Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Share Intimate Details With Vibe

06 Apr 2012 14:32:27 EDT

The couple open up about their first encounter 14 years ago and how a credit card mix-up sparked a romance.
By Rob Markman

It's all about timing. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz got it right eventually, but if it was up to the multiplatinum producer, the power couple would have gotten their party started 14 years ago. In the April/May issue of Vibe Magazine, on stands April 16, cover star Keys and her husband, Swizzy, talk about the humble beginnings of their now-blossomed love.

After they first met in 1998, Swizz tried to get the songbird's phone number through a friend, but he was shut down Vibe reports. "It wasn't our time yet," he told the mag.

There was another encounter several years later. The two spilt the check for a business lunch and in the midst of some usual after-meal payment confusion, Swizz ended up with the "Fallin' " singer's credit card in his back pocket. The couple, who married in 2010, would eventually look at their quirky encounters as signs of fate. "My credit card was in his pocket," Alicia said. "Why was my credit card in his pocket?"

"It was the craziest thing," Swizz remarked.

In an excerpt of the feature article, Vibe paints the picture of a happy and confident couple, even though the two have been the subject of plenty of rumors and gossip fodder. Through the perceived ups and downs, Swizz and Keys have flourished in their respective careers. The 31-year-old singer is now working on her sixth album and tells the mag that for the first time she feels comfortable in her own skin.

"Let's just say I've been very uncomfortable," she said. "I've been brave enough to be uncomfortable."

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Whitney Houston Laid To Rest In Private Ceremony

19 Feb 2012 15:36:25 EST

Family and friends said their final farewell to the iconic singer who was buried at the Fairview Cemetery in New Jersey.
By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

NEWARK, New Jersey — Superstar singer Whitney Elizabeth Houston was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Westfield, New Jersey today. She was buried next to her father John Houston at the Fairview Cemetery. According to reports, fans and onlookers lined streets with memorials and signs, watching as the police-escorted motorcade and the hearse carrying her casket drove to the cemetery.

The 48-year-old died on February 11, 2012. She was found dead inside her Beverly Hilton hotel room at approximately 3:55 p.m. PT in Los, Angeles. The official cause of death is still being investigated. She was at the Beverly Hilton in preparation for mentor Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party.

Houston was memorialized in a grand ceremony yesterday at the New Hope Baptist Church, the same church she grew up singing in as a child in Newark, New Jersey. The "homegoing" ceremony, marking the singer's spiritual return "home", lasted some five hours and was conducted in the Baptist tradition. Although invite-only, it was nationally televised and streamed on Livestream for fans. It featured family friends, professional colleagues and dignitaries from all walks including daughter Bobbi Kristina, cousin Dionne Warwick, actor/filmmaker Tyler Perry, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Flags in New Jersey flew half mast in Houston's honor.

Bittersweet, the ceremony celebrated Houston's amazing life and accomplishments and guests shared personal anecdotes about their Nippy, her nickname. Clive Davis mused, "You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. A face like that. A smile like that. A presence like that for a lifetime. And when one person embodies it all -- well, it takes my breath away." Bodyguard costar Kevin Costner fought back tears as he said, "Go sing for your heavenly father, Whitney."

Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, the Winans family and R. Kelly were among those who gave Houston a musical send-off. Stevie Wonder personalized the lyrics of his classic "Ribbon In The Sky" to "There's an angel in the choir of love" for Whitney while R. Kelly performed a moving rendition of "I Look to You", a song he penned that Whitney featured on her 2009 album of the same name. The proceedings ended in a fitting manner with Whitney's most famous song, "I Will Always Love You," playing as her casket was somberly walked out of the church.

Whitney was at her peak the definitive pop diva that all others were measured up to. Her phenomenal vocal range and gorgeous looks made her a multi-genre sensation. The daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, her pristine voice ruled the 80s and 90s with a slew of chart-topping albums and memorable songs like "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "The Greatest Love of All"; she broke the chart record with seven consecutive Billboard #1 songs. Her promising film career included roles like 1992's The Bodyguard and 1995's Waiting to Exhale and her rendition of "I Will Always Love You" from the former film stands as one of the most recognized and beloved songs in pop history. Houston's artistic influence is indelible still on subsequent generations from Mariah Carey to Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson.

