The artist, Alicia J. Augello-Cook, commonly known as Alicia Keys to all, first started her music career at the age of 7 by being influenced from her mother to take piano lessons and to stick with playing.  Alicia comes from a very multi-cultural and biracial family.  Her mother’s heritage is a mix of Irish, Scottish, and Italian, while her father is Jamaican.  Advancing through her high school years by graduating early and getting accepted into Columbia University at the age of 16, Alicia put it all aside and focused on her music.  It was probably one of the best decisions she would ever make because soon after she did this her career took off and she’s been getting bigger ever since.  Alicia is a huge advocator of the AIDS movement, working as a spokeswoman for the non-profit organization, Keep A Child Alive.  The organization provides medicicine for the children and families who have AIDS in Africa.  She makes frequent visits to the different countries in Africa to promote the organization.  Alicia not only supports the AIDS movement, but also plays an important role for Frum Tha Ground Up, which is also a non-profit organization that promotes success of African-American youth. The song, “Like You’ll Never See Me Again”, is an original written by Alicia and another songwriter/producer, Kerry Brothers Jr.  The song hit number one on the Billboard’s Hot 100 list.  The song first was debuted in November 2007.With her powerful and soulful voice, the song captures the essence of her lyrics and makes you really listen to the words that she’s saying.  I think it is a song that every woman can relate too which makes her so original in my eyes.  I believe this relates to this class because Alicia has a strong African-American voice that is full of soul and she twists old R&B style in a new way.