Alicia Keys designs Reebok sneaker range

R&B superstar Alicia Keys has followed in her producer husband Swizz Beatz's footsteps and launched her own 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 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.