R&B songstress Alicia Keys joined her idol Stevie Wonder on stage Sunday night (May 20) in Las Vegas at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards for a performance medley that included songs like “Higher Ground,” “Overjoyed” and “Superstitious.”

Right before the performance, Alicia presented Stevie with the Billboard Icon Award, saying, “He inspired me to reach for higher places on the piano and within myself … Thank you for bringing our world so much wonder, thank you for bringing us so much joy, thank you for bringing us so much soul.”

Watch below:

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys were among the many celebrity couples who walked the red carpet together Sunday night (May 20) at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Other couples spotted on the red carpet outside the MGM Grand Garden Arena were R&B singer Monica and her NBA player husband Shannon Brown; country music sensation Carrie Underwood and her NHL player husband Mike Fisher; Lisa Marie Presley and her husband Michael Lockwood; and country singer Luke Bryan and his wife Caroline.

Take a look at the pictures below!

Some of the biggest names in music/entertainment were on hand to attend the 2012 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Celebs who posed it up outside on the red carpet included singers Usher, Justin Bieber, Brandy, Miguel, Monica and Robin Thicke; rappers Wiz Khalifa and Swizz Beatz; and many others.

Take a look at the pics below!

Lots of celebrities gathered in New York City on Monday night (May 7) at the 2012 MET Costume Institute Gala.

Some of the celebs who were spotted showing off their fashion sense on the red carpet of the big event — dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion” — included singers Beyonce, Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz, Rihanna, Solange; actress Paula Patton; Hip-Hop newcomer (and sh*t starter) Azealia Banks and more.

Check out the pics below:

Celebrity women weren’t the only ones showing off impeccable style Monday night (May 7) on the red carpet of the 2012 MET Costume Institute Gala in New York City.

Kanye West, Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Justin Timberlake, Tim Tebow, Tyson Chandler and several other celeb guys from music and sports — some pictured with their ladies — were all front and center on the red carpet of the event, which was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was hosted by Vogue Magazine’s Anna Wintour.

Take a look at the pics below:

Alicia Keys rocks a new “edgy” look as she shows up on the cover of Vibe Magazine’s April/May 2012 issue.

In the interview for Vibe’s “2nd Annual Global Issue,” the R&B singer/songwriter sits down with her husband Swizz Beatz and the two discuss how they became soul mates.

Check out the excerpt below:

“It was the craziest thing,” says Dean, leaning forward in his chair. “We had a work lunch with some people, and I get home and look in the back pocket — My credit card was in his pocket,” Keys ?nishes the story, eyes wide. “Why was my credit card in his pocket?”

One explanation might be that he’d grabbed it by accident when they split the check, but that would be too prosaic. They saw the credit card debacle as a sign, the ?rst of many. Well, second, if you count the time, 14 years ago, when they ?rst met and Dean tried unsuccessfully to get her number from his friend. “It wasn’t our time yet,” he says with a smile.

Maybe it’s the swanky lighting, the buzz from the booze or simply the glow thattends to bounce off of famous people, but now de?nitely seems to be their time. And hers, especially. At 31, Keys is among the best-selling recording artists of all time. She’s released ?ve albums, won 14 Grammys and sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

She’s now working on her sixth album, and yet she appears relaxed, approachable, easy-breezy. Of course, she’s sort of always seemed that way, even all the way back in 2001, when she was a new artist with plenty of Harlem swag (Keys’ roots are from Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y.) promoting her ?rst album, Songs in A Minor. But let her tell it and this is the ?rst time in her life when she feels comfortable in her own skin. It’s the pay off, she says, for making dif?cult choices, personally and professionally.

“Let’s just say I’ve been very uncomfortable,” she’d said a few days earlier, curled up on a squishy red sofa in a recording studio. “I’ve been brave enough to be uncomfortable.”

[VIBE]

Check out another hot shot of Keys from the issue (courtesy of YBF) below:

And be sure to look out for the full issue when it hits newsstands on April 16th!

