys
Written-By – Alicia Keys
1:43
2 Karma
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., Taneisha Smith
4:16
3 Heartburn
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Candice Nelson, T. Mosley, Walter Millsap III
3:28
4 If I Was Your Woman / Walk On By
Written-By [If I Were Your Woman] – Clarence McMurray, Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer
Written-By [Walk On By] – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
3:06
5 You Don't Know My Name
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly, J.R. Bailey, Kayne West, Ken Williams, Mel Kent
6:06
6 If I Ain't Got You
Written-By, Producer – Alicia Keys
3:48
7 Diary
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr.
4:44
8 Dragon Days
Written-By, Producer – Alicia Keys
4:36
9 Wake Up
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr.
4:27
10 So Simple
Featuring – Lellow
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Andre Harris, Harold Lilly, Vidal Davis
3:49
11 When You Really Love Someone
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr.
4:09
12 Feeling U, Feeling Me (Interlude)
Written-By, Producer – Alicia Keys
2:07
13 Slow Down
Guitar – Artie White
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Erika Rose, L. Green
4:18
14 Samsonite Man
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Erika Rose
4:12
15 Nobody Not Really
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Taneisha Smith
3:11
Label: J Records – 82876-57017-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2003
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Contemporary R&B, Neo Soul
The Element Of Freedom
2 Love Is Blind
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jeff Bhasker
3:49
3 Doesn't Mean Anything
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr.
4:32
4 Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jeff Bhasker, Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds
4:09
5 Wait Til You See My Smile
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jeff Bhasker, Kasseem Dean
4:01
6 That's How Strong My Love Is
Producer, Written-By – Alicia Keys
4:04
7 Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Aubrey Graham, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Noah Shebib
4:09
8 Love Is My Disease
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Melini Smith, Toby Gad
4:01
9 Like The Sea
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Jeff Bhasker
4:13
10 Put It In A Love Song
Featuring Beyoncé
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kasseem Dean
3:15
11 This Bed
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., Steve Mostyn
3:45
12 Distance And Time
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., Steve Mostyn
4:27
13 How It Feels To Fly
Written-By – Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr.
4:42
14 Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down
Written-By – Al Shuckburgh, Alicia Keys, Angela Hunte, Bert Keyes, Jane't "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepic, Sean Carter, Sylvia Robinson
3:36
Label: J Records – 88697465712
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2009
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B, Neo Soul