Despite a long-standing public battle with addiction and a tumultuous relationship with then-husband Bobby Brown, Whitney was working on staging a personal and professional comeback at the time of her death. She had wrapped filming on the movieSparkle with Jordin Sparks and was working on new music. Since her untimely passing, Whitney has sold over 1 million albums and singles. The diva lives on.

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Whitney Houston 'An Angel,' Alicia Keys Sings At Funeral

18 Feb 2012 16:02:51 EST

Keys, who shared a mentor with Houston in Clive Davis, performs 'Send Me an Angel' during Saturday's funeral in New Jersey.
By Rebecca Thomas

After a stormy 14-year marriage to bad-boy singer Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston decided to end that chapter in 2006. Three years later, Houston had aligned again with mentor Clive Davis, the music industry impresario who first discovered a teenage Whitney belting out tunes in a nightclub and signed her to his Arista Records. Their final collaboration, I Look to You, was set to launch her on a "comeback" trail.

Like so many young singers, Alicia Keys — also a Davis acolyte — had long looked up to Houston. But the gifted songwriter cemented her connection to Houston, who was found dead at 48 a week ago, by writing the album's hit single, "Million Dollar Bill."

On Saturday afternoon (February 18), Keys honored Houston in song once again, but instead of a dance-floor-filler, the "Unbreakable" singer took to the piano for an emotional farewell at New Jersey's New Hope Baptist Church. Keys, dressed in a dark suit, first happily recalled Houston as a "beautiful human being, [who would] call you for no reason at all but to say, 'Hi.' "

Keys, who co-wrote "Bill" with husband Swizz Beatz, said Houston also made it a habit to nurture the female singers who were following in her superstar footsteps. "She reached back to so many people; she reached back to me, to Monica and Brandy ... all these beautiful young artists, and just made us feel strong and capable and loved."

"So she's an angel to us, and has been an angel to us," Keys added before performing a moving "Send Me an Angel."

Keys wasn't the only singer to pay soulful tribute to the "How Will I Know" star. Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and gospel greats BeBe & CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell were among the performers at Houston's Going-Home ceremony in Newark, where her "Bodyguard" co-star Kevin Costner delivered a heartbreaking eulogy.

Stay with MTVNews.com all day Saturday for continuing coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral services.

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Etta James Honored At Grammys By Alicia Keys, Bonnie Raitt

12 Feb 2012 21:11:11 EST

But Whitney Houston isn't far from Keys' mind: 'As we were reminded just yesterday, when a truly great artist leaves us, their legacy lives on.'
By Kelley L. Carter

Dressed in all black, Alicia Keys took to the Grammy stage Sunday night (February 12) with country crooner Bonnie Raitt and paid tribute to two now-gone legends.

Initially, the two were just set to pay homage to the late, great Etta James, who died just last month at the age of 73 in California. James was a six-time Grammy winner. But Keys, a clear student of Whitney Houston, said, "As we were reminded just yesterday, when a truly great artist leaves us, their legacy lives on."

It was a reference to Houston, the iconic singer who was found dead in her hotel room in Beverly Hills on the eve of the Grammy Awards. Houston, also a six-time Grammy winner, was 48.

Keys and Raitt avoided the obvious James choice — her ubiquitous and well-known hit "At Last" — and instead sang "Sunday Kind of Love," a song featured on the same album as her biggest hit that has since became a classic standard.

"We love you, Etta! We love you, Whitney! We'll never forget you," the two said almost in unison at the conclusion of the performance.

Houston died at the age of 48 on Saturday. Her body was found at the Beverly Hilton, hours before her mentor Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash. She was expected to attend the annual fete. The party went on as planned Saturday night, where Davis, Diddy, Alicia Keys and Tony Bennett all paid tribute to the fallen star. A tribute to Houston is also planned during Sunday's show, led by Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan.

