Alicia
Keys
"Alicia Key's is back" and
to many of us it's like she never left. She's only 27 and has won 11
Grammy's to date. And her latest album,
As
I Am, has sold well over 3 million copies in just over three months.
She
began writing music at 14, was signed to a contract with Columbia at 16,
by 20 she came out with Songs in A Minor and
took the world by storm.When
it comes to love and soul music, there aren't too many artist that can
compare. Cream Magazine's Cordell Brown had a chance to talk to Ms. Keys.
She discusses everything her sexuality, battle with depression, protecting
her privacy and the controversial comments about "Gangsta rap".
Cream : So How are you today?
Alicia: Good
Cream: Exactly how long have you been writing music?
Alicia : I've been writing music ever since I was 14 years old.
Cream : One of your song's you say it is your sexy ever tell me about that
Alicia :I'm discovering my sexual side," This is "my
most sexual song yet ... I recorded this song � it's super simple: just
piano, Rhodes keyboard and a kick drum. It's so sensual. It moves you."
Cream : Are you seeing your producer or Swiss Beats
Alicia : That's what they've been saying for a while now, but I don't
usually address those questions.
Cream : I heard at the Nobel Peace prize ceremony you mentioned that you
found your life partner? Is that true?
Alicia : Did I say that? Yeah I did, but I don't kiss and tell.
Cream: So how are you feeling about being portrayed as a lesbian?
Alicia : Honestly, it doesn't bother me, because I'm straight. History
clearly shows that every great and strong woman has been labeled gay
at one point or other.
Cream : How well is your album doing right now?
Alicia : It has sold well over 3 million copies in just over
three months
Cream : Word has it that you will be performing with none other then the
great Tina Turner on Grammy Night. Is that true?
Alicia : I might be (Laughing)
Cream: Tell me about your comments on gangster rap
Alicia :There are so many ways everyday people as well as the government can
obliterate and eradicate the things that were and are going on in the
community. I felt that artists were forced to discuss and talk so strongly
about what they saw and how they lived everyday.
Cream : And your statements about Biggie And Tupac
Alicia : That whole thing was blown out of proportion.
Cream : So what did you actually say
Alicia : My theory is that their deadly feud was fueled by the
government and the media to stop another great black leader rising up
from the ranks. We don't know who killed Biggie and Pac, But I do feel that
if their had been more communication going on between them then they would
still be here today.
Cream : I know a lot of people who feel the same way you do.
Alicia : It's just sad that this happen to both of them because they where
such a big part of our music and culture.
Cream : I recently read somewhere that you had went through a bout with
depression.
Alicia : Yes, I was feeling sad all the time, and I couldn't shake it.
Started burying my feelings to the point where I wouldn't tell my family
or my friends, 'I'm twisted, exhausted or angry ..... I became a
master of putting up this wall so that I was unreadable." It was
tough but I had to learn to let go.
Cream : Wow
Alicia: A little secrecy can be a good thing when guarding one's love
life, but not such a good thing when it comes to dealing with
depression. I just got to a point where I blocked everyone and
everything out.
Cream : When did the "Blocking out" start?
Alicia : I was about 11 year-old. I had to deal with the pimps,
strip-clubs and drug dealers down in Hell's Kitchen. Me and My mom had a
one bedroom apartment. We were two females so my mentality was always to
protect myself.
Cream: So how was it for you when you signed your first record deal?
Alicia : I had to fend off the advances of music producers more
interested in sex than music. I was meeting all these people who just
wanted to use me or be with me. I always felt I had to be this machine
that couldn't show any weaknesses.
Cream : Do you still maintain that protect yourself mentality?
Alicia : I try to hide it and keep a smile on, but it does come and go.
Cream : So how do you handle it when it comes?
Alicia : Well recently, I pulled the battery out of my blackberry
and flew 6,500 miles across the globe by myself just to get my head
right. Because of that, I'm in a better place now.
Despite her trials and tribulations,
Alicia has found a way to deal with her fears and setbacks without
letting them consume her. She is still wonderful to converse with and
always a site for sore eyes (and oh yeah....her music isn't half bad
either. One thing for certain, as long as Alicia keeps making music she
will always be the number one soul sister in my eyes.
Story By
Cordell
Brown