Is Alicia Keys hiding a family secret?

The R&B singer reportedly had to pull out of a scheduled appearance on an upcoming episode of “Finding Your Roots” with Dr. Henry Louis Gates after her grandmother, who is of Puerto Rican descent, told her that she could not appear in the series without going into further detail.

According to Dr. Gates, when he first talked to Alicia about appearing on the show, she was all for it. However, he says the 14-time Grammy Award winner backed out after talking with her father’s mother.

He said in a recent interview:

Alicia Keys, who I love as a friend of mine, agreed to be in the first series, and as you know, she’s mixed. We send people a form, we need as much information as you can give us. Like the names of your parents, where they were born, grandparents etc., whatever you can give us. It makes our job a lot simpler right? Her grandmother said ‘Baby, you can’t be in the series. I can’t tell you why, but you can’t be in the series.’

[Bossip]

Dr. Gates also says Colin Powell declined to appear on his show as well, simply stating that he “had too many cousins already” to participate.

Gates has also worked with several other big name celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson, Barbara Walters, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Rock and even Condoleezza Rice, just to name a few.

Alicia Keys has a lot of diversity in her family, and would have been the first person with a biracial background to appear on Dr. Gates’ PBS series.

So it would definitely be interesting to hear more about her background, but Granny Keys sounds like she doesn’t want some dirty family laundry being aired out, or something.

Rapper/producer Swizz Beatz recently spoke with Angie Martinez and revealed that his talented wife, R&B singer/songwriter Alicia Keys, is currently working on an album that will be “timeless.”

The music producing genius explained of his wife’s next album:

“She’s working on a timeless piece. The topics that she’s speaking about are super deep and from the heart, and to me what music has been missing. It’s the thing that makes us special as an artist. I tell her, ‘Yo, I’m proud of you because you’re making timeless pieces.’”

Ever proud of his wife, Swizz, currently promoting his new single “Street Knock,” which features Hip-Hop newcomer A$AP Rocky continued in his interview, “It’s showtime. She’s moving faster than people think. She’s tightening the bolts.”

Alicia is also reportedly in the studio with her long-time collaborator Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, as well as Pop & Oak. During an appearance late last year on Good Morning America, the mother of one explained of her upcoming project, “You deserve the best and I want to give you the best, so when you hear this music you’re blown away, like you’re filled.”

Alicia’s last project was “The Element of Freedom” back in 2009.

Are you looking forward to new music from Alicia Keys?

Kim Kardashian attended her good “friend” Kanye West‘s fashion show Tuesday (Mar 6) during Paris Fashion Week, and she was wearing one of those expensive pairs of Guiseppe Zanotti heels straight from Kanye’s new womenswear line.

“I j’adore my shoes tonight!” the fashion forward reality star tweeted about her pricey pumps, which are made of calf leather and embroidered pearls, and cost about $6,000. She paired the heels with beige tights, a white top and a fur shawl.

R&B singer Alicia Keys was also spotted at Kanye’s fashion show, and posed for a quick photo with Kim.

Check out more pics below:

What do you think about Kim Kardashian “supporting” her “friend” Kanye West at his fashion show?

Funeral services for Whitney Houston were held Saturday (Feb 18) at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.

The emotional home-going service featured performances from Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and others, as well as a few words from Dionne Warwick, Tyler Perry, Clive Davis, Bishop TD Jakes, Kevin Costner and more.

Watch below:

BONUS: THE ENTIRE SERVICE (BEGINNING TO END)

Rihanna cops a feel of Katy Perry‘s leg in the front row, Lady Gaga plants a kiss on Paul McCartney‘s cheek, Chris Brown hangs out with Stevie Wonder backstage, and Lil Wayne — dressed in pajamas — sits in the audience with his daughter Reginae, while Drake kicks back with his father.