Stick with MTV News for all the news on Whitney Houston's tribute, the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and more until the hangover wears off!

Share your condolences with Whitney's family and friends on our Facebook page.

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Whitney Houston Celebrated: Inside Clive Davis' Grammy Party

12 Feb 2012 10:48:55 EST

MTV News is on the scene as Alicia Keys, Diddy, Pitbull, Tony Bennett, more pay tribute to late singer at Davis' annual pre-Grammy bash.
By James Montgomery

BEVERLY HILLS, California — Ever since 1976, Clive Davis has been throwing his pre-Grammy gala, a celebration of the year in music that's part concert, part cocktail reception, part roast. It's become the event during Grammy week, a black-tie party attended by the biggest stars, a soiree as synonymous with the awards as those golden gramophone trophies.

And yet, in its 35 years, there's probably never been a Clive Davis party like the one that took place on Saturday night. It occurred just hours after the death of Whitney Houston, the legendary producer and music executive's crown jewel, was announced, in the very hotel where Houston's body was discovered. Understandably, there was a rather palpable pall to the proceedings (so much so that several outlets reported the grieving Davis had decided to cancel the event), though most in attendance seemed to believe Whitney would've wanted the show to go on. So while throngs of Houston fans began to hold a candlelight vigil outside the Beverly Hilton, inside, Davis himself was stepping up to the podium to deliver a eulogy for an artist who was not only his greatest discovery, but one of his closest friends.

"By now, sadly, we've all learned of the unspeakable [tragedy] of our beloved Whitney's passing," Davis said, visibly shaken. "I don't have to mask my emotions, not in front of this room filled with so many dear friends. I am personally devastated. Whitney was so full of life ... she was a beautiful person with talent beyond compare. She graced the stage with a regal presence ... and her family asked that the show go on."

Davis then asked those in attendance — everyone from Richard Branson and Joni Mitchell to Sean "Diddy" Combs and Serena Williams (not to mention Britney Spears, Lana Del Rey, Adam Lambert and more) — to join him in a moment of silence to honor Houston's memory, and you could hear a pin drop. Then, he announced that this night's gala would be dedicated to the singer, before announcing, "And now, on with the music."

For the next three-plus hours, the talent in the room did their best to not only rise to the occasion but to vocalize the shock and sadness they were feeling in the hours after Houston's death. Tony Bennett remembered that after Davis had signed Houston to Arista Records in the early 1980s, he told him, "Clive, you finally got the greatest singer I ever heard in my life," before performing a somber rendition of Frank Sinatra's "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" Diddy recalled Houston's smile and "natural, positive spirit," before telling the audience that "Whitney, simply put, had the greatest voice in the world. She was a gift from God."

After finishing his tribute, Combs then reminded the crowd that Davis' gala has always been about celebrating — he repeated the phrase "There ain't no party like a Clive Davis party" — and urged those in attendance to get out of their seats and give both Davis and Bennett standing ovations.

That energy carried over into Kinks frontman Ray Davies' raucous set, which had the men of Mumford & Sons leaping out of their seats. Pitbull, who teamed with Ne-Yo for a spirited sprint through their hit "Give Me Everything," also managed to lift the event out of the shadows.

Alicia Keys shared stories of singing "I Want to Dance With Somebody" in front of the mirror as a child, and she talked about her longtime friendship with Houston, whom she called "a sister." She then played an emotional mini-set on the piano, which included her leading the audience in a sing-along to the chorus of "No One," a fitting tribute indeed.

Wiz Khalifa, who earlier in the night told MTV News that he planned on celebrating Houston's life onstage, lived up to that promise during his brief set, burning through his hit "Black and Yellow" while backed by a cracking live band. And Brit import Jessie J had the attention of the entire room as she spoke about Houston's influence, saying that when she first got signed at the age of 17, her #1 goal was meeting the singer.

