Alicia Keys Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Debut

Music critics are invited to see burgeoning singer-songwriters almost every day. But when a request came across this writer's desk to see a young singer-songwriter at an intimate showcase 10 years ago, it carried with it high expectations.

Backed by music mogul Clive Davis, Alicia Keys was billed as a cross between Lauryn Hill and Whitney Houston, a gritty, cornrow-wearing R&B singer who was a brilliant, classically trained pianist with both a stunning voice and beauty.

She was going to be big. Bigger than big. Grammy Awards and multiplatinum sales were more than hoped for, they were expected.

Keys delivered on the all hype when her debut, "Songs in A Minor," was released in 2001.

From: http://ping.fm/PLErm