Those are just some of the candid moments that weren’t shown during the 2012 Grammy Awards‘ live telecast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday night (Feb 12)!

Check out 25+ candid shots from the 2012 Grammys below, with appearances from Diana Ross, LL Cool J, Amber Rose & Wiz Khalifa, Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz, Adele, Jennifer Hudson, Bruno Mars and others:

Alicia Keys was joined by blues icon Bonnie Raitt as the duo performed a touching tribute to the late Etta James Sunday night (Feb 12) at the 2012 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

“As we were reminded just yesterday, when the truly great artists leave us, their legacy lives on. We love Whitney Houston,” said Alicia. “And we also love another one of the great ladies of music who we lost this year, the one and only Etta James,” Bonnie added.

Avoiding the obvious song choice — the wildly popular “At Last” — the pair chose to sing “Sunday Kind of Love,” which also appeared on the same album as James’ biggest hit single.

“We love you, Etta! We love you, Whitney! We’ll never forget you,” the two said at the conclusion of the performance.

Watch below:

Some of the other celebs who walked the red carpet of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards — hosted by Hip-Hop veteran LL Cool J — included Adele, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Diana Ross, Taraji P. Henson, Adam Levine, Flo Rida, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Birdman, Tyga, Nicki Minaj and more.

Check out 50+ pictures from the red carpet of the 2012 Grammy Awards below:

Hollywood gathered on a somber note last night (Sat Feb 11) at Clive Davis’ 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the same hotel where R&B legend Whitney Houston was found dead earlier in the day.

When the sad news broke, there were reports that the annual Clive Davis event would be canceled, but Davis — Houston’s longtime friend and mentor — said that the R&B/Pop icon “would have wanted the music to go on.”

“She loved music and she loved this night that celebrates music,” said Davis, adding that Houston’s family requested that the party continue.

Some of the many celebrities in attendance at the Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Richard Branson and Diana Ross included Diddy, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Quincy Jones, Kelly Rowland, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose, Jamie Foxx, Kim Kardashian, Gabrielle Union and more.

The star-studded event also featured performances from Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Marsha Ambrosius, Wiz Khalifa, Jessie J and others. Monica and Brandy were slated to perform their new single “It All Belongs to Me”, but we’re told they were unable to because they were too devastated about Whitney Houston’s passing.

Diana Ross, who was being honored at the event, told a red carpet reporter, “I won’t be able to enjoy it,” when she was asked how she felt about being the night’s guest of honor.

“By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing,” Clive Davis said at the start of the evening. “I don’t have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn’t scheduled to perform.”

He continued, “Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on.”

Check out 40+ photos from the Clive Davis 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala below:

The 2011-12 NBA season officially kicked off on Christmas Day (Sun. Dec 25) with a number of basketball games, including the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, which was attended by R&B singer Alicia Keys, her producer/rapper husband Swizz Beatz and their 14-month-old son Egypt.

Other celebs spotted at the Celtics/Knicks game were Spike Lee, Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan.

Check out 10+ photos below:

Alicia Keys, with her supportive husband Swizz Beatz by her side, celebrated the opening night of her Broadway play “Stick Fly” Thursday night (Dec 8) at the Cort Theatre in New York City.

“Stick Fly,” an original story written by Lydia Diamond, directed by Kenny Leon and executive produced by Alicia Keys, explores parental expectations, sibling rivalry, and issues of class and race as it follows an upper class African American family vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard. Actor Mekhi Phifer stars in the play.

Guests at the big premiere last night were Taraji P. Henson, Spike Lee, Malik Yoba, Tracee Ellis Ross and others.

Check out the photos below:

R&B singer/songwriter and philanthropist Alicia Keys rounded up some of her A-List celebrity friends to join her last Thursday night (Nov 3) in New York City for her annual Keep A Child Alive Ball.

