Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys Headshot

Singer • Songwriter • Pianist

Birth Date: January 25, 1981

Age: 43 years old

Birth Place: Hell's Kitchen, New York City, New York

Spouses: Swizz Beatz

One of the most respected R&B musicians of her generation, Alicia Keys first grabbed the attention of audiences with the release of her acclaimed 2001 debut album Songs in A Minor. Born and raised in the New York neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen, Keys began studying classical piano at age seven using the Suzuki method, which could sometimes find her practicing up to six hours a day. Though Keys sometimes struggled with the conditions of what was often a difficult neighborhood, she would find a tremendous source of expression in music, writing her first song to help cope with the death of her grandfather at age 13. It was around this same time, while Keys was regularly performing with other teens at local musical events, that she was discovered by manager Jeff Robinson, who allowed the young musician to shadow him throughout his business dealings with artists, lawyers, and executives to give her insight into the workings of the music industry. At 15, Keys signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, which paired her with producers to work on shaping her material as well as her image, but Keys butted heads with most of the musical directives she was given. After purchasing her own recording equipment-which she used to record her songs herself in her Harlem apartment-Keys eventually negotiated out of her contract with Columbia, taking her recordings to Arista Records. There, she eventually released her landmark debut, immediately impressing critics and R&B fans alike with her deft musicality and complex lyrics. She released The Diary of Alicia Keys in 2003 before trying her hand at acting, appearing in the ensemble action film "Smokin' Aces" (2006). Keys released another album, 2007's As I Am, before appearing in "The Nanny Diaries" (2007) and "The Secret Life of Bees" (2008). In 2009, she released The Element of Freedom in addition to appearing as a featured vocalist on the hit Jay-Z track "Empire State of Mind." Though she would take a two-year break following the 2010 birth of her son with her husband, musician Swizz Beats, Keys returned in 2012 with the highly acclaimed album Girl on Fire. She gave birth to a daughter in 2014 before becoming an extremely popular coach on the hit competitive singing show "The Voice" (NBC, 2011-) in 2016, the same year she released the critically lauded album Here. Ever expanding her purview, Keys began executive producing the Viceland docu-series "Hustle" (Viceland, 2019) in 2019.

Credits

Live in LA - Alicia Keys

Music Performer
Show
2023

Elmo's Holiday Spectacular: The Nutcracker and Other Tales

Self
Show
2023

Alicia Keys - Buổi diễn tại LA

Self
Show
2023

Alicia Keys at the BBC

Music Performer
Show
2023

Live Concert : Alicia Keys

Music Performer
Show
2023

Alicia Keys' Birthday Beats

Self
Show
2023

Ukraine: Answering the Call

Self
Special
2022

Party at the Palace

Music Performer
Special
2022

Clive Davis: Most Iconic Performances

Guest
Docuseries
2022

Clive Davis: Most Iconic Performances

Self
Docuseries
2022

Retro: Women In Music

Music Performer
Show
2022

Vibe: R&B Queens

Music Performer
Show
2022

Fivio Foreign, Kanye West & Alicia Keys: City of Gods

Music Performer
Show
2022

Vibe: 2000's Rap Hits

Music Performer
Show
2022

Alicia Keys Live in LA

Music Performer
Show
2021

iHeartRadio Album Release Party With Alicia Keys

Self
Show
2021

Noted: Alicia Keys the Untold Stories

Self
Show
2021

Alicia Keys: Live in LA 2020

Music Performer
Show
2021

2021 Billboard Music Awards

Self
Show
2021

2021 Billboard Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2021

How It Feels To Be Free

Self
Show
2021

The Verizon Big Concert for Small Business

Music Performer
Show
2021

Rock Hall of Fame

Music Performer
Show
2021

Juicebox: Girls Can

Music Performer
Show
2021

Retro: Iconic Women

Music Performer
Show
2021

Alicia Keys: Underdog (Nicky Jam & Rauw Alejandro Remix)

Music Performer
Show
2021

Alicia Keys feat. Swae Lee: LALA (Unlocked)

Music Performer
Show
2021

LL Cool J & Jay Z

Music Performer
Show
2021

Hits!: Top 00s Love Songs

Music Performer
Show
2021

Alicia Keys Feat. Khalid & Lucky Daye: Come For Me (Unlocked)

