Alicia Keys, Musician

As a singer, songwriter, record producer and actress, Alicia Keys has won numerous awards, sold over 35 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. Born in New York City in 1981, Keys began piano lessons at age seven. She attended Manhattan's prestigious Professional Performance Arts School where she excelled academically and graduated at the age of 16.

Upon graduating, she signed a record deal with Arista Records. When the head of the Arista Records, Clive Davis, left the company to start J Records, Keys followed him. Her 2001 debut album, Songs in a Minor sold over 12 million copies worldwide, went platinum five times over and earned her five Grammy Awards.

She became the best-selling new artist and best-selling R&B artist of 2001. Her follow-up albums The Diary of Alicia Keys and Girl on Fire won her artist Grammys. She not only sings, but also writes and produces her own music.

Outside of the music world, Keys has acted on television and in film. She is also the co-founder and Global Ambassador of Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit organization that provides medicine to families with HIV and AIDS in Africa. Keys is the mother of two sons.

Keys is currently a coach on Season 11 of NBC's The Voice.