The gala, which raised $3 million for the children’s charity “Keep A Child Alive” featured appearances from Keys’ husband Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, Carmelo and LaLa Anthony, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Tyra Banks and more, as well as performances from Usher, Will.i.am, Jay Sean, Nora Jones and Alicia Keys herself, among others.

The $3 million raised will go towards providing lifesaving AIDS treatment, care and support for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Middle East.

“I am overwhelmed by the kindness I witnessed last night at the eighth annual Black Ball NY,” Alicia Keys said in a statement. “I am forever grateful to all of our supporters whose generosity will provide AIDS treatment and care for so many in desperate need.”

Look below for 30+ photos from the 2011 Keep A Child Alive Ball:

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz attended Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson‘s big Broadway debut performance in “The Mountaintop” last Thursday night (Oct 13) at the Benard Jacobs Theater in New York City.

Other celebrities spotted at the theater in support for Angela Basset and Samuel L. Jackson during their new Broadway show’s opening night were Magic Johnson (with his wife Cookie), Gabourey Sidibe, Star Jones, Tisha Campbell-Martin and many others.

Check out the pics below:

Singer Alicia Keys and actresses Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore were all smiles Monday night (Sep 26) as they posed for this picture together at the New York Screening of “Five,” which all 3 ladies co-directed.

Other guests at the event were Keys’ husband Swizz Beatz, Wyclef Jean and Gloria Estefan.

“Five,” which consists of 5 short stories about breast cancer premieres next month (Mon. Oct 10) on Lifetime. Watch the trailer and check out the pics from the NYC screening below:

Rapper Jay-Z was joined by R&B singer Alicia Keys during his performance set at the 2011 iHeartRadio Music Festival, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Dressed in all black, the duo thrilled fans as they teamed up to perform their hit single “Empire State of Mind” during the first night of the 2-night event.

Alicia Keys also performed her own solo set and debuted a new song called “A Place of My Own.” (See below)

Pics and video footage are below:

Affair rumors be damned, Swizz Beatz loves himself some Alicia Keys! And he proved just that by gifting her with a brand new car … ON HIS BIRTHDAY!

It’s a bit unconventional, but Swizzy celebrated his 33rd birthday by giving his wife the keys to a brand new, candy red Lotus sports car, worth an estimated $62,000.

But with Swizz being announced as the new VP of Creative Design and Global Marketing, he probably got it for Free 99. Still … it’s a pretty nice gesture to give someone else a gift on your birthday, right?

TV personality/designer Angela Simmons posed for photos at the Nanette Lepore Spring 2012 show during New York Fashion Week 2011 Wednesday (Sep 14).

R&B singer Omarion hit up the Style360 Presents Sachika Fashion Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion Tuesday (Sep 13).

Reality TV stars Jennifer Williams (“Basketball Wives”) and NeNe Leakes (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”) got into a very interesting conversation in the front row of the Sachika fashion show … and by the looks of it, didn’t invite TV persoality Julissa Bermudez (Left) to join them. Looked like a pretty funny convo though!

Miami Heat basketball star LeBron James hung out with designer Michael Bastain at his Spring 2012 fashion show Monday (Sep 12).

Jordin Sparks and “True Blood” actress Rutina Wesley were spotted at the Alice + Olivia Spring 2012 presentation at Highline Stages.

Angela Simmons was spotted at the Tommy Hilfiger Women’s Collection show at The Theater at Lincoln Center.

Basketball player Carmelo Anthony attended the Simon Spurr Spring 2012 fashion show on Sunday (Sep 11).

Supermodel Naomi Campbell laughed it up with Christy Turlington and Sting at the Edun Spring 2012 Fashion Show at 330 West Street.

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz showed up at the Alexander Wang Spring 2012 fashion show at Pier 94.

Teairra Mari posed on the red carpet at the Samantha Black Style360 Spring 2012 Fashion Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

And Solange Knowles and her designer mother Tina Knowles attended Total Management’s Fashion Week Party at a Private Residence last Saturday (Sep 10) in New York City.

