Alicia Keys by: Ailea Daddairo

Biography:• An American R&B Singer-Song

Writer, pianist extraordinaire, producer, author, award

winner and actress

• Alicia Keys is her stage name, her Birth name is Alicia

Augello Cook

• Born January 25, 1981

Musical Influences:Many Genres

• Frederic Chopin• Leontyne Price• Stevie Wonder• Marvin Gaye• Tupac Shakur

Early Life:

• Alicia was raised by a single mother in

Manhattan, New York• She began playing the

piano at age seven and learned classical music by

composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and

Chopin• Keys was enrolled in a

Professional Performing Arts school at the age of 12

years old • She majored in Choir and

began writing songs at the age 14

• Graduated at age 16 as the valedictorian

Beginning of Career:

• Alicia Keys was founded by her long time manager Jeff Robinson in 1994 and was eventually signed to Columbia Records

• Alicia Keys released her first studio album, “Songs in A minor” in June 2001

• The album sold over 10 million copies worldwide and led Key’s to win five awards

at the 2001 Grammys

Albums

As I Am

The Element

of FreedomThe diary

of Alicia Keys

Songs in A minor

December 2003

November 2007 Decemb

er 2009June 2001

Alicia KeysAccomplishments and

Successes

Twelve Grammy Awards

Three BET

Awards

Eleven Billboard Awards

Three MTV Video Music Awards

Composition History

• These songs came from the Album “As I Am”

released in 2007People involved:

Alicia KeysJack SplashJohn Mayer

Manny Marroquin Recorded at Glenwood

Studios in L.A. and Oven Studios in New York

Alicia Keys: Vocals, Background vocals,

Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, Harpsichord,

Wurlitzer organ, Bass Synthesizer, Moog

Synthesizer.Jack Splash: was various

instruments and programming

Manny Marroquin: Audio Mixer

“Teenage love Affair”& “Superwoman”

Composition History

“Teenage love Affair”

This song was influence by a sample from “(Girl) I love you” which is a 1972 track by the Soul trio The Temprees.

“Superwoman”This song to me is very inspiring and motivational to all women around the world. Alicia Keys says that this song is a reminder to herself, that “even when I'm out, and I'm just a mess, and I'm not perfect, and everything's not great, and I'm struggling to figure out what is what, I'm still a superwoman."

Composition History

“Empire State of Mind”(Part II) Broke

Down”&

“Distance and time”

• These songs were released in 2009 in the her latest album “Element of Freedom”

• Recording information: Conway Studios, LA; Oven Studios, New York; Strawberrybee

Studios, New York• People Involved: Alicia Keys, Jay Z and Beyonce

Composition History

“Empire State of Mind”(Part II) Broke

Down”

• This song was influenced by Alicia

Keys hometown anthem

• Alicia says, "It's just exciting to be able

to put together a song about the city I was

born and raised in and then to be able to

make it an anthem the world can feel.

“Distance and time” This song is simple love song influenced by two

lovers seperated by Distance and Time

Listening Guide:

“Superwoman” (4:34

0:00- Introduction0:25-Verse I1:11 – Chorus 1:36 – Verse II 2:10 – Chorus 2:34 – Bridge3:04 – Chorus3:58 – Coda 4:34 – End

Listening Guide:

“Empire State of Mind”(Part II) Broke Down: (3:360:00- Introduction0:22-Verse I1:08 – Chorus 1:35 – Verse II 2:20 – Chorus 2:46 – Bridge3:01 – Chorus3:36 – End

Listening Guide:

“Distance and Time”: (4:27)

0:00- Introduction0:29-Verse I1:17 – Chorus 1:58 – Verse II 2:48 – Chorus 3:41 – Chorus add on4:10 – Coda4:27 – End

Listening Guide:

“Teenage Love Affair”: (3:10)

0:00- Introduction0:02-Verse I0:33 – Chorus 0:56 – Verse II 1:27 – Chorus 1:51 – Bridge2:21 – Chorus2:45 – Chorus add on3:10- End

Bibliography:

Alicia Keys Official Site: http://www.aliciakeys.com/us/alicia-keys-biographyhttp://www.songfacts.comhttp://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7532702http://www.rhapsody.com