NYC Songstress Alica Keys Branches Out With Rap Nods
The 53rd annual GRAMMY nominees have recently been announced in preparation for the big night which takes place on Sunday, Feb. 13. One nominee, Alicia Keys, the soulful beauty that hails from right here in New York City, continues to prove that she has nearly limitless talent to offer to the music industry.
The songstress is nominated with Jay-Z for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song for what has become an unofficial New York anthem, Empire State Of Mind. The 31-year-old beauty has won a total of 12 Grammys since her debut in 2001 when she released her first major album, Songs In A Minor.
Keys was raised by a single-mother in the city of Manhattan - in a neighborhood known as Hells Kitchen. At the age of seven, she began taking piano lessons, which would later set her apart from other female singers as she broke into the competitive music industry.
While growing up she attended the acclaimed Professional Performance Arts School of Manhattan - where she excelled as a performer of the arts and eventually graduated as Valedictorian at the mere age of 16. After attending New York City's elite Columbia University for a short while, Keys dropped out to pursue a career in music.
After leaving the label, J Records, she eventually teamed up with industry legend Clive Davis and released her debut album, Songs in A Minor. The album set a record when Keys tied with Lauryn Hill, The Dixie Chicks, Amy Winehouse, and Norah Jones for most GRAMMYs won by a female artist in a single night; with a total of 5. Three years later in 2005, she went on to win another four GRAMMYs for her multi-platinum album, Diary.
Keys recently gave birth to her first child and son, Egypt Daoud Dean, with fellow GRAMMY nominee and husband, Swizz Beats.
Her latest nominations for the Hip-Hop themed song , Empire State Of Mind, has proven that Miss Keys can branch out from behind her piano and stand on her own two feet.
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