Alicia Keys
"A Minor is one of
my all-time favorite keys to play in. It's a very moody key,
and also
'A' is the first letter of my name. It just represents the
songs through my eyes."
-Alicia Keys, on the title
of her debut album
Since the tender age of 5, Alicia Keys has
proven herself a true musical prodigy. Born and raised in
Manhattan, New York, a great deal of her upbringing was devoted
to music and her aspirations to succeed as a performer. Piano
lessons beginning at such an early age allowed Alicia to blossom
into the exceptionally talented pianist she is today.
She credits much of her success to her mother's insistence
on her continuing with the lessons, and ultimately growing
as an artist. Her ultra-supportive mother advised her that
piano playing was the one thing in life that she would not
allow her daughter to give up on. While many children may
consider this to be a form of punishment, Alicia thought otherwise.
Piano playing proved to become one of her true passions in
life and she pursued it.
Alicia eventually enrolled in the Professional
Performance Arts School of Manhattan and chose to major in
choir. An all-around outstanding student, her musical talents
grew to an even higher level under the guidance of one of
her instructors. This instructor helped to train her voice,
enabling Alicia to further grow as a multi-talented musician.
At the age of 16, Alicia's outstanding academic grades allowed
her to finish high school early. Columbia University accepted
her immediately thereafter, but she was intent on pursuing
her love of music instead.
In 1998, major record labels began discovering her, which
resulted in old-fashioned bidding wars in her honor. She eventually
signed with Arista Records. At this point, she continued the
process of writing, producing and recording the debut that
she'd been working on since the age of 14.
In late 1999, Alicia decided to join Clive
Davis and his newfound record label, J Records. Davis has
supported and groomed many high-profile artists in the past,
including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Santana. Keys
saw this as an opportunity to grow and Davis, being the legendary
record mogul that he is, has been relentlessly hyping the
piano-playing prodigy ever since. Alicia's debut album, Songs
in A Minor entered the Billboard album charts at #1. The album
includes the hit single "Fallin," along with collaborations
from other high-profile artists, including Jermaine Dupri
and Isaac Hayes.
The near future looks to be very promising for this hot, young,
musical talent.
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