- Born
- Birth nameAlicia J. Augello-Cook
- Nickname
- Lellow
- Height1.66 m
- Alicia Keys was born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, to Terria Joseph (née Teresa M. Augello), a paralegal who was also an occasional actress, and Craig Cook, a flight attendant. Her father is African-American and her mother, who is Caucasian, is of Italian and English/Irish/Scottish ancestry. Alicia began taking piano lessons at age 7 at her mother's insistence. She proved to be such a prodigy that she was later accepted into the prestigious Professional Performance Arts School of Manhattan, where she majored in choir. Not only her musical talent but also her grades proved to be so exceptional that she was allowed to graduate, as valedictorian, at age 16. In 1998, she signed with Arista Records, and wrote, produced, and recorded her own albums. In 1999, she left Arista to join J Records, headed by legendary music impresario Clive Davis, and her success has been meteoric. Her 2001 debut album, "Songs in A Minor," sold 6 million copies and garnered five Grammys. Her album "Diary" won her four more Grammys in 2005.- IMDb mini biography by: frankfob2@yahoo.com
- SpouseSwizz Beatz(July 31, 2010 - present) (2 children)
- ChildrenEgypt Daoud DeanGenesis Ali Dean
- ParentsCraig Cook
- RelativesCole Cook(Sibling)
- Soulful voice
- She was accepted by Columbia University at age 16, but dropped out to pursue her music career.
- Her son Egypt has been called a musical prodigy. At 5 years old he co-produced several tracks for Kendrick Lamar's album Untitled Unmastered, notably "Untitled 07".
- She wrote her first song at the age of 14.
- On July 31, 2010, she married her boyfriend of 14 months, Swizz Beatz, in a small ceremony on the French island of Corsica following a two-month engagement.
- She ties with Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill for the most Grammys (five) won by a woman in a single year.
- [on the use of women, sex and sleaze in rap/hip-hop videos] Oh my God, the [hip-hop] videos! The imagery is so awful! I just can't get with it at all. The best thing I can say about it is that sometimes you have to see that kind of stuff so as to have a more balanced view about why it's so bad.
- I always want to stay focused on who I am, even as I'm discovering who I am.
- Keep a Child Alive is my passion and my mission.
- I love Bono. I really respect what he has done for Africa and how he has used his fame to do good in the world. I hope I can do half as much in my life.
- I believe AIDS is the most important issue we face, because how we treat the poor is a reflection of who we are as a people.
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