Alicia Keys

Today I will be doing a biography about someone who inspires me, which would be Alicia Keys. Her birth name is Alicia Augello Cook. Alicia Keys was born on January 25, 1981. She was also born and raised in Hell's Kitchen, New York. She has one sibling, who is Cole Cook. Her parents are Terria Joseph and Craig Cook. Alicia Keys is married to a well-known artist, Swiss Beatz, but his birth name is Kasseem Dean. Alicia Keys has five children; three not biologically hers. Her two boys are Egypt Daoud Dean, born in October 2010; and Genesis Ali Dean, born December 2014. Her step-children are Nicole Dean, born May 2008; Prince Nasir Dean, born October of 2000; and Kassem Dean jr. 

Alicia Keys has made music about a couple of her children, such as “Raise a Man” and “Blended Family.” She has a total of 15 Grammys, which is more than Nicki Minaj. Alicia's biggest hits were "No One" and "Fallen." Alicia Keys says she loves music and it is her passion. She has also stated that she's been playing the piano since she was 7. She says that music is like piano keys and it can open so many doors. Alicia's Keys main goal is to influence young minds also and for them to be helpful souls, and to help others become role models in society. Alicia Keys' album "Sing in a Mirror" sold over 12 million copies. In just 2002 that very same album earned her 5 Grammys. Her second album, "The Diary of Alicia Keys," was released in 2003, and she sold over 8 million copies. Plus in 2005 the album earned her 4 more Grammys.

Alicia Keys has also started a foundation for children in Africa. It's called Keep a Child Alive, which is for children with AIDS. She also was caring for the children in Africa for her organization. She has helped raise more than 2 million dollars. She has even hosted a black ball to help raise money for the children in Africa. Alicia has said that she had seen how the little kids were affected. That it wasn't fair to the newborn babies who were affected by it because of their parents having it. She has also said that people were complaining about it but doing nothing. So Alicia decided something needed to be done about it. So that's when she had the idea of creating an organization for children with AIDS.

The main reason I fell in love with Alicia Keys is that she keeps it real with everyone and doesn't care what others think of her. As a matter of fact, in 2016 Keys decided to stop wearing make-up when she had her photoshoot for her album "here." She was wearing a scarf under her baseball cap and the photographer wanted to shoot her like that. She didn't put any make-up on. Alicia Keys made a comment about how she wanted to share her true self with the world. She inspires young women around the world. For a 39-year-old woman to just stop wearing make-up, especially since she was attached to it for so long, it's quite amazing. She inspires young women and young men all around the world.