Alicia Keys signed a demo deal with Jermaine Dupri and So So Def Recordings, where she appeared on the label's Christmas album performing "The Little Drummer Girl". Alicia Keys also co-wrote and recorded a song entitled "Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Thing)", which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Men in Black. The song was Alicia Keys' first professional recording; however, it was never released as a single and her record contract with Columbia ended after a dispute with the label. Alicia Keys called Clive Davis, who sensed a "special, unique" artist from her performance and signed her to Arista Records, which later disbanded. Alicia Keys almost chose Wilde as her stage name until her manager suggested the name Keys after a dream he had. Alicia Keys felt that name represented her both as a performer and person. Following Davis to his newly formed J Records label, Alicia Keys recorded the songs "Rock wit U" and "Rear View Mirror", which were featured on the soundtracks to the films Shaft (2000) and Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001), respectively.
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