Alicia Keys

The Alicia Keys that we love and adore today was born Alicia J. Augello-Cook on January 25, 1981 in New York City, New York. Keys’ mother Teresa Augello who is of Irish and Italian heritage worked as a paralegal and an actress. While, Keys’ father Craig Cook, who is of Jamaican descent, was a flight attendant. Keys’ parents separated when she was just two years old.

Teresa Augello raised Alicia on her own in New York City’s infamous Hell’s Kitchen; an area of New York City with a rough and gritty reputation. Keys would pick up the piano at a young age. She started her classical training at the age of seven studying the works of Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven.

After only 3 years of high school, Keys graduated from the Professional Performing Arts School at the age of 16. Keys was nominated as Valedictorian of her graduating class.

Following high school, Keys made the decision to drop out of Columbia University to pursue her dream of a career in music. Initially, Alicia originally chose “Wild” as her stage name, but changed it to “Keys” at the suggestion of her manager Jeff Robinson.