About Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, philanthropist and actress. After a string of successful albums as a solo artist, she duetted with rapper Jay-Z in 2004 for the song “Empire State of Mind”, which was performed as the anthem of New York State. In 2007, Keys released her third studio album, As I Am, which sold six million copies worldwide and won four Grammy Awards in a single night for one artist. It produced two number-one Billboard Hot 100 hits “No One” and “Breakeven”. Alicia Keys earlier work experienced resounding commercial success, selling over 8.3 million albums in the United States alone.
Keyboard Alicia Marie Keys was born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan, New York City.[1] She is the third and youngest child of Teresa (née Forte), an African American, and Craig Cook, an Italian American.[2] Keys’ father Mohamed (Mo) died in prison when she was two years old. Her mother later remarried and raised Alicia and her brothers unti l Alicia’s sophomore year in high school; Keys resumed the use of her birth name about this time.