Music Performer
Show
2021

Alicia Keys: Old Memories (Originals)

Music Performer
Show
2021

Alicia Keys: Only You (Originals)

Music Performer
Show
2021

Essentials: Jay-Z

Music Performer
Show
2021

Perfect Together: Greatest Duets

Music Performer
Show
2021

Alicia Keys: Best Of Me (Originals)

Music Performer
Show
2021

Resort to LoveStream

Producer
Movie
2021
61%

Mary J Blige's My Life

Self
Movie
2021

A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon ParksStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2021
88%

Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me OverStream

Self
Movie
2021
91%

Alicia Keys Rocks New Year's Eve

Actor
Show
2020

Alicia Keys Rocks New Year's Eve

Music Performer
Show
2020

Baloise Session

Music Performer
Show
2020

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions

Guest
Show
2020

Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy

Host
Show
2020

Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy

Music Performer
Show
2020

2020 Billboard Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2020

iHeartRadio Music Festival Night 1

Music Performer
Show
2020

Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special

Host
Show
2020

The BET Awards 2020

Music Performer
Show
2020

Coronavirus: Facts and Fears: A CNN Global Town Hall

Guest
Show
2020

Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince

Music Performer
Show
2020

One World: Together at Home

Actor
Show
2020

Oprah and Alicia Keys: The Interview

Guest
Show
2020

#KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall

Music Performer
Show
2020

FOX Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America

Music Performer
Show
2020

The 2020 62nd Annual Grammy Awards

Host
Show
2020

The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards

Host
Show
2020

Alicia Keys: Underdog

Music Performer
Show
2020

Guest VJ: Mahalia

Music Performer
Show
2020

Retro: '00s #1 Hits

Music Performer
Show
2020

Hit List: May 2020

Music Performer
Show
2020

Alicia Keys: Perfect Way to Die

Music Performer
Show
2020

Vibe: Old School Back to School

Music Performer
Show
2020

Alicia Keys Feat. Khalid: So Done

Music Performer
Show
2020

Alicia Keys: Love Looks Better

Music Performer
Show
2020

Best of 2020: Hip-Hop/R&B

Music Performer
Show
2020

Retro: Vintage Valentine

Music Performer
Show
2020

Guest Curator: Shawn Mendes

Music Performer
Show
2020

Work It

Producer
Movie
2020

Alicia Keys: Time Machine

Music Performer
Show
2019

The 2019 Global Citizen Festival: A Concert to End Extreme Poverty

Music Performer
Show
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

World Beaters

Host
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys: If I Ain't Got You

Director
Show
2019

Alicia Keys: If I Ain't Got You

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys: Songs I Wish I Wrote (LIVE at the 61st GRAMMYs)

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys: Live at Baloise Session

Music Performer
Show
2019

iHeartRadio Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2019

Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul

Music Performer
Special
2019

Desus & Mero

Guest
Show
2019

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards

Host
Show
2019

HUSTLE

Executive Producer
Show
2019

Record Breakers

Music Performer
Show
2019

Award Announcers

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys: Raise a Man

Music Performer
Show
2019

Woodstock HipHop

Music Performer
Show
2019

The Blueprint

Music Performer
Show
2019

Pedro Capó, Alicia Keys & Farruko: Calma (Alicia Remix)

Music Performer
Show
2019

The Blueprint 3

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys Feat. Miguel: Show Me Love

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys Feat. 21 Savage & Miguel: Show Me Love

Music Performer
Show
2019

Vibe: R&B Essentials

Music Performer
Show
2019

Vibe: R&B Essentials Vol.II

Music Performer
Show
2019

A Decade of Hits: Vol.I

Music Performer
Show
2019

Alicia Keys: Show Me Love (Visual Sonic Experience)

Music Performer
Show
2019

Capital's Jingle Bell Ball

Music Performer
Show
2018

Today 3rd Hour

Music Performer
Show
2018

Alicia Keys at Baloise Session

Music Performer
Show
2018

Alicia Keys: If I Ain't Got You (Live from iTunes Festival, London, 2012)

