Alicia Keys designs Reebok Sneaker range

The Empire State of Mind hitmaker has teamed up with bosses at sportswear giant Reebok to design a collection of sporty footwear, and she admits her love for the company's original 5411 style shoes when she growing up inspired her to update them for a new generation of sneaker fanatics.

She tells People.com, "This felt totally perfect. It was everything I dreamed about growing up, and a style of shoe I connected to as a teen. It was another creative outlet for me."

One black leather pair, which hits U.S. stores this week (ends07Sep12), features piano keys wrapped around the heel of the shoe - a nod to her skills as a pianist - and the skyline of her native New York above it.

Keys says of the unique design, "That's the heart and soul of who I am. I can see people wanting to rock them, love wearing them. It all feels really great, and speaks to who I am and what I love."

Beatz also has an exclusive line of Kamikaze sneakers with Reebok.

Wenn.com