Alicia Augello Cook, better known as Alicia Keys, was born on January 25, 1981, in New York. Daughter of Teresa Augello and Craik Cook, Alicia began piano lessons at age 7, at age 14, she began composing and two years later, she graduated as valedictorian from the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan.

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In 1998, she signed a deal with Clive Davis, the head of Arista Records. But, in 2000, Davis left Arista to start J Records and Keys followed.

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Between 2001 and 2020, Alicia made 7 studio albums, entitled Songs In A Minor, The Diary Of Alicia Keys, As I Am, The Element Of Freedom, Girl On Fire, HERE and ALICIA, and 2 live albums, Unplugged and VH1 Storytellers (see about Alicia's albums in the topic "Albums"). All of the albums earned her many awards, including 15 grammys (see the awards that Keys won for her albums in the topic "Awards").

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In 2003, Alicia became a co-founder of Keep a Child Alive (KCA), helping children and young people to have the capacity and opportunities necessary to reach their maximum potential and live a healthier and happier life. Currently, KCA provides financial and programmatic support to 9 community organizations in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and India, serving more than 150,000 people each year (learn more about KCA in the topic "Projects").

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Keys is also one of the founders of the She Is The Music project (founded in 2018), which seeks to create real opportunities and a talent channel for women in the music industry, supporting the work of songwriters, musicians, engineers and producers (learn more about She Is The Music in the topic "Projects").

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In addition, in 2020, Alicia has launched a $1 billion endowment fund to support Black businesses and help communities affected by the global coronavirus pandemic and recent protests.

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In 2010, Alicia married Swizz Beatz, with whom she has a marital relationship until today. In the same year, on October 14, they had their first son Egypt Daoud Dean, now 10 years old. After 4 years, on December 27, the couple has their second son Genesis Ali Dean, now 6 years old.

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During her 40 years, Alicia has also acted in films such as Smokin 'Aces, The Nanny Diaries and The Secret Life of Bees. In addition to the films, she participated in the television shows The Cosby Show, Charmed, American Dreams, The Proud Family, Sesame Street, The Backyardigans, Cane, Elmo's Christmas Countdown, Dove "Fresh Takes", American Idol, Empire and The Voice.

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In 2020, Alicia released her book More Myself: a Journey, in which she recounts her personal and professional trajectory, her insecurities and certainties, her mistakes and successes, her weaknesses and her strengths. In the same year, the artist launched her Keys Soulcare line of care, which seeks to encourage self-care, both external, with skin products, and internal, with tips for a lighter and happier life (learn more about Keys Soulcare in the topic “Keys Soulcare” in "Store").

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Currently Keys is very involved with her line of care, with her music, with her fans and with her family.