Music Performer
Show
2018

Best of Jay-Z

Music Performer
Show
2018

Straight Outta NY

Music Performer
Show
2018

Swizzy vs Tim

Music Performer
Show
2018

Jessie Reyez's Picks

Music Performer
Show
2018

Best of Swizzy

Music Performer
Show
2018

20 Songs To Get You Through Thanksgiving

Music Performer
Show
2018

Best of Jay-Z

Music Performer
Show
2018

Alicia Keys - Unplugged

Music Performer
Show
2017

Alicia Keys: A Woman's Worth

Music Performer
Show
2017

Carpool Karaoke: The SeriesStream

Music Performer
Reality
2017

WE Day

Guest
Show
2017

Official No.1s! Best R'n'B Hits

Actor
Show
2017

The 59th Annual Grammy Awards

Music Performer
Show
2017

Alicia Keys -- Landmarks Live in Concert: A Great Performances Special

Music Performer
Show
2017

Alicia Keys: Illusion of Bliss (Jimmy Kimmel Live!)

Music Performer
Show
2017

Alicia Keys Feat. Young M.A.: Blended Family (What You Do for Love) (Live on Jimmy Fallon)

Music Performer
Show
2017

NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly

Music Performer
Show
2016

Breakthrough Prize

Music Performer
Show
2016

Taraji's White Hot Holidays

Music Performer
Special
2016

Masters at Work

Guest
Show
2016

10th Annual ACM Honors

Music Performer
Show
2016

Today's Take

Music Performer
Show
2016

Alicia Keys: In Common

Music Performer
Show
2016

Alicia Keys Feat. A$AP Rocky: Blended Family

Music Performer
Show
2016

Alicia Keys: The Gospel (Short Film)

Music Performer
Show
2016

Sinatra 100 -- An All-Star Grammy Concert

Music Performer
Show
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Music Performer
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Host
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Music Performer
Talk
2015

EmpireStream

Guest Star
Series
2015
84%

Empire Cast Feat. Jussie Smollett and Alicia Keys: Powerful

Music Performer
Show
2015

A MusiCares Tribute to Paul McCartney

Actor
Show
2014

Alicia Keys Feat. Kendrick Lamar: It's on Again (The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Official Video)

Music Performer
Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Music Performer
Talk
2014

The Beatles: The Night That Changed America - A Grammy Salute

Music Performer
Show
2014

Alicia Keys: We Are Here

Music Performer
Show
2014

Alicia Keys Feat. Kendrick Lamar: It's on Again

Music Performer
Show
2014

Time Is Illmatic

Actor
Movie
2014

2013 Global Citizen Festival: Live From Central Park

Actor
Show
2013

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

Radio 1 Live Lounge

Actor
Show
2013

We Have a Dream

Music Performer
Show
2013

Feel the Beat

Music Performer
Show
2013

Circus HalliGalli

Actor
Show
2013

A Message of Peace: The United Nations Day Concert 2012

Guest Star
Show
2013

Alicia Keys Feat. Nicki Minaj: Girl on Fire

Music Performer
Show
2013

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards

Music Performer
Show
2013

People's Choice Awards 2013

Music Performer
Show
2013

Alicia Keys: New Day

Music Performer
Show
2013

Alicia Keys: Tears Always Win

Music Performer
Show
2013

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and PeteStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2013
84%

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and PeteStream

Original Music
Movie
2013
84%

Muscle ShoalsStream

Self
Movie
2013
97%

12.12.12 The Concert for Sandy Relief

Music Performer
Show
2012

2012 MTV Europe Music Awards

Actor
Show
2012

Katie

Music Performer
Talk
2012

Stand Up to Cancer

Music Performer
Show
2012

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

The 2012 Billboard Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2012

Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars

Actor
Show
2012

The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet

Guest
Show
2012

Alicia Keys: Diary of Alicia

Actor
Show
2012

Person to Person

Guest
Show
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

Alicia Keys Feat. Maxwell: Fire We Make

Music Performer
Show
2012

Alicia Keys: Brand New Me

Music Performer
Show
2012

Alicia Keys: Girl on Fire

Music Performer
Show
2012

Alicia Keys Feat. Nicki Minaj: Girl On Fire

Music Performer
Show
2012

Alicia Keys: New Day (Viral Video)

