Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter. A classically-trained pianist, Keys began composing songs by age 12 and was signed at 15 years old by Columbia Records. After disputes with the label, she signed with Arista Records, and later released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, with J Records in 2001. The album was critically and commercially successful, producing her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Fallin'" and selling over 16 million copies worldwide. The album earned Keys five Grammy Awards in 2002. Her second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), was also a critical and commercial success, spawning successful singles "You Don't Know My Name", "If I Ain't Got You", and "Diary", and selling eight million copies worldwide.[1] The album garnered her an additional four Grammy Awards.[2] Her duet "My Boo" with Usher became her second number-one single in 2004. Keys released her first live album, Unplugged (2005), and became the first woman to have an MTV Unplugged album debut at number one.
Keys has been praised for her expressive vocals and emotive delivery. In a review of Songs in A Minor, Jam! complimented her "crooning" and "warm" vocals as well as her belting "gospel-style".[238] CMJ New Music Monthly commended her "deep soulful voice and heartfelt delivery" of her songs.[253] Q magazine compared her vocal talent to Mary J Blige's and acknowledged her "sincerity" as "another plus" to her musical instincts.[254] PopMatters noted her "deep purple vocals" and considered that Keys is "less concerned about technical proficiency" and more interested in "rendering musical moments as authentic and visceral as possible".[42] The Guardian wrote that Keys "sings with devastating allure".[6] Reviewing a live performance, the Los Angeles Times wrote that Keys has a "commanding voice" and the "style and vision to convey the character and detail of the songs", and praised "the range and taste of her musical instincts".[46] NPR described her voice as "yearning and ready to break, even as it remains in control", considering it one of the elements integral to her music.[40] Rolling Stone wrote that her "dynamic" vocal tone extends "from a soft croon to a raspy, full-throated roar".[255] Keys has a three octave contralto vocal range.[252][256]
Keys has cited several artists as her inspirations, including Whitney Houston, John Lennon, Sade, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Carole King, Prince, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Barbra Streisand, and Stevie Wonder.[260] An accomplished classical pianist, Keys incorporates piano into a majority of her songs.[6][39] Keys was described by New York Daily News as "one of the most versatile musicians of her generation".[74] Keys' music is influenced by vintage soul music rooted in gospel,[261] while she heavily incorporates classical piano with R&B, jazz, blues and hip hop into her music.[Keys has be
Keys has been praised for her expressive vocals and emotive delivery. In a review of Songs in A Minor, Jam! complimented her "crooning" and "warm" vocals as well as her belting "gospel-style".[238] CMJ New Music Monthly commended her "deep soulful voice and heartfelt delivery" of her songs.[253] Q magazine compared her vocal talent to Mary J Blige's and acknowledged her "sincerity" as "another plus" to her musical instincts.[254] PopMatters noted her "deep purple vocals" and considered that Keys is "less concerned about technical proficiency" and more interested in "rendering musical moments as authentic and visceral as possible".[42] The Guardian wrote that Keys "sings with devastating allure".[6] Reviewing a live performance, the Los Angeles Times wrote that Keys has a "commanding voice" and the "style and vision to convey the character and detail of the songs", and praised "the range and taste of her musical instincts".[46] NPR described her voice as "yearning and ready to break, even as it remains in control", considering it one of the elements integral to her music.[40] Rolling Stone wrote that her "dynamic" vocal tone extends "from a soft croon to a raspy, full-throated roar".[255] Keys has a three octave contralto vocal range.[252][256]
Keys has cited several artists as her inspirations, including Whitney Houston, John Lennon, Sade, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Carole King, Prince, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Barbra Streisand, and Stevie Wonder.[260] An accomplished classical pianist, Keys incorporates piano into a majority of her songs.[6][39] Keys was described by New York Daily News as "one of the most versatile musicians of her generation".[74] Keys' music is influenced by vintage soul music rooted in gospel,[261] while she heavily incorporates classical piano with R&B, jazz, blues and hip hop into her music.[Keys has be
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