Alicia Keys Biography

Fast Facts

• Made TV debut with a small role on a 1985 Cosby Show episode
• Wrote her first original song, "Butterflyz," at age 14
• The song later appeared as a track on her debut album, Songs in A Minor
• Was her high school's valedictorian, graduating early at age 16
• Dropped out of college to pursue a music career
• In 2005, became the first female artist ever to debut an MTV Unplugged record at No
• 1 on the U
• S
• Billboard 200 chart
• Along with TV producer Leigh Blake, cofounded Keep a Child Alive in 2003
• The nonprofit organization provides care, medication and support to children and families affected by AIDS in Africa and India