Alicia Keys says music saved her from a troubled youth
The 'No One' singer grew up in the tough Hell's Kitchen district of New York
and revealed her single mother Terri Augello sent her to dance and music
lessons to keep her off the streets.
She said: "It was the best thing she ever did for me. I'd go and hang out
with my friends, but would only do it for 45 minutes as I had to get to my
next class. My extracurricular lessons gave me a real sense of focus and
drive and they helped to keep me out of trouble."
The 27-year-old singer has also spoken openly again about carrying a knife
for protection when she was a teenager.
She added to Britain's Sunday Times News Review magazine: "Gang culture was
everywhere and there were altercations all the time. You'd often find
yourself in situations where you wished you had something more than just
your hands. So I would carry around a little shank, a home made knife.
"When my mother found it she was so upset and couldn't understand why I had
it. I needed a knife, just in case. I definitely understand that feeling of
wanting to protect yourself."
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