Alicia Keys

Accepted by Columbia University at age 16, but dropped out to pursue her music career.

Named one of People Magazines "Breakthrough Stars of 2001".

Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002.

Appeared on the covers of Vibe, Vanity Fair, SevenTeen, and Teen magazines.

Began to play the piano at age 7.

Lives in New York City.

Was the first artist to sign with J Records.

Wrote her first song at the age of 14.

Alicias father is African-American. Alicias mother is caucasian. Alicias maternal grandfather was of Italian descent, and Alicias maternal grandmother had English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry.

Graduated a performing arts high school at age 16.

Is a honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Before coming up with the last name Keys, she had at one point considered calling herself Alicia Wild.

Won the award for Best RnB at the 2004 Mtv Europe Music Awards.

Wrote and produced "Impossible", one of the songs on Christina Aguilera s album, "Stripped".

Says the child she has met that inspired her most is 13-year-old Sydnee Bush, of Savannah, Georgia (as of 2005).

Has been friends with R&B superstar Usher Raymond since she was 14.

Has known R&B superstar Beyonc since she was 13.

Ranked as #95 in FHMs "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement.

An only child.

Named #65 in FHM magazines "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement..

Ranked #99 on VH1s 100 Sexiest Artists.

Her father, Craig Cook, left the family when she was two.

Ranked #77 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.

Ties with Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill for the most Grammys (5) won by a woman in a single year.

Good friends with singer John Mayer , and Mariah Carey.

Born at 3:30 AM.

(July 31, 2010) Married her boyfriend of 14 months Swizz Beatz in a small ceremony on the French island of Corsica following a 2-month-engagement.

Gave birth to her 1st child at age 29, a son named Egypt Daoud Dean on October 14, 2010. Childs father is her husband, Swizz Beatz.

Was 5 months pregnant with her son Egypt when she completed "The Freedom Tour", which began in Ottawa, Canada and ended in New Orleans.

Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 33, a son named Genesis Ali Dean on December 27, 2014. Childs father is her husband, Swizz Beatz.

Returned to work 8 months after giving birth to her son Egypt in order to perform in "The Piano & I Tour", which began in Paris and ended in New York City.

Returned to work 5 months after giving birth to her son Genesis to begin recording her 6th studio album.

For the occasion of her marriage to Swizz Beatz , Alicias wedding gown was designed by Vera Wang.

Can play the guitar.

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".

(May 2017) Merited a place in TIME magazines "The 100 Most Influential People" issue with an homage written by Kerry Washington.

Keep a Child Alive is my passion and my mission.

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.

I think music and socialism and politics have always gone hand in hand.

I love my heritage! I have my mother who is an Irish-Italian, and my,father who is African, so I have the taste buds of an Italian and the,spice of an African.

My mom is definitely my rock.

Soul music is timeless.

I grew up in the middle of everything. I walked the streets alone, I rode the trains alone, I came home at three in the morning alone; that was what I did.

If I want to be alone, some place I can write, I can read, I can pray, I can cry, I can do whatever I want - I go to the bathroom. .