Of course, not everyone found the strength to perform. Towards the end of the night, Davis once again returned to the lectern and informed the audience that two of Houston's disciples, Brandy and Monica, were scheduled to take the stage (he added that Houston had attended a rehearsal of their performance on Thursday), but were too emotional to make it through their song.

And in a night overflowing with tributes to the late singer, it was that moment that truly said it all. Houston was not only a prodigious talent, she was also a friend, a mother, a family member ... and all those points were mentioned time and time again during Saturday's celebration. But the unspoken grief of two of Houston's closest friends made it abundantly clear that she was also loved dearly, and that those who knew her best are struggling to put her death into perspective. But at the very least, this night was the first step.

MTV News' Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12 starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music's biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch Reactions and Remembrances at MTV.com.

Share your condolences with Whitney's family and friends on our Facebook page.

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Alicia Keys Debuts New Song At iHeartRadio Festival

26 Sep 2011 11:30:10 EDT

Singer premieres uplifting 'A Place of My Own' during Friday set at Las Vegas fest.
By James Dinh

Alicia Keys has been hard at work on a new album, and she was eager to offer fans something to hold them over at this weekend's much-hyped iHeartRadio music festival in Las Vegas, which also featured sets from Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Coldplay.

Click for photos from the iHeartRadio festival.

"I've been in the studio working on some new music, and I thought tonight would be the perfect night to play something new for you," the singer said during her Friday set. "Is it OK for me to play something brand-new? Yes, let's do it."

The R&B songstress then delivered "A Place of My Own," an uplifting, piano-driven tune about building up the courage to overcome struggles and find happiness. Despite some hoarse vocals, Keys did her best to perform the cut and continue on with her set list, which included hits like "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart," "Unthinkable" and, of course, "Empire State of Mind" with special guest Jay-Z.

" 'Cause I'm lookin' for a place to call my own/ I'm lookin' for a house to make a home/ I'm lookin' for a seat upon a throne/ I'm lookin' for a place to call my own," the singer belted alongside her live band.

Keys had earlier taken to her Twitter to share her excitement over the two-day music fest, writing, "Summer n vegas! 2nights show is gonna b insane!! Kinda wish I was n the audience! ;-) the @iHeartRadio Music Festival!"

Earlier this summer, Keys' husband and musical collaborator Swizz Beatz teased even more new music when he gushed to MTV News about a potential duet between Keys and British belter Adele.

"I just thought that, man, this would be a great moment for both of them, because they have amazing styles and they both respect each other," he explained. "They're fans of each other. So let's make this good for music."

What do you think of Alicia's new tune? Share your reviews below.

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Alicia Keys, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Remember 1991: When Rock Rocked

07 Sep 2011 13:05:10 EDT

In honor of Nevermind's 20th anniversary, we shine the spotlight on some of 1991's other truly great albums.
By James Montgomery

On September 24, Nirvana's Nevermind album turns 20, a milestone that seems rather inconceivable to anyone who actually lived and breathed during the alt-rock era. Still, its birthday will surely be celebrated all over the world, and justifiably so. After all, it's the album that changed everything and, as such, deserves to be mythologized.

Of course, in doing so, most overlook the fact that there was no shortage of other classic albums released in the shadow of Nevermind, from mega-platinum rock blockbusters to quiet-as-it's-kept indie gems, and just about everything in between. In 1991, rock truly rocked, so, in celebration of that fact, we've asked some of today's biggest bands to discuss their favorite albums from that rather amazing year.

We've already paid tribute to classics like Dinosaur Jr.'s Green Mind and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Pearl Jam's Ten and Fugazi's Steady Diet of Nothing. Now, we're honoring a pair of albums that truly show the scope of 1991's back catalog, as told by their biggest fans.

