Alicia Keys delves into the past and opens up about her career, marriage, and motherhood on the season premiere of “Oprah’s Master Class.” The R&B songbird reminisces about meeting her mentor Clive Davis for the first time and falling in love with Swizz Beatz (“He’s just bubbling over with life”), who taught her to be more spontaneous and open to life.
Before she signed with Clive, she did a deal with Columbia Records. The label tempted her with a white baby grand piano. “To me, that white baby grand piano was everything,” said Alicia. “We obviously did not do the deal for only a piano.”
But they did give her a piano, albeit not the same white one, and she still has it to this day.
Oprah also uploaded a clip of Alicia making her national television debut on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2001. Since then, she has gone on to sell more than 35 million records worldwide and win 14 Grammys.
Learn more about the extraordinary life of Alicia Keys when the episode airs Sunday, March 3, at 10/9c on OWN.
Alicia Keys kicks off season 3 of “Oprah’s Master Class.” The 14-time Grammy winner, who has been everywhere from the Inaugural Ball to the NBA All-Star Game in the past month, opens up about her passion for singing, her marriage to Swizz Beatz (“I’ve never met a person like him—ever”), motherhood, and her journey from Hell’s Kitchen to the top.
“Literally I was running from pimps and prostitutes to boom—I was on the ‘Oprah’ show!” said Alicia.
Check out a sneak peek and tune in to the full episode on Sunday, March 3, at 10/9c on OWN.
Emeli Sandé has been winning over fans and critics alike with her acclaimed debut Our Version of Events. During her U.S. tour, Rap-Up TV caught up with the breakout British sensation at her MySpace ChapStick Sessions concert at the Key Club in L.A. The 25-year-old, who is nominated four times at the BRIT Awards, spoke about the transition from the U.K. to the U.S. and writing for superstars like Rihanna and Alicia Keys.
Emeli penned “Half of Me,” which appears on the deluxe edition of Rihanna’s album Unapologetic. “When I heard it, you can really feel that she has connected to the track. I love how she’s interpreted it and made it completely her own,” said Emeli, who met the pop star during a visit to L.A. “She was really sweet, really cool.”
She also ended up writing with Alicia Keys after opening for her at Royal Albert Hall in London. “She’s such a big inspiration,” said Emeli, who co-penned “Brand New Me” and “Not Even the King.” “That was a dream come true. We really connected as people as well as musicians, so it just worked and it doesn’t always work like that.”
The U.K. darling is already plotting her sophomore album and plans to hit the studio after touring in May. “I think about the next record every day. Can’t wait to get back and write again.”
She also shared her love for American rappers including Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Drake. “His lyrics are mind blowing. I really love how he words everything,” she said of the Young Money MC.
Right now, Emeli is basking in her four BRIT nominations. “The hard work this year has paid off and to have that acknowledgement feels wonderful.”
Alicia Keys stopped by “The Wendy Williams Show” on Monday during her never-ending promo tour. The “Girl on Fire” cut loose and dished with Wendy about chopping her hair, her son Egypt, and husband Swizz Beatz.
“He’s kind of a little too ostentatious for my taste,” said Alicia, who saw beyond Swizz’ flashiness. “He really got me when I saw how far his mind went. He’s really, really intelligent and knows so many interesting things.”
She also shared a cute moment when her son Egypt put the moves on Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy. “I think Egypt kissed Blue and I don’t think Jay liked it very much. He called my husband and he was like, ‘Watch your son.’”
The 32-year-old songstress said that she wants more children, but not for at least two more years.
During a game of “Fave 5,” she revealed that Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean are among her favorite current artists and confessed to freaking out after meeting her idol Sade.
Plus, she hit the stage to perform “Brand New Me.”
Following the Inaugural Ball, the Super Bowl, and the Grammys, Alicia brought her keys to the court for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. With her hair slicked back, the Grammy-winning singer headlined the halftime show at the Toyota Center in Houston, decked out in a midriff-baring top, leather sweatpants, and sneakers while performing a 10-minute medley of her hits.
Although she was in H-town, that didn’t stop Alicia from opening with her New York anthem “Empire State of Mind” while seated at the piano.
She ignited the stage with a dancehall remix to “Girl on Fire,” accompanied by male dancers in suits, headphones, and Reebok Kamikaze sneakers courtesy of her husband Swizz Beatz.
“Help me celebrate love, help me celebrate life,” said Alicia while belting out her smash “No One” as the audience put their lighters in the air.
She closed with the empowering “New Day,” getting down with her troupe of dancers during the big finale.
The stars packed the Toyota Center in Houston for the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities during All-Star Weekend. Sunday’s All-Star Game halftime performer Alicia Keys made it a family affair, sitting courtside with her husband Swizz Beatz and son Egypt, who is an avid basketball fan.
A passionate Drake awarded a 10 to Toronto Raptors’ Terrence Ross, who went on to win the Sprite Slam Dunk contest.
2 Chainz got turnt up on stage with Fall Out Boy, Nick Cannon hosted, and Monica played correspondent for NBA.com. Following his performance, 2 Chainz snapped some pics with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Other courtside sightings included Diddy, Irv Gotti, and Spike Lee.
There’s no stopping Alicia Keys. Straight off her performance with Maroon 5 at the Grammys, the hard-working gal hit up “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Friday to perform a medley of “Girl on Fire” and “Brand New Me” off her chart-topping album Girl on Fire.
She gushed about her 28-month-old son Egypt and upcoming “Set the World on Fire” tour with the Grammy-winning Miguel, which kicks off March 7 in Seattle.
Expect to see even more of Alicia in the coming weeks. She will be a guest on the February 18 episode of “The Wendy Williams Show” as well as the new season of “Oprah’s Master Class,” premiering March 3 on OWN.
BET celebrated icons in the fields of music, literature, entertainment, media, and education at BET Honors, which aired during Black History Month.
Taped last month in Washington, D.C., the 6th annual event honored Oscar winner Halle Berry, the legendary Chaka Khan, music executive and entrepreneur Clarence Avant, spiritual educator T.D. Jakes, and Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie, with musical tributes from Brandy, Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, and more.
A barefoot Brandy staged the first televised performance of her new single “Without You” with dancer Anthony Burrell. Alicia Keys honored Halle Berry with “Brand New Me,” while Erykah Badu and Ledisi paid homage to Chaka Khan. Plus, Mint Condition serenaded Clarence Avant with their hits “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” and “Slo Woman.”