Music Performer
Show
2012

Alicia Keys: Girl On Fire (Inferno Version)

Music Performer
Show
2012

Firelight

Executive Producer
Movie
2012

Keep a Child Alive With Alicia Keys

Actor
Show
2011

Super Soul SundayStream

Guest
Talk
2011

The X Factor

Music Performer
Reality
2011

The Jonathan Ross ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
2011

The BET Awards 2011

Actor
Show
2011

Feel the Beat

Music Performer
Show
2011

The VoiceStream

Guest
Reality
2011

The VoiceStream

Judge
Reality
2011

The VoiceStream

Music Performer
Reality
2011

Swizz Beatz Feat. Alicia Keys: International Party

Music Performer
Show
2011

Five

Director
Movie
2011

Lorraine

Guest
Show
2010

Radio 1s Big Weekend 2010

Actor
Show
2010

Jay Z Feat. Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind

Music Performer
Show
2010

Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind / You Don't Know my Name Medley (Live at NYU)

Music Performer
Show
2010

Alicia Keys: If I Ain't Got You (Live at NYU)

Music Performer
Show
2010

Alicia Keys: No One (Live at NYU)

Music Performer
Show
2010

Alicia Keys: Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart (Live at NYU)

Music Performer
Show
2010

Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Music Performer
Show
2009

2009 American Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2009

The Project

Guest
Show
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Music Performer
Talk
2009

RuPaul's Drag RaceStream

Guest
Series
2009

Alicia Keys: Un-Thinkable

Music Performer
Show
2009

Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind

Music Performer
Show
2009

Alicia Keys: Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

Music Performer
Show
2009

Alicia Keys: Unthinkable (I'm Ready)

Music Performer
Show
2009

Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind

Music Performer
Show
2009

Alejandro Sanz Feat. Alicia Keys: Looking for Paradise

Music Performer
Show
2009

2008 World Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2008

2008 American Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Music Performer
Talk
2008

America's Favorite Mom

Guest
Show
2008

Konzert der Baloise Session

Music Performer
Show
2008

The Secret Life of BeesStream

Actor
June Boatwright
Movie
2008
59%

Elmo's Christmas Countdown

Actor
Show
2007

My Night at the Grammys

Host
Show
2007

Alicia Keys: No One

Music Performer
Show
2007

Lyons & Bailes Reel Talk

Guest
Show
2007

Cane

Guest Star
Show
2007

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

Eve ft. Alicia Keys: Gangsta Lovin'

Music Performer
Show
2007

The Graham Norton ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
2007

Che tempo che fa

Actor
Show
2007

Alicia Keys: Teenage Love Affair

Music Performer
Show
2007

Alicia Keys: No One

Music Performer
Show
2007

Alicia Keys: Like You'll Never See Me Again

Music Performer
Show
2007

Alicia Keys: Superwoman

Music Performer
Show
2007

Smokin' Aces

Actor
Georgia Sykes
Movie
2007

The Nanny Diaries

Actor
Lynette
Movie
2007

Our World With Black Enterprise

Guest
Show
2006

The One Show

Actor
Show
2006

The One Show

Guest
Show
2006

etalk

Guest
Show
2006

Cham Feat. Alicia Keys: Ghetto Story Chapter 2

Music Performer
Show
2006

We Are Together

Actor
Movie
2006

The Colbert Report

Guest
Talk
2005

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Series
2005

The Tyra Show

Guest
Talk
2005

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
Show
2005

ET Canada

Guest
Show
2005

Dancing With the StarsStream

Music Performer
Reality
2005

Alicia Keys: Unbreakable

Music Performer
Show
2005

Alicia Keys: Unbreakable (MTV Unplugged)

Music Performer
Show
2005

Usher Part. Alicia Keys: My Boo

Music Performer
Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Usher Feat. Alicia Keys: My Boo

Music Performer
Show
2004

Usher Feat. Alicia Keys: My Boo

Music Performer
Show
2004

Alicia Keys Feat. Tony! Toni! Toné! & Jermaine Paul: Diary

Music Performer
Show
2004

Alicia Keys: You Don't Know My Name

Music Performer
Show
2003

Urban Style

Guest
Show
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Music Performer
Talk
2003