Lenny Kravitz, Mama Said
Building on the slow-burning success of his 1989 debut, Let Love Rule, Kravitz returned in '91 with Mama Said, an album that saw him expand his horizons — from the Philly soul-tinged hit "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" to the Lennon-inspired "Flowers for Zoë," with homages to Sly, Prince and Jimi thrown in for good measure — and firmly establish himself as an international star. Sure, that sonic grab-bag (not to mention his biracial heritage) made Kravitz a curio case for critics in desperate need of a hook, but the end result was an album so sumptuous, seething and downright seamless that it could only really be categorized one way: as a classic. He'd hit the stratosphere with 1993's Are You Gonna Go My Way, but it was with Mama Said that Kravitz truly made the leap.

As Remembered By Alicia Keys: "To me, Lenny is like one of the most important figures in music, for us as a generation, because there's not many people who do what he does, and [to] do it so authentically and with such ease ... who he is and how he is are exactly what he is, you know? And 1991 was an incredible year, and that album, I could definitely relate to 'Flowers for Zoë,' figuring that was a song he wrote for his daughter, and how it moves you and affects you and what you want to say about it. I'm just super proud of Lenny. I think that he's an icon for us, because he broke barriers and he was an individual and remains an individual today. And a lot of times, as a beautiful black artist, you're put in many boxes, and I think that he really broke those barriers down."

Guns N' Roses, Use Your Illusion I + II
Though it was released as two separate discs (which sold a combined 1.45 million copies in a single week), GN'R's Use Your Illusion is really, truly a double-album, one that represented a turning point for the massively popular band. Sure, the hard-rock histrionics of Appetite for Destruction were still present, but for the first time, Axl and company dabbled in blues, classical music and, of course, ballads. One can't overlook the overtly political tone of songs like "Civil War" and the cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" or the proggy theatrics of epics like "November Rain" and "Don't Cry," but to focus solely on those bits would be a disservice to the sheer ambition, scope and spectacle of the project, which truly changed Guns N' Roses — since it would be 17 years before they'd release a proper follow-up — and hard rock forever.

As Remembered By Joshua Epstein, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.: "[They] were huge hits when we were in elementary school. We actually almost called our band Use Your Illusion IV — this is actually true. But I will say those albums were everywhere. I remember all the videos; Axl Rose and supermodels and weddings and Slash playing giant guitar solos in canyons. But I also remember that they kind of brought back the ballad, which really changed my world. 'November Rain' was, like, a huge monster hit, and it actually did change the way I thought about music. I saw them play, I went to this concert with my friend's parents, and Axl Rose warmed up on the piano for 35 minutes before playing 'November Rain.' But, like, he wasn't a good piano player, so his warm-ups were, like, scales that you and I would've learned at piano lessons as a kid. And it was one of the worst things I've ever seen in my life, so I did learn also what not to do from watching Guns N' Roses in the Use Your Illusion era."

What is your favorite album from 1991? Let us know in the comments below!

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Nick Ashford Remembered By Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz

23 Aug 2011 13:32:40 EDT

Ashford & Simpson singer/songwriter honored as 'a legend' by Ashanti, Spike Lee and more celebs.
By Jocelyn Vena

The death of Nick Ashford on Monday has Hollywood remembering the musical contributions of one-half of Motown's Ashford & Simpson songwriting team.

The creative force behind "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" and "I'm Every Woman" wrote hits for Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and Chaka Khan in the '60s and '70s, along with wife Valerie Simpson, before finding fame as performers with songs like "Solid."

Many celebrities took to Twitter to express their condolences. "I'm so sad that he's gone.....So many of the greatest are going to a greater place....what a legacy of infectious music... man!" Alicia Keys tweeted.

Lenny Kravitz wrote, "Left rehearsal. Heard Nick Ashford passed. A legend. My heart goes out to Valerie. My Lord, ain't no mountain high enough. Solid as a rock."

"R.I.P Nick Ashford one of the most Soulful & Amazing Singer/Songwriters Timeless Classic Music," Ashanti wrote on the social-networking site. "Many Prayers & Blessings to his Family."

Russell Simmons commented on Ashford's legacy, tweeting, "R.I.P. Nick Ashford has left his body Most cannot see his everlasting spirit, but the eyes behind the eyes remain w/us."

