Born in New York City on January 25, 1981, Alicia Keys is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She started creating songs when she was just 12 years old, but Columbia Records did not sign her until she was 15 years old, marking the official start of her music career.
Keys didn’t release any songs with the label, though, because he disagreed with them. She later signed a contract with Arista Records, who helped her release her debut album, “Songs in A Minor,” in 2001 on the subsidiary label J Records.
Alicia Keys has won numerous prizes, including multiple Grammy prizes, and received favorable reviews throughout her career. She is one of the best-selling musicians in the world, with global record sales of more than 9 million copies.
In her career as a singer and composer, Alicia Keys has put out seven studio albums, two live albums, one remix album, four reissue albums, one EP, seven box sets, 45 singles, and six promotional singles. These are the order of Alicia Keys’ studio albums.
1. Songs in A Minor (2001)
‘Songs in A Minor,’ Alicia Keys’ 2001 first album, was her most popular studio album in terms of sales. More than 12 million copies were sold worldwide, with 7.5 million copies sold in the US alone. Alicia Keys received five Grammy Awards for this album.
The number-one album in the Netherlands and the United States was “Songs in A Minor.” Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the UK were among the countries where it reached the top 10.
The debut single, “Fallin,” which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly became the most-played song in the country at the time, was the first of four songs to be released from this album.
How Come You Don’t Call Me, Girlfriend, and A Woman’s Worth were the other singles from this album that were made available. Keys mixed a classic musical theme with a contemporary style on this album. Keys received recognition for both her songwriting prowess and her vocal prowess.
2. The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003)
‘The Diary of Alicia Keys‘ is considered one of Alicia Keys’ best albums by Slant Magazine. The style that came to be known as neo-soul is created by fusing a modern aesthetic with a vintage soul.
The tempo of the album changes from one tune to the next; the first two tracks have a horn-infused club sound, which is followed by tracks in a more Alicia Keys-like manner. The singer’s second studio album, “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” peaked at the top of the charts in Switzerland and the United States.
These four singles: “You Don’t Know My Name,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” “Diary,” and “Karma” were all taken from the album. ‘Karma’ peaked at only 20, while the first three singles were all top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. As I Am (2007)
The year 2007 saw the publication of ‘As I Am,’ which served as Alicia Keys’ third studio album overall. It was number one on the charts in both the United States of America and Switzerland, and it also made it into the top 10 in several other nations, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
More than five million copies of the album were sold across the world, and Alicia Keys was awarded three Grammys for her work on the record, which was certified four times platinum by the RIAA. 2005 marked the beginning of the singer’s work on this album, which focuses primarily on contemporary soul and R&B music and comprises tracks from that era.
If you’re looking to explore the best of Black Flag’s discography and blast through the noise, check out our list of the 10 Best Black Flag Songs.
4. Girl on Fire (2012)
The fifth album by Alicia Keys, “Girl on Fire,” debuted at the top of the US charts. Several other nations, such as Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, ranked it in the top ten albums.
The album’s lead single, “Title Song,” peaked at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list and at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song appeared on the album in three different versions: the original, an “Inferno” remix with Nicki Minaj, and a “Bluelight” remix with fewer musical flourishes. The hits “Brand New Me,” “New Day,” “Fire We Make,” and “Tears Always Win” were also taken from this album.
5. The Element of Freedom (2009)
The fourth studio album by Alicia Keys was titled “The Element of Freedom.” Almost every song on this album, according to The Guardian, is about the highs and lows of love. Alicia Keys was depressed at the time she composed this album and grappled with the difficulties of composing at that time.
Despite the lack of anything ground-breaking in the tracks, the album has a strong approach. It peaked at number two on the US album chart and topped the charts in the UK, Switzerland, and other countries.
‘Doesn’t Mean Anything‘ was the album’s lead single. From the album, three more singles were made available, one of which was a collaboration with Beyoncé called “Put It in a Love Song.”
Are you an Eric Church fan or looking to discover his best album? Check out our article on “The Unforgettable Eric Church: The Best Album You Need to Hear” for an unforgettable listening experience.
6. Here (2016)
On many of the tracks on ‘Here,’ which was Alicia Keys’ sixth studio album, she deviates from the conventional songwriting framework. This album was released in 2013.
For instance, the song “The Gospel” does not have a chorus, and the song “She Don’t Care” features a jam session in the middle that differentiates the distinct musical genres of the beginning and ending sections of the song.
The lyrics to the songs on this album feature Keys drawing from a variety of sources, including personal experiences as well as political concerns. The single “Here” enjoyed the highest success in the United States, where it peaked on the album charts at position number two.
7. Alicia (2020)
Alicia Keys’ most recent album, ‘Alicia,’ was released in 2016, however, she will release a new one in December 2021. This album peaked at number four on the album charts in the US.
The level to which Keys has cooperated with other musicians on ‘Alicia‘ contrasts significantly with her prior albums, which are predominately her creation. Ryan Tedder, The Dream, Swiss Beatz, Johnny McDaid, and Ed Sheeran all contributed to the album’s production and songwriting.
In addition, vocals from musicians including Diamond Platnumz, Jill Scott, Tierra Whack, Sampha, and Snoh Aalegra can be heard on several tunes.