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Since the age of 5, Alicia Keys has proven to be a
valid musical legend of the new age. Born and raised in Manhattan, New York, she devoted much of herself to
music and wanted to succeed as a performer. She began piano lessons at an early age which allowed her to grow
into the phenomenally talented pianist and performer she is today.
She gives her mother credit for her
musical success because her mother insisted that she continue practicing piano. Her mother supported her all of the way
and refused to let her daughter stop playing the piano. Alicia did not feel as though this was a chore or a punishment
and she was right to have such insight. Her the playing would be one of her greatest passions and talents in
life.
Alicia went to the Professional Performance Arts School of Manhattan where she studied choir. She was a marvelous student her musical talents blossomed even further with the
help of her teachers. Her voice training gave her the tools to grow into a multi-talented musician.
Because
of her exceptional grades both academically and musically, she was able to complete high school when she was 16.
Upon completing high school, she was accepted to Columbia University, but she planned to pursue her music career instead.
Around 1998, some major record labels started
to recognize her talent and began offering rcord deals. She chose to sign with Arista Records. The album
that she had been working on since the age of 14 would become her debut album.
In 1999, Alicia decided to join a new record label, J Records, owned by Clive Davis because he has helped refine many high-profile artists in the past, including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Santana. Alicia saw this as learning and growing opportunity. She has been with J Records ever since. Since then she has
spawned three multi-platinum albums: "Songs in A Minor," "Diary of Alicia Keys" and "Unplugged."
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