KEYS is the 8th studio record by singer and producer Alicia Keys. After two decades of career, she sets the bar high with a double-disc album. She remains original & unlocks a distinct sound. Something she fought for during her early days.
Alicia Cook was born on January 25, 1981, in Manhattan, NYC. With an absent father in her life, she would look up to her mother, who worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Growing up in the boroughs of Clinton, molded her to witness the ugly, bad, and good. The ugly & the bad, meaning the daily street violence, and the good, connotating how to navigate and strive to choose her dreams.
Whereas many artists/musicians envision just picking up the mic and singing, Alicia fell in love with the piano. Throughout her teenage years, not only did she master it but explored other genres (i.e., R&B, rap, jazz, and soul).
At just 15 years of age, she signed to a record label. However, when that aspiration became a reality, she witnessed first-hand how the industry operated.
Instead of having the creativity of her sound and the vision she aspired to pursue, -musically, she was overshadowed by executives molding her with unwanted writers and producers.
“I always knew what I wanted,
-Noted: Alicia Keys The Untold Stories (2021)
and I was the only one that could create what I wanted.”
But the lessons of her upbringing shielded her to stay loyal. Eventually, she left her first record label. An unheard move back then when the first step to becoming a musician was to be signed to one.
Regardless, her final vision became a reality in June 2001, with the release of her debut album, “Songs in A Minor.” Afterward, indeed it proved to be just the piano and her.
Later, the album upheld her for being not only a writer but also a producer. Most importantly, she wasn’t boxed just in one category, but in multiple such as R&B, rap, and jazz.
As mentioned in Juice WRLD and Dua Lipa’s posts; the sophomore is even harder than the debut album. Here, you have to prove consistency.
And that is exactly what she showcased in “The Diary of Alicia” (2003). If her previous effort had “Fallin‘,” this one had “If I Ain’t Got You,” which catapulted the project atop the charts.
Amazingly, she did not show any signs of slowing down. In a span of 2 years, she released “As I Am” (2007), and “The Element of Freedom” (2009). Indeed, this girl was on fire (get it?).
Alicia/KEYS
If she dominated the 2000s, she set the bar high entering the new decade. In December 2020 and 2021, she released “ALICIA” and “KEYS,” respectively.
Comprised of a double disc, “KEYS” follows the blueprint of her previous efforts. Beautiful piano melodies filled with dazzling lyrics. Moreover, the LP blends different genres.
Namely, R&B essence by Khalid contributing vocals, rap presence by incorporating Pusha T and Lil Wayne, and rock by inviting singer Brandi Carlile.
As Ann Mincieli (female engineer) states, Alicia is considered a triple threat because she sings, plays the piano, and writes her music. Hence, she looks at her as the female version of Prince (R.I.P.).
“You have to go through many versions of yourself to finally feel that you are enough.
-KEYS: A Short Film (2021)
Accept the original of you to become unlocked.“
In fact, the music industry is understaffed by women. The percentage of female engineers is 1 % and of producers not more than 3 %. Thus, they created “She Is The Music.” A program meant for women to strive in music.
After 21 years into the game and counting, she remains original to herself and unlocks her full potential as a singer & producer on the extended project.
Watch “KEYS: A Short Film” and listen to “KEYS” in its entirety.
