Alicia Keys began singing at the age of five and started lessons on the piano by the age of seven. By the time she was 14, she was writing her own music, much of which would end up propelling her to stardom. Keys began studying classical music and older jazz while still using bits of 
pieces of today’s R&B and hip hop to create a sound all her own. Keys was enrolled in Manhattan's Professional Performance Arts School and briefly attended Columbia University before devoting all her time to her music. Keys has made numerous appearances on MTV and BET while spending a lot of time in the spotlight.
Her debut album in 2001 sent her to a level of stardom and at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards, she walked away with seven awards including Female Artist of the Year. She has also won American Music Awards and has done work for movie soundtracks including “Men In Black” and “Shaft.”
Alicia Keys this weekend at Houston's Rodeo.