2000–2002: Songs in A Minor Alicia Keys

keys performing in frankfurt, germany, 2002

following davis newly formed j records label, worked kerry krucial brothers , recorded songs rock wit u , rear view mirror , featured on soundtracks films shaft (2000) , dr. dolittle 2 (2001), respectively. keys first studio album songs in minor released in june 2001. musically, incorporated classical piano in r&b, soul , jazz album. jane stevenson of jam! described music old-school urban sounds , attitude set against backdrop of classical piano , sweet, warm vocals . usa today s steve jones wrote keys taps blues, soul, jazz , classical music propel haunting melodies , hard-driving funk . debuting @ number 1 on billboard 200 first-week sales of 236,000 units, went on sell on 6.2 million copies in united states , 12 million copies internationally. additionally, certified 6 times platinum recording industry association of america. songs in minor established keys popularity both inside , outside of united states became best-selling new artist , r&b artist of year.

the album s release preceded april release of debut single, fallin , spent 6 weeks atop billboard hot 100. album s second single, woman s worth , released in february 2002 , peaked @ 7 on hot 100 , number 3 on billboard s hot r&b/hip-hop songs; becoming second top ten single on both charts. released in june, how come don t call me served album s third single, peaking @ 59 on hot 100. album s fourth single girlfriend released in united kingdom peaked @ 82. following year, album reissued remixed & unplugged in minor, included 8 remixes , 7 unplugged versions of songs original.

songs in minor led keys win 5 awards @ 2002 grammy awards: song of year, best female r&b vocal performance, , best r&b song fallin , best new artist, , best r&b album; fallin nominated record of year. keys became second female solo artist win 5 grammy awards in single night, following lauryn hill @ 41st grammy awards. same year, collaborated christina aguilera latter s upcoming album stripped on song titled impossible , keys wrote, co-produced, , provided background vocals. during 2000s, keys made small cameos in television series charmed , american dreams.