Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com » Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys And Bonnie Raitt Set For Etta James Tribute At The Grammys

Becky Bain — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:23:41 +0000

The late, great Etta James, who died last month at the age of 73, will be honored with a special performance during the 2012 Grammy Awards. Though many artists have contributed stunning covers of James’ classic songs, Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt have been chosen to tribute the iconic singer during the telecast. We have no doubt Keys and Raitt will deliver a memorable performance, but we must stress the importance of avoiding to spray-tan tight before the show.

Can’t get enough Grammy Awards news? Follow @idolator on Twitter for the latest Grammys updates, predictions and photos. Plus watch along with us as we live-tweet the show starting at 5 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 12!

Will.i.am Taps Britney Spears, LMFAO & More For ‘#willpower’

Becky Bain — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:54:19 +0000

Will.i.am went hard with Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger, but there are plenty more guest stars lined up for his forthcoming solo album #willpower. The Black Eyed Pea recently revealed quite an impressive list of collaborators — his “Big Fat Bass” lady Britney Spears, as well as Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Swedish House Mafia, Shakira, LMFAO and Busta Rhymes. Oh, and there’s more: “I made this song with Nicole Scherzinger that you would never expect,” he said, explaining that his collab with The X Factor judge may only be released online. “It’s classical music.”

Emeli Sande North American Dates Announced, “Next To Me” Video Premieres

Robbie Daw — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:22:34 +0000

Following the 2012 BRIT Awards, where Emeli Sande will be the recipient of the Critics’ Choice Award and is also up for British Breakthrough Act, the pop-soul singer will be heading to North America for a handful of live appearances. Scottish-born Sande is set to perform at two private showcases, in New York and Los Angeles, before offering up three gigs to her fans on this side of the pond in early March. Head below to catch the dates, and to watch Emeli’s video for new UK single “Next To Me”.

Emeli Sande — ”Next To Me”

North American live dates

02/27 — New York, NY, The Box (private showcase)
03/01 — Los Angeles, CA, Hollywood Forever Cemetery (private showcase)
03/02 — San Francisco, CA, Café du Nord
03/05 — Minneapolis, MN, Dakota
03/07 — Toronto, ON, The Drake

Sande’s debut album Our Version Of Events will be released in the UK on February 13, and in the US on June 5. While readying her first LP for public consumption, Emeli has also been writing material with Alicia Keys for the “No One” singer’s next album.

Keys co-wrote and produced the track “Hope” for Sande’s debut.

Obama Would Like Fergie, Adam Levine & Lea Michele’s Endoresement

Idolator Staff — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:25:53 +0000

Is Obama a huge Maroon 5, Glee, and Black Eyed Peas fan? Maybe, maybe not — but he does want their endorsement on his 2012 re-election. The Commander-in-Chief already has stars like Lady Gaga on his team, but that didn’t stop him from releasing a “wish list” of celebrities he’d like on board as he bids for a second term. Amongst names we might easily expect to find here, such as B.o.B., Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys, there are such diverse acts as Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, the Jonas Brothers, Janelle Monae, Ricky Martin, Regina Spektor, and Vampire Weekend. (Kelly Clarkson was apparently already spoken for.) Check out the full list of names below.

will.i.am
Marc Anthony
Arcade Fire
India Arie
B.o.B.
Sara Bareilles
Bebe
Chris Cornell
Counting Crows
Robert Cray
David Anthony
Eric Robertson and the Boston Boys
Fergie
Jay-Z
Josh Groban
Bruce Hornsby
Jack Johnson
Jonas Brothers
Alicia Keys
Jewel
Lady Antebellum
Ledisi
John Legend
Adam Levine
Ricky Martin
Chrisette Michelle
Lea Michele
Bette Midler
Janelle Monae
Penn Masala
Esperanza Spalding
Regina Spektor
Curtis Stigers
The Band Perry
The Roots
Train
Vampire Weekend
Wilco

And these are just the musicians! This list comes courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, which notes that Lady Antebellum has already passed on this (and any) endorsement.

Clearly the President is trying to cover all his musical bases! We are curious to see how many of these acts actually take Obama up on the offer, though…

Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name”: At Your Request

Erika Brooks Adickman — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:24 +0000

What better way to wrap up your work week than with a fresh installment of At Your Request? Today’s episode features an old (but timeless) ditty from the glamourous Alicia Keys. Watch below as we cook up a fact-filled episode so delicious, we makes Bobby Flay envious (we assume).

Alicia Keys’ 2003 hit “You Don’t Know My Name” is the order of the day and it comes courtesy of @AmandaHarlech. This track gave the “International Party” hostess her third #10 hit, and scored her a Grammy win for Best R&B song. The track was also included on the New York native’s first live album Alicia Keys Unplugged which was recorded for MTV Unplugged. The track was written by Alicia, Kanye West and Harold Lilly — who collaborated with Yeezy again on Brandy’s “Talk About Our love”, which features the rapper.

For more At Your Request head here.

Check back with us next week as we dish out more fancy musical facts to the song of your choosing. And while we try to flag down the waitress to order the special with hot chocolate, give us your requests. Don’t be shy! Just jump on Twitter (#AtYourRequest), Facebook or simply comment below.

Be sure to give us the artist, song title and why it’s your personal pick.

Alicia Keys Sparkles At The Keep A Child Alive Black Ball (PHOTOS)

Erika Brooks Adickman — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:59:49 +0000

Alicia Keys dressed down this year for her 8th Annual Keep A Child Alive Black Ball at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The Glamour cover girl strutted down the red carpet alongside "International Party" collaborator (and hubby) Swizz Beatz before taking stage for her charity event, with additional appearances by Mary J. Blige and will.i.am. Check out Alicia in a glittery top and white blazer and tell us how you think it compares to last year's black gown. More »

Alicia Keys Composing Music For Broadway

Becky Bain — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:01:41 +0000

Truth be told, when we first heard Alicia Keys was composing the music for a Broadway show, we started imagining a chorus line kick-lining to Keys’ “No One”. But it looks like we’ll have to keep waiting for a proper Alicia Keys jukebox musical, as the artist is simply composing music for the new play Stick Fly, which she’s also producing. “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 said. Watch her discuss the play below.

[Via Vulture]

Alicia Keys Debuts “A Place Of My Own” At iHeartRadio Music Festival

Idolator Staff — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:11:14 +0000

Is there a bigger class act in the business than Alicia Keys? Not really. The “Typewriter” singer hit the star-studded iHeartRadio Music Festival last night with a set including a number of her past hits such as “No One” and “Empire State Of Mind Part II.” But perhaps the real treat was when the W cover girl announced she was trotting out a brand new song for her fans — “A Place Of My Own.” In keeping with what we expect from Alicia, it’s a powerful and inspirational piano number about inner strength. Let Alicia invite you to share a place of her own in the live footage below.

Do you find “A Place Of My Own” as beautiful as we do?

Nicki Minaj Brightens Up ‘Glamour’ Magazine (PHOTOS)

Erika Brooks Adickman — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:19:10 +0000

Alicia Keys may be on the cover of Glamour, but it's Nicki Minaj that's having all the fun in her photo shoot in the October issue. The America's Got Talent performer's spread for the lady mag is fierce, frisky and far more fashionable (in our opinion) than what the fly girl sported on the VMA red carpet. Check out her Minajesty in full Barbie mode and tell us which shot of the "Super Bass" raptress you're digging most. More »

Alicia Keys Covers ‘Glamour’ Magazine

Erika Brooks Adickman — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:47:12 +0000

Alicia Keys was generous enough to share the cover of October’s Glamour magazine with Demi Moore and Jennifer Aniston. The philathropic pop star has added another charitable cause to her growing list of causes; teaming up with two of Hollywood’s leading ladies on a breast cancer awareness film series for the Lifetime network called Five. Below peep the international party girl’s cover shoot and hear what the 30-year-old had to say about marriage, her son Egypt and American Idol.

Alicia on AI: “I used to watch American Idol a little bit. My grandmother sucked me into it, and I was like, ‘Why am I watching this, Nana?’ Initially, I felt like it was showing people that to be an artist you’re just supposed to get on TV. But as time passed, and the industry changed, I started thinking of it as an outlet for people who otherwise wouldn’t have any opportunity to be heard.”

On life-changing her trip to the Middle East: “I was tired and I had overworked myself and burnt myself out. So I went to Egypt by myself. When I saw what was built there, it made me understand how powerful we are, that we can create anything. And I felt like I needed to create things that were timeless too.”

The BET Awards performer on her relationship with hubby Swizz Beatz: “I think…my favorite word and the most important word when it comes to relationships: equality.”

For more from the New York diva head here.

And don’t forget to tell us what you think of Ms. Keys’ cover below.