Songs in A Minor is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. It was released on June 5, 2001 by J Records. Alicia Keys was signed with Colombia Records after she graduated high school. She recorded an album in 1998. Colombia Records did not like the album and did not release it. The contract with Colombia Records ended. This was because of a dispute with the label. Alicia Keys then signed a contract with Clive Davis. Keys is a classically-trained pianist. She used her pianist talents to produced and arranged her music. The album was named "Songs in A Minor". However, only one song "Jane Doe" is in the key of A minor.