Celebrity mommy Alicia Keys was spotted on the streets of the SoHo area of New York City with her nanny and adorable son, Egypt Dean.

The 30-year-old singer’s 11-month-old son, firmly sitting up and holding onto his stroller, looked very alert and ready to go.

Check out the cute pics Alicia & Baby Egypt below:

Swizz Beatz teams up with his wife Alicia Keys in a new video titled “International Party.”

The fun-filled collaboration will be used for Reebok Classics’ “Reethym of Lite” campaign.

Alicia Keys is loving marriage with Swizz Beatz!

The 31 year-old singer admitted to PEOPLE magazine that she enjoys their friendship. “It’s so fly. There’s something great about feeling at peace and ease with your partner and knowing you understand each other. I really enjoy that friendship,” she says.

Besides their music backgrounds, Keys says she can find many similarities between her and producer hubby Swizz. He even helps her pick out outfits for special events.

“There are so many similarities between us, it’s just mind-blowing. It’s really cool to have met my equal. I can say, ‘I’m not sure about this look for the BET Awards. What do you think?’ and I know that he will honestly tell me exactly what’s up.”

The happy couple so far appear to be a perfect match with their son Egypt, who was born last fall. Alicia still remembers their wedding as being one of the best days of her life.

“When I walked down [the aisle] and saw him, I could barely hold myself together. It was so beautiful – just about he and I and our love. The wedding was one of the best days of my life.”

These two make love so beautiful. (Tear)

Alicia Keys and her nanny were spotted taking Alicia’s son Egypt and step-son Kasseem Dean Jr. out for a walk around the SoHo area of New York City Thursday afternoon (Jul 14). The Daily Mail kinda sorta went in on her over her outfit choice

The combination of tight shorts and unflattering gladiator sandals – notorious for giving the appearance of short legs as they hide the ankles – did little for Alicia’s curvy figure. The usually svelte star is still shifting some of the excess baby weight she put on before giving birth to her son Egypt last October.

Damn. Check out more pics (including a close-up of little Egypt) below:

R&B singer Alicia Keys and her husband, rapper/producer Swizz Beatz, were spotted out in the SoHo district of New York City Thursday afternoon (Jul 7) with their 8-month-old son Egypt Dean in tow.

Ever since welcoming their baby last October … the Deans have successfully kept his face hidden from public eye (and the lense of the paparazzi). But look at him now!

Check out the pics below for a closer look:

Singer Alicia Keys, who is currently celebrating the 10-year-anniversary of her debut album “Songs in A Minor,” has been honored with her very own wax figure at Madame Tussaud’s museum in New York City and was seen admiring her likeness at the museum Tuesday (Jun 28).

“I actually think it’s really, really good!” she told MTV. “I was looking close up: It’s like my eyebrows are for real, and it’s like my eyes are for real, and the bone structure of my chin, like, ‘Look, that’s my chin! That’s my jaw. It’s incredible. It’s really incredible, and I think it’s so cool to be a part of the New York City part of the exhibit. I was born and raised here, this is my home, so it’s so perfect.”

Check out the pics below:

With titles like singer, songwriter, wife and mother already under her belt … Alicia Keys can now add “Broadway Producer” to her slew of names.

According to reports, Mrs. Swizz Beatz will take on the role of producer to Lydia R Diamond’s comedy Stick Fly as it “portrays black America in a way that we don’t often get to see in entertainment.”

“This is a story that everybody can relate to. I know it will touch all audiences who will find a piece of themselves somewhere inside this house,” 30-year-old Alicia said.

Stick Fly has already been performed in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Boston in recent years … and Alicia’s version is said to be previewed at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway on 18 November, with the shows debut to follow in December.

This just may be a good career direction for Alicia as fellow artists such as Sir Elton John, Will Smith, Jay Z and Jada Pinkett Smith have all had Broadway success with their productions.

