Rounding up a year of Homegirls that represent the true meaning of excellence is songstress/pianist Alicia Keys. Alicia began classical piano training at the ripe old age of seven. She studied the works of the great composers Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart. She went on to study at the Professional Performing Arts School and graduated Valedictorian of her class at 16! Alicia began her musical journey in 1997 by getting discovered and landing a contract with Columbia records. She ultimately left the company citing creative differences and soon landed a deal with Clive Davis' newly formed J Records.
She released a few singles off the Men In Black and Dr. Doolittle soundtracks respectively. It wasn't until the single Falling released from her first album Songs in A Minor that Alicia caught the eyes and ears of the world. Songs spurred the aforementioned hit along with A Woman's Worth and the Prince B-Side remake of How Come You Don't Call Me. Alicia released The Diary of Alicia Keys which birthed the hits You Don't Know My Name, Karma and If I Ain't Got You. She released a live CD of unplugged versions of her songs along with the original Unbreakable. She took a short hiatus to appear in the movies Smokin' Aces and The Nanny Diaries. She then went on to release As I Am which brought us the undeniable jam No One and Like You'll Never See Me Again. She just recently released The Element of Freedom which features the sure to be hit Doesn't Mean Anything. Alicia also laid the hook for Jay-Z's Blueprint 3, New York anthem Empire State of Mind (which is reworked by Alicia on TEOF).
Alicia has won 11 Grammy's and earned the distinction as being only one of two women (the first was Lauryn Hill) to win 5 of the awards in one night. She accomplished this feat at the 2002 Grammy awards show. Alicia is the co-founder for Keep A Child Alive which is a non-profit that provides medical care to families with HIV and AIDS in Africa. She is a benefactor to the Frum Tha Ground Up organization, another non-profit that assists teenagers with scholarships. Alicia has performed at many benefit concerts in support of AIDS research. She has performed along side artists such as Bono, Joss Stone, and Keith Urban. Alicia even recorded a song for President Obama's (then Senator Obama's) presidential campaign.
Alicia is a force to be reckoned with and an admirable example for young women everywhere. Her tireless dedication to her craft and philanthropy represent the pinnacle of excellence. If you ever get a chance to see her perform live in concert, please go see her. She has a dynamic show!
Alicia, Life Inside My Head salutes you!
For more info on Alicia, click here.
I now leave you with a Christmas performance by the woman herself...Merry Christmas to all of you and congratulations once again to Ms. Keys!
4 comments:
Ooh, you got me! LOL. You knew all along I had guessed wrong. Too funny...
Yes I too believe Ms. Keys is a force in the music industry. And since she is obviously in love during the making of this album I think it's fair to say that her current will be one of her greater efforts.
I didn't know she had studied music so extensively. Very impressive.
Lol...I twisted and turned on this one because she was a frontrunner for the "Year" award...
Alicia is killin' em but I just like her swag, she just seems like you could just hang out with her.
I really love her philanthropy work. I think it's amazing that she dedicates the time and effort to others like she does. I'm lovin her new disc. Swizz beats must be doing something right...: )
Swizz Beats is definitely loving him some Alicia Keys right about now.
She's certainly a beautiful homewrecker!!!
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