Alicia Keys (born Alicia Augello-Cook; January 25, 1981) is an American Soul/r&b singer-songwriter, composer, record producer, pianist, cellist and actress. Keys is a renowned artist who has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won numerous awards, including twelve Grammys, seventeen Billboard Music Awards, and five American Music Awards. She grew up in Harlem, New York City, New York and started playing piano aged seven.