Childhood:

Alicia keys was born in Manhattan, New York. Alicia Keys is a talented star. Alicia’s mother plays a vital role in making her a big star. As told by her mother that she could quit anything else, but she could never give up on her piano lessons. This step makes Alicia to play piano even today. She was so influenced by then instructor at Manhattan School of Professional Performance Arts. She was given many important tips to improve her vocal quality. As described by Alicia herself “This teacher spent so much time with me, she became the closest thing to vocal training I received,". She was out of school at the age of 16. She was also good in the academic "I was so deeply involved in music; I had already outgrown all the pressure of high school cliques and gossip." Columbia University immediately accepted Keys and she decided to take advantage of the offer, but her deep interest in music continues to prevail over everything else.

Career:

Young Alicia became a multitalented musician with the help of her school adviser from the Professional Performance Arts School of Manhattan. "This teacher spent so much time with me; she became the closest thing to vocal training I received." Alicia Keys She signed a contract with Arista Records and got guidance by such greats as D'Angelo and Prince, Alicia continued writing, producing and recording music. The end results were very exciting and glorious. Alicia recorded movie soundtracks in Men in Black (1997), Shaft (2000) and Dr. Doolittle 2 (2001). Alicia joined the group formed by the Arista record head, Clive Davis, named as J Records. The legendary record tycoon persistently promoted Alicia on BET, MTV and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Major Breakthrough:

Alicia's major breakthrough came at age 19 when she released her debut album, Songs in A Minor (2001). With R&B, hip-hop, classical and jazz influences the album hit the Billboard charts at #1. The first day the album was on the market, it sold over 50,000 copies. The album went platinum five times in 14 European countries. Songs in A Minor consisted of hit singles Fallin' and Troubles and featured collaborated songs with Jermaine Dupri on Girlfriend and Isaac Hayes on Rock Wit U. Thereafter she never looked back and released her second album called The Diary of Alicia keys in the year 2003. The album's hit single, Karma, was released in the UK on February 7th 2004. This particular album fetched her many awards and fame. Alicia received 8 Grammy award nominations for: Album of the Year, "Diary of Alicia Keys"; Song of the Year, "If I Ain't Got You"; Best R&B Song, You Don't Know My Name and Best R&B Song, "My Boo". She was also nominated for: Best R&B Album; "Diary of Alicia Keys"; Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, "If I Ain't Got You"; Best R&B Performance Duo or Group, "Diary" (With Tony Toni Tone) and Best R&B Performance Duo or Group, "My Boo" (With Usher). She received many awards and some of them are mentioned below:

• Grammy: Song of the Year, 2002
• Grammy: Best R&B Song, Fallin', 2001
• Grammy: Best R&B Album, Songs in a Minor, 2001
• Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Fallin', 2001
• Grammy: Best New Artist, 2002
• People Magazine: Breakthrough Stars, 2001
• People Magazine: 50 Most Beautiful People, 2002
• MTV: Best R&B Video, If I Ain't Got You, 2004

Alicia has recently tried her hand at acting with being cast in the movie, With All Deliberate Speed (2004).