Soul Train: First of all, Alicia, how would you describe your sound?

Alicia Keys: Well, I would say that it's very soulful. It's a mixture of a lot of different sounds. I'm a classically trained pianist, so it has a classical zone in it. It has blues, jazz, R&B, hip-hop. It's a fusion of everything that I am, which is a lot.

ST: Who influenced you musically when you were growing up?

Alicia Keys: Everybody from Beethoven, Chopin, Donny Hathaway, Nina Simone, Biggie, Jay-Z, Tupac, Miles Davis -- all across the spectrum.

ST: Who are some of your favorite present-day artists?

Alicia Keys: Favorite present-days are Mary J., Erykah Badu, R. Kelly. I love a lot of artists -- Jill Scott, she's doin' her thing. A lot, a lot of 'em are really doing they thing.

ST: And your debut album is out in April, correct?

Alicia Keys: Actually, May 22 --

ST: May 22.

Alicia Keys: -- is going to be the official date, so look out for that.

ST: OK. And what's the title?

Alicia Keys: It's called "Songs in A Minor."

ST: And what's the first single, and when does it drop?

Alicia Keys: First single is a blazin' joint called "Fallin' ", and that should be out in April, the middle of April.

ST: Are you touring, or do you have plans to tour?

Alicia Keys: [Getting makeup applied] Sorry for actin' all girlie and stuff on the show, but [laughing]! Absolutely. That's what I'm based in, you know? My live show is a lot of fun. That's where my heart is, so we're doing a lot of shows in New York March 15. It's gonna be one March 29 we're going to be in London. You know, we're gonna be all over the world definitely. The live shows and the tour is gonna be all over the place.

ST: Any other projects you want to mention?

Alicia Keys: Well, just look out for Alicia Keys, Crucial Keys, the whole J Records, just comin' for you.

ST: And how about a hello for Soultrain.com?

Alicia Keys: What's the deal, Soultrain.com? How you doin'? Thanks for comin' through to see me.

ST: All right. Thanks a lot.

• • • • •