 Alicia Keys expanded her empire by presenting her first play on Broadway last night. The Grammy-winning singer, who serves as producer and music composer, was beaming with pride as she celebrated opening night for Stick Fly at Cort Theatre in New York City. She was joined by her husband Swizz Beatz, cast members, and celebrities including Spike Lee, Gayle King, Taraji P. Henson, and Tracee Ellis Ross at the premiere and after-party. The play is centered around an affluent African-American family who gathers at their summer home in Martha’s Vineyard. But a relaxing weekend takes an unexpected turn when two sons bring their girlfriends home to meet their parents for the first time. “It’s about the human experience, so it doesn’t matter how you look, where you’re from, where you grew up,” explained Alicia of the family-geared production. “Life is hilarious, life is serious, life is outrageous, and that’s what this play is.” Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Photos, Swizz Beatz | Permalink |   In honor of World AIDS Day, Alicia Keys sat down with Bono to discuss the battle against HIV/AIDS. The Keep a Child Alive co-founder and U2 frontman shared the advancements in medicine and science that are helping to end the epidemic. “If you are able to be treated, then 96 percent of the time you will not spread the virus,” Alicia told George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America.” “It’s a tremendous breakthrough.” Added Bono, “This is why we can say this is the beginning of the end to AIDS. This is probably the greatest act of courage in my view since the second World War, what the U.S. has done here.” Alicia was hopeful that soon AIDS will be eradicated. “No matter who you are, we can all agree that we want an AIDS-free generation,” she said. “We have the possibility to be the generation, to have a legacy that we can say we created an AIDS-free generation.” Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, TV Appearances | Permalink |   Alicia Keys received support from fellow philanthropist Bono at the screening of her documentary, Keep a Child Alive with Alicia Keys, at New York’s Tribeca Grand Hotel last night. The film, which premieres December 1 on Showtime, follows a pregnant Keys’ journey to South Africa during last year’s World Cup. The Grammy-winning singer launched her charity to help those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India, and hopes the documentary will shed more light on the issues. “Even if you never have been able to travel there, or if you never can, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel with us and really see it for yourself,” she told the AP. The U2 frontman was intimidated the first time he met the “Superwoman.” “I was terrified the moment I met her. I was shaking in my boots,” said Bono. “I was very moved by her singing of course, but what was interesting was the hard questions afterwards, and I think it’s those hard questions that she asks that lead her.” Watch the trailer for Keep a Child Alive with Alicia Keys below. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Photos | Permalink |   Alicia Keys was cute in curls at a meet and greet for Stick Fly in New York City earlier today. The Grammy-winning singer, who produced and composed music for the Broadway play, joined the cast while mingling with ticket buyers and signing autographs at Cort Theatre. “It’s about the human experience, so it doesn’t matter how you look, where you’re from, where you grew up,” explained Alicia of the family-oriented production. “Life is hilarious, life is serious, life is outrageous, and that’s what this play is.” Stick Fly opens December 8 on Broadway, with limited previews beginning this Friday. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Photos | Permalink |   Alicia Keys can rock the mic, but can she also work the turntables? The Grammy-winning singer introduced her DJ alter ego DJ AK-47 during a recent gig with Swizz Beatz. Her husband got things started before handing it to his wife, who spun old school classics from Pete Rock and Gang Starr as Swizzy and Busta Rhymes backed her up. “I learned how to DJ at 9:45 tonight,” said DJ AK-47, who started a Twitter account and plans to release a mixtape. Watch her work the ones and twos below. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Videos | Permalink |   Alicia Keys was the belle of the ball at the 8th Annual Keep a Child Alive Black Ball at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Thursday evening (Nov. 3). The Grammy-winning songstress, who co-founded the non-profit organization, shimmered in a gold top, cream-colored blazer, and gold pointy-toe heels as she posed on the red carpet with her husband Swizz Beatz, who looked sharp in an all-black tux. “I am overwhelmed by the kindness I witnessed last night at the eighth annual Black Ball NY,” said Keys, who raised over $3 million for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in India and Africa. “I am forever grateful to all of our supporters whose generosity will provide AIDS treatment and care for so many in desperate need.” Queen Latifah, Tyra Banks, Gayle King, Kerry Washington, Carmelo Anthony, and La La Vazquez were among the stars who dressed up to honor the spiritual, musical, and philanthropic legacy of the late George Harrison. Guests were treated to performances by Usher, Norah Jones, will.i.am, Jay Sean, and more. The “Fallin’” singer joined Usher and Richie Sambora on The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” and closed the night by singing “I Gotta Feeling” with will.i.am, as her mother and brother danced onstage. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Jay Sean, Photos, Swizz Beatz, Usher, will.i.am | Permalink |   Alicia Keys is teaming up with Western Union to help impact lives. The Grammy-winning songstress surprised students at her alma mater, the Professional Performing Arts School in New York, while launching the “World of Betters” initiative on Tuesday (Nov. 1). As part of the program, users can submit an entry describing how they would use $1,000 to make the world a better place. “As the co-founder of Keep a Child Alive, I constantly see that there are so many ways the world can be made a better place,” stated the “Superwoman.” “That’s why I’m so excited to work on the ‘World of Betters’ initiative and I know for a fact that there are so many people out there with amazing ideas that can show how even a small change can make a big impact.” When she’s not busy with philanthropy, Alicia has been spending her time in the studio working on her next album. “It is coming & it is SPECIAL!!” she tweeted. “I’m givin it all the Love & TIme it deserves 2 mk it the most INCREIBLE 1 YET! I got U!!” Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Photos | Permalink |   Alicia Keys is ready to take on Broadway. The Grammy-winning songstress promoted Stick Fly, the play she produced, at a photo call at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City’s Times Square today. Alicia posed with the playwright Lydia R. Diamond, director Kenny Leon, and the cast which includes actors Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Mekhi Phifer. In addition to producing, Alicia also composed original music for the production. “As someone who walked up and down this boulevard as a young girl, I cannot describe the thrill of having the opportunity of composing songs for a Broadway show,” she stated. “It’s honestly been a dream come true. I love the humor and humanity of Stick Fly, and I’m so excited to be a part of the emotional journey this show will take audiences on.” The play is centered around an affluent African-American family who gathers at their summer home in Martha’s Vineyard. But a relaxing weekend takes an unexpected turn when two sons bring their girlfriends home to meet their parents for the first time. Stick Fly opens December 8 on Broadway, with limited previews at the Cort Theatre starting November 18. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Photos | Permalink |   Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz left baby Egypt at home and stepped out for opening night of the Broadway play The Mountaintop at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City on Thursday (Oct. 13). The stylish couple posed in shades of green before going inside to watch Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson star in the Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired drama. Alicia is producing her own Broadway play Stick Fly, which opens in December. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in Alicia Keys, Photos, Swizz Beatz | Permalink |  |