MC Hammer's tweet mirrored Simmons': "Nick Ashford (RIP) your songs and melodies touched millions of lives and will never fade. We #Salute your Life."

Ashford & Simpson contemporaries Earth, Wind & Fire kept their tweet simple: "REST IN PEACE TO A TRUE LEGEND: NICK ASHFORD."

The weight of the performer's loss stretched outside the music community, with Hollywood heavyweights also expressing their feelings on his passing. "Sad Morning.We lost another Giant yesterday,The Great NICK ASHFORD.Nick,along with his Wife Valerie Simpson wrote amazing Songs," Spike Lee wrote.

Ashford died in New York City at age 70 of throat cancer. He leaves behind his wife and musical partner, Valerie Simpson, and two daughters, Nicole and Asia.

Share your condolences for Ashford's friends and family in the comments below.

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Adele/ Alicia Keys Duet Would 'Make History,' Swizz Beatz Says

07 Jul 2011 17:53:17 EDT

'I just thought that, man, this would be a great moment for both of them,' rapper/producer (and Keys' husband) tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena

Swizz Beatz seems intent on getting his superstar wife, Alicia Keys, and British pop queen bee Adele into the studio very, very soon. In fact, when MTV News caught up with the rapper/producer, he said it seemed like the twosome would be hooking up sooner than fans might think.

"We're looking good, we're looking good, we're looking good," he told MTV News quite emphatically in his green room at the Sounds Like Paper Concert at the House of Vans in Brooklyn, New York.

The rumor of a possible collaboration between the two divas was actually started by the Haute Living rapper himself last month, and he appeared to get an enthusiastic co-sign from his lady love. While Swizz is quite adamant about making something happen with these two ladies, he's not quite sure what that something should sound like. Since both ladies are famous for soulful-leaning pop, it seems like a natural fit.

"I just know that you know greatness when you see greatness, and teaming two greats up together, it makes history," he explained. "And I don't even have to produce the track; I just want it to happen. She can produce the track, somebody else can produce the track."

Why is Swizz so amped up to make this happen? "I just thought that, man, this would be a great moment for both of them, because they have amazing styles and they both respect each other," he said. "They're fans of each other. So let's make this good for music."

Would you like to hear an Adele/Alicia duet? Let us know in the comments below!

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Alicia Keys Marvels At 'Incredible' Wax Figure

28 Jun 2011 16:14:02 EDT

'Look that's my chin! That's my jaw!' songstress tells MTV News of her Madame Tussauds likeness.
By Jocelyn Vena

NEW YORK — Alicia Keys famously sang about the "spirit of New York" on her hit song with Jay-Z, "Empire State of Mind." Now the New York native is part of an exhibit with that name at Madame Tussauds in Times Square, and she couldn't be prouder to have her wax figure stand alongside those of Regis Philbin, Woody Allen and Frank Sinatra.

"I actually think it's really, really good!" she raved to MTV News about the likeness. "I was looking close up: It's like my eyebrows are for real, and it's like my eyes are for real, and the bone structure of my chin, like, 'Look, that's my chin! That's my jaw!'

"It's incredible. It's really incredible, and I think it's so cool to be a part of the New York City part of the exhibit," she added. "I was born and raised here, this is my home, so it's so perfect."

It's a particularly big day for Keys, as it was just announced she's producing the Broadway play "Stick Fly." Keys said she can't believe she has her hand in something that will be playing on the Great White Way.

"The piece is really about this beautiful African-American family in Martha's Vineyard, and it is so deep," she said of the play by Lydia R. Diamond. "It's about all the secrets that families have, and it's funny. What I love about it is it bypasses everything, and it's all about family."

The singer, who is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her breakout album Songs in A Minor, says that, as a New Yorker, getting on Broadway is living the dream. "Broadway is something that's played an integral part in my life. It's been something that I've experienced my whole life," she said. "I've always wanted to be a part of it. You haven't seen this family before on Broadway. It's universal and at the same time unique."

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