Famous R&B singer Alicia Keys (born Alicia J. Augello-Cook) is suffering from swollen vocal cords and was forced by the illness to cancel two shows from her North American tour. The bad news for the singer’s fans was given by Alicia Keys’ record label on Wednesday.

The two shows at which the 27-year-old R&B singer won’t be able to make it are the ones in Pittsburgh, scheduled for Tuesday, and Cleveland, scheduled for Thursday.

She will be back on stage in Columbus on Saturday according to her record label J Records.
The singer’s new tour that is promoting her album "As I Am," began last Saturday in Hampton, Virginia.

The announcement came a few days after Jordin Sparks, the 2007 "American Idol" winner, was forced by similar problems to withdraw from Alicia Keys’ tour and cancel all her performances for the rest of the month.

Jive Records, the label record of the 18-year-old singer, whose hits include "Tattoo" and "No Air," expected her to join the trek in May.

Alicia Keys has sold over 25 million albums worldwide as of 2007. The R&B musician and film actress has won numerous awards, including eleven Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and fourteen NAACP Image Awards.