By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter Producer
MANHATTAN — Manhattan-born songstress Alicia Keys confirmed Thursday night that she is pregnant with plans to marry the baby's father, music producer Swizz Beatz, several papers reported.
Keys, 29, who was raised in Hells Kitchen and graduated from the Professional Performing Arts High School on West 48th Street before attending Columbia University, has been dating Beatz, 31, since fall 2008, according to People Magazine.
In addition to producing songs for artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Gwen Stefani, Beatz (given name: Kaseem Dean) is a rapper, painter, art collector, CEO, entrepreneur, and the United Nations Music Ambassador for World Peace, according to his website.
Beatz is also the father of two boys, a 3-year-old and a 9-year-old, People noted.
Keys helped inspire countless moments of New York pride this summer, when she collaborated with rapper Jay-Z to create the smash hit "Empire State of Mind."
The Grammy Award winner is set to perform at the kick-off concert for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa next month.