What does it mean to be the proprietor of your destiny? If you're a singer, songwriter, pianist extraordinaire, producer, author, news correspondent, award winner, philanthropist and actress like Alicia Keys, it's probably perceived as affluence. For Keys, prosperity isn't measured monetarily but through passion, self-fulfillment and life experiences. It's this philosophy that has made the songstress a master of endless promise and impressive achievements.

Born and bred in New York's Hell's Kitchen, Keys was strongly influenced by music from all different generations and disciplines including the essential music of Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder; classical compositions of Frédéric Chopin, Erik Satie, and Leontyne Price; and urban lyricists such as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and the Wu-Tang Clan. Since the age of seven, she received formal training in classical piano and jazz stylings of Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller, and Marian McPartland with her instructor Margaret Pine. However, it was not until Keys attended the Professional Performing Arts School under the tutelage of Miss Aziza, a bold pianist who wrote and composed original songs, that Keys was introduced to the art of songwriting and producing. Discovered by manager Jeff Robinson at a Harlem PAL when she was 14, Keys performed throughout the tri-state area, anywhere and everywhere she could from tiny clubs to street corners. Two years later, she received a scholarship for and briefly enrolled in Columbia University before leaving to pursue a music career.

Committed to excellence, Keys vowed that her new album As I Am will be like her previous masterpieces, a culmination of her world travels and personal experiences; and she certainly has delivered. "There's no formula to my music, it's just rooted in my heart and soul. Whether I talk about visiting the pyramids in Egypt, to witnessing the AIDS epidemic in Africa or matters of the heart everyone will be able to experience where I've been and where I am going in my life."

In true Alicia Keys fashion, As I Am raised the musical bar with stellar production by Keys, Linda Perry, Jack Splash, Mark Batson and Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Described by Alicia as a powerful combination of "Rock 'n Soul - Janis Joplin meets Aretha Franklin," As I Am became another milestone recording in the young entertainer's career with over 742,000 units sold during it's first week of release in November 2007. Her third studio album, As I Am spawned the hit single "No One" which won two Grammy Awards in 2008 for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Additionally, Keys received four awards at the 2008 NAACP Image Awards and was honored at the first annual BET Honors ceremony. Enjoying one of the most successful periods in her career with over 5 million copies of As I Am sold worldwide, Keys kicked off the As I Am Tour presented by Lexus in February 2008 with sold out shows for the both the European and US portions of the tour.

Throughout her career, Keys has earned numerous accolades. In addition to eleven Grammy Awards, she's nabbed eleven Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, three World Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, three MTV Europe Awards, two Nickelodeon Teen Choice Awards, two BET Awards, fourteen NAACP Image Awards, seven Soul Train Music Awards, two Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, one People's Choice Award, one My VH1 Award and more.

Undoubtedly, Alicia Keys is an evolving artist who has claimed ownership of her future. "My music allows me to speak freely," she says. "It doesn't have a beginning or ending because it's an integral part of my ongoing journey." As she progresses in her artistry and life, it's evident that Keys profoundly invests her attention and energy to every commitment she makes. Whether it's producing another platinum award-winning album or serving as an activist in the Motherland, our beloved soul maven is a creative force and will forever be the consummate musician, actress, entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist.