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“I know what it feels like to be on that stage, and I’m going to bring that vibe and energy”

“I know what it feels like to be on that stage, and I’m going to bring that vibe and energy.”

Alicia Keys killed the 2019 Grammy’s Performance with her bare hands… her two, extremely talents bare hands, playing on two grand pianos. Amazing. She stole the show as she sat between the pianos and played a composition of some well-known songs that she wished she had written. She played and sang everything from Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel and Lori Lieberman's "Killing Me Softly" to Drake's "In My Feelings," and from Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" to her own iconic "Empire State of Mind." She didn’t write them but performed them with such ease; it was a true pleasure to watch—true entertainment. She played in homage to pioneering Black pianist, Hazel Scott. Scott was an incredible pianist, singer, and outspoken advocate for civil rights. She was the first to synchronize two pianos. In the 1943 Mae West film “The Heat’s On”, she played back to back keys, switching hands in such a captivating manner. (Link to her performance found below) No, Alicia Keys performance was not as intense or impressive as the legendary Hazel Scott, however, it was still legendary. It was the first time we have seen a performance on the Grammy’s that included two pianos played by an artist back to back. The social medias blew up after seeing Alicia’s eye-catching performance. "Alicia 'Steal your man and your song' Keys," one Twitter user wrote. Some could even agree with me in saying she stole the show. "Can you imagine the HOST is here giving the best performance of the Grammys? Alicia Keys folks," another user wrote. There is no question, Alicia Keys killed it. And it wasn’t just her performance either. The superstar is a constant light of positivity, spreading love and showering other artists and celebrities with endless compliments. Even Obama was talking about her energy, tweeting, “She is one of the most genuine, caring, and thoughtful people I know—there’s no one better to help us all celebrate the unifying power of music!” And that’s the craziest thing about it—Alicia is a star, a great big famous superstar, yet she maintains a certain precious character that is reflective in everything she does. No matter if she is hosting the Grammy’s, or judging on The Voice, or singing by herself in her studio, the songstress provides an endless supply of musical enjoyment and natural peace to any who take a listen. She has a quality that is rare among celebrities. She has been in the business for decades now, and knowing this, it is easy for stars to turn sour and bitter. We have seen it time and time again, but somehow this artist upholds a true character different from the rest.

Alicia Keys will return as the host of the Grammy Awards in 2020, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. She is our century’s queen of the keys and should be regarded as such.

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Race, Ethnicity, and Nation

Growing up in the streets of Harlem, Keys has been surrounded by plenty ethnicities and nationalities—enough to lose count. She, herself, has a mixed-race background of African-American, Scottish, Italian, and Irish decent. Now, naturally, hybridity is a cross between two different races or cultures. A hybrid is something that is mixed, hybridity is simply mixture. Alicia Keys is a fine example of a hybrid of race and culture. 

There are two main types of hybridity: structural and cultural hybridization. Structural hybridity refers to the geographic locations of various social and institutional sites of hybridity, such as border city Miami, thus opening the invitation to inhabit the area with such diversity. New York, although, not a border zone, has an exceptional number of races living in each of its borough. In particular, New York City, has an estimated population of 8.54 million people. Of this estimate, it is said that forty-percent of the population were born outside of the United States. It is a cosmopolitan city like no other, one of the most heavily populated and diverse areas in the country. 

With this much variety, it is only natural for families to be more prone to settling down in a space where there are more of people who look like them. In comparison, cultural hybridization distinguishes cultural responses, such as assimilation, “through forms of separation, to hybrids that destabilize and blur cultural boundaries” (Barker and Jane 306). It is already common knowledge that the culture of one race is not bound by one tradition—cultural categories include religion, class, gender, age, etc. and, in this day and age, anything is up for grabs. In essence, hybridization mixes that which is already a hybrid. 

Alicia Keys has multiple identities that are associated with her multiple ethnicities. At the very least, she has identifications with being black, white, a woman, and advocate, and an artist. In appearance, her natural hair—with kinky curls and thick volume, stems from her African-American descent. Her freckles carry over from her mother’s European blood. In characteristics, her career as an artist and performer demonstrates her devotee of R&B/Soul. Her passion for love and world peace is represented in her love for others and global activism, also seen in her co-founded organization "Keep a Child Alive”. She draws on multiplying global resources by stressing the importance to love the qualities of those whom you do not know. She has been involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS for over twelve years and continues to nurture the organization. In 2014, Keys co-founded the “We Are Here” movement to engage and educate her audience about the opportunity that we all should have to be heard, and to be able to have that voice that we all so desperately need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7SSOoOxYBY By using her celebrity platform, Alicia Keys has opened doors for many who are affected by HIV/AIDS, or bullying, or shame for looking different, or for being a part of the LGBTQ community, to be represented in a positive manner and further transform what is our current hybrid culture; and, in doing so, Keys has set the bar for other stars to participate in the conversation.

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Girl on Fire

"Let us continue to honor all that is beautiful about being feminine. We are mothers. We are caregivers. We are artists. We are activists. We are entrepreneurs, doctors, leaders of industry and technology. Our potential is unlimited. We rise!”

On January 22, 2017, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration, Alicia Keys, along with many other celebrity activists participated in the Women's March on Washington. The march gathered over half a million people to Washington, DC, all demonstrating support of women's rights and equality for all and inspired sister marches all over the country and the world. The quote above is a statement from Keys herself, as she addresses the crowd.  

…...

Teresa Augello and Craig Cook are the parents of Alicia Keys. Teresa is of Irish, Scottish, and Italian descent, while Craig is Jamaican. Teresa was a paralegal and part-time actress, while Craig worked as a flight attendant. Alicia’s parents did not stay together for long, splitting up when Alicia was but 2 years old, so the young prodigy was raised mostly by her mother.  

Teresa exposed Alicia to jazz and classical music at an early age, enrolling her in piano lessons at the age of 7, as well as gymnastics, art, theater, and dance. At age 12, Alicia began composing her own music, however, thus perfecting her craft flawlessly. Her mother taught Alicia the importance of education, and the superstar credits her music lessons for her drive and focus. Studying famous composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin, Alicia redirected her energy to something positive that furthered her experience and knowledge of music. At 14, Alicia had completely mastered the piano, and began to create new music through sounds of Jazz. She formed a girl group with a couple of friends in Harlem, and they began playing live. It did not take long for someone to notice her crazy talents, and soon enough, she signed her first official professional contract with Colombia Records at 15 years old-- a young prodigy in the flesh. Then, having graduated high school at a mere 16 years old, and a valedictorian mind you, Alicia attended Columbia University on a full-ride scholarship. Unfortunately, but fortunate for her listeners, Alicia dropped out after just four weeks, due to her new, tightly packed schedule.  

From then on, it is history. She has killed the game in every aspect, selling over twelve million records, winning six Grammy awards, music awards left and right, you name it. Even with juggling all the fame and glory, Alicia Keys remains humble. She devotes her spare time to her children and family, to her fans and loved ones, and to complete strangers. As the co-founder and Global Ambassador of Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit organization that provides medicine to families with HIV and AIDS in Africa, Alicia is constantly working to improve the lifestyles of those less fortunate. Her compassion to advocate drives her to perform regularly in charity concerts to raise funds for several humanitarian causes. Using her voice in the most delicate way, by commemorating losses or raising awareness or simply bringing populations together, this superstar deserves the upmost respect.  

A respectable figure I wish all celebrities could model.

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The Beauty of Keys

Alicia Augello Cook, stage name Alicia Keys, is a model figure for independence, female-representation, and self-love. Her career began when she mastered piano keys, first learning classical music, then later composing her own. This hobby-like artistry turned into a lifestyle when she began her singing career in the early 2000s, coming out with songs such as “Fallin’” and “If I Ain’t Got You”, which have inspired many artists thereafter to attempt their passions in the music industry. This is when I first encountered Alicia’s music. I was young, and often listened to whatever music my three sisters were playing. We also had a piano in the house, and I was curious about playing. After listening to Alicia Keys’s music year after year, I knew I needed to try it out. Her rhythm and flow represent R&B and soul, while her raspy voice and killer notes separate her from the basic sounds. Buying her CDs and tapes, we were all obsessed. I respected her because she made music her own— it wasn’t someone else’s words or infused with auto-tuned. She made many of her songs by simply sitting down and playing what she felt.

Much of her inspiration came from her hometown, as well— Brooklyn, New York. One of her most famous songs, “Empire State of Mind”, was created to represent the big city in a positive, hopeful way. It is “where dreams are made of”, as she sings in the chorus. The song is not only catchy, but also a visual expression of the opportunities that lie within New York, for any and all people. Countless other crazy talented artists have come out of New York, rising up to the top charts. This song incapsulated the struggle of where one is from to where one can be; it is a hopeful and passionate piece of art.

From albums such as “The Diary of Alicia Keys” to “Girl on Fire”, and now her most recent “As I Am”, Keys is a firm believer in being yourself. You must be your one true competitor and supporter, for only you have the power to change. She consistently preaches about how women should hold their heads high, carry themselves with pride, and not worry about what a man, of all people, should have to say. Her emphasis on female independence and entrepreneurship is inspiring to any who have had the opportunity to listen. 

In addition to music, Alicia Keys explored acting, and honestly, should even be a model. Her natural beauty is captivating. The superstar withdrew from wearing make up a few years ago and has been more focused on skincare and true well-being. Whether it’s on the go, a television interview, or even the Grammys, Alicia Keys has maintained that “no makeup makeup” look by, quite literally, wearing no makeup. Of course, serums and moisturizers are not out of the question, as she is very religious about her skincare routine. And, as with pretty much every celebrity, Alicia Keys is highly invested in facials and lasers, which enhance that consistent glow to her skin.