America's Next Top ModelStream

Guest
Reality
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Music Performer
Talk
2003

American Idol

Guest
Reality
2003
68%

American Idol

Music Performer
Reality
2003
68%

Alicia Keys: If I Ain't Got You

Music Performer
Show
2003

Alicia Keys: Karma

Music Performer
Show
2003

Alicia Keys: You Don't Know My Name

Music Performer
Show
2003

American Dreams

Guest Star
Series
2002
85%

Banzai

Guest Star
Show
2002

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

Guest
Show
2001

The Proud FamilyStream

Guest Voice
Herself
Series
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Music Performer
Show
2001

The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration

Music Performer
Show
2001

Alicia Keys: Fallin'

Music Performer
Show
2001

Alicia Keys: How Come You Don't Call Me

Music Performer
Show
2001

Alicia Keys: A Woman's Worth

Music Performer
Show
2001

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

Actor
Show
2000

The Early Show

Music Performer
Show
1999

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

The View

Music Performer
Talk
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Late Night With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Talk
1993

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

Late Show With David Letterman

Music Performer
Talk
1993

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Guest
Talk
1986

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
1986

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
News
1979

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Good Morning America

Music Performer
News
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Music Performer
Series
1975

Sesame StreetStream

Guest
Series
1969

Sesame StreetStream

Music Performer
Series
1969

Today

Guest
News
1952

Today

Music Performer
News
1952

News aboutAlicia Keys

Usher

Super Bowl 2024: Who Should Join Usher in the Halftime Show? (POLL)

Cole on Claim To Fame

‘Claim to Fame’: Alicia Keys’ Brother Cole Speaks Out After Revenge Elimination

The Voice Adam Gwen Pharrell Blake

Who’s the Most Successful Coach From ‘The Voice’? A Ranking

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 14 Cast, Season Trailer

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: J.Lo, Lizzo & More to Join Season 14 (VIDEO)

MTV VMAs 2021, Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Chloe Bailey

Justin Bieber, Foo Fighters & More Must-See MTV VMAs Performances (VIDEO)

REgular Heroes Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Announces ‘Regular Heroes’ Docuseries About Stories From the Frontlines of COVID-19

The Backstreet Boys iHeart Living Room Concert

12 ‘iHeart Living Room Concert for America’ Highlights (VIDEO)

Oprah Winfrey

OWN Launches #ALittleLight Initiative with Oprah & More Network Stars (VIDEO)

best lines feature image january 23-30

Best Lines of the Week (Jan. 23 – 30): ‘The Wave Returns to the Ocean’

62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards - Show

Grammys 2020: Alicia Keys & Boyz II Men Pay Tribute to Kobe Bryant (VIDEO)

114441_4741b

Grammy Awards 2019: How Did Alicia Keys Do as Host? (POLL)

Variety's Power Of Women: New York

Alicia Keys to Host the Grammy Awards 2019 on CBS — How Will She Do? (POLL)

Alicia Keys - The Voice - Season 12

Alicia Keys Returns for Season 14 of ‘The Voice’

The Voice - gwen stefani, cover story
Exclusive

‘The Voice’ Coaches on Their Soaring Season 12: ‘They’re Killing Right Now!’

Pictured: (l-r) Adam Levine, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton; “The Voice” coaches “Feel the Love” as they prepare for the new season, premiering Monday, February 27.; The Voice” coaches
Exclusive

‘The Voice’ Coaches Really Love…the ’90s?! (VIDEO)

JIMMY FALLON - TVGM

NBC Announces Jimmy Fallon as Golden Globe Host, Adds Olympic Previews of ‘Superstore’ and ‘The Voice’

TV Tattle

Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys Join ‘The Voice’ as Coaches on Season 11

Jussie Smollett

‘Empire’ Sex Scandal: Lee Daniels and Jussie Smollett Defend That Shocking Hook-Up

Alicia Keys performs onstage during the 2015 BET Awards

Alicia Keys, John Legend and List of Star Performers Will Shine a Light on ‘Race in America’

Pit-Bull-Empire

Pitbull Is the Latest Star to Join ‘Empire’