Alicia Keys is currently celebrating her 10th anniversary in music and she performed a catalogue of her hits Sunday night at the 2011 BET Awards in her first big, televised appearance since giving birth to her son late last year. The R&B singer kicked off her set with her brand new song “Typewriter,” which led her straight into “A Woman’s Worth.”

Moments later Bruno Mars showed up opposite Keys and the duo began singing together before they transitioned into “Maybach Music” (featuring Rick Ross). Keys then closed her performance out with a rendition of her debut single “Fallin.”

Pics and video footage from the performance are below:

Here is the second batch of green carpet photos from Sunday night’s (Jun 26) BET Awards.

The Ford sponsored green carpet, setup outside L.A’s Shrine Auditorium, featured appearances from Justin Bieber, Drake, Willow & Jaden Smith, Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose, Keri Hilson, Bruno Mars and many others.

Check out over 30+ pictures from the red carpet of the BET Awards below:

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1!

The 2011 BET Awards went down in Los Angeles last night (Sun. Jun 26) … and the green carpet was JAM PACKED with celebrities! So many, that we’re going to have to split this post into 2.

Some of the big names who graced the green carpet outside the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. included Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, Meagan Good, host Kevin Hart, Eve, Ashanti, Nick Cannon, YouTube sensation “Karmin,” Nelly, Bruno Mars and dozens of others.

Check out over 30+ pictures of celebs arriving at the BET Awards below:

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2!

Anna Graceman is only 11 years old … but she wowed the “America’s Got Talent” judges with her huge voice as she sang a stunning rendition of Alicia Keys’ popular song “If I Ain’t Got You” during the Atlanta auditions.

Anna, who was voted through to the next round in Las Vegas, wowed the judges and the crowd even further when she sat down behind a keyboard and flawlessly played the song’s piano instrumental.

Watch Anna stun the AGT crowd/judges below:

Alicia Keys digs in the archives for a never released track titled “Typewriter.”

The song was recorded back in Alicia’s Harlem apartment in 1997. Take a listen below:

Still sounds new!

Legendary author/poet Dr. Maya Angelou recited an original poem, while R&B singer Alicia Keys accompanied her on the piano during the second part of Oprah Winfrey’s all-star tribute “Surprise Oprah! A FarewellSpectacular.” The gorgeous Ms. Keys dedicated her empowering anthem “Superwoman” to the iconic talk show host, who seemed to be hanging on the song’s every word.

Witness the Queen of Daytime TV enjoy her touching tribute below:

Spotted @ Alicia Keys Daily

No one says “goodbye” like Oprah!

A bunch of the media mogul’s most famous friends, including Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys and many more packed into the United Center in Chicago for “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular,” a star-studded send-off for the legendary talk show host.

Beyonce kicked off the festivities with a performance of her new single “Run the World (Girls),” which was followed by a poem recital from Maya Angelou (accompanied by Alicia Keys on the piano), a performance from music legend Aretha Franklin, an appearance from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, a performance from Usher and more. The event also featured appearances form many other celebrities, including Tyler Perry, Tom Hanks, Maria Shriver (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s estranged wife), Simon Cowell, Patti Labelle, Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes and tons more.

“Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” will air on television today (May 23) and tomorrow (May 24).

Check out tons of pics, as well as video footage of Beyonce’s performance, below:

Despite being revered worldwide for her chart topping hits, Alicia Keys has for some time now been synonymous with the word “homewrecker” since she and her now husband Swizz Beats went public with their relationship back in 2010.

According to Swizzy’s ex-wife Mashonda, Keys is responsible for the break-up of their marriage because she allegedly pursued him while the two were still married. However, after keeping silent on the matter for so long, Keys finally tells her side of the story in her cover story for the June  2011 issue of Essence Magazine.

Check out what she had to say below:

On her husband Swizz Beatz and their 6-and-a-half-month-old son Egypt:
“I was very closed for a long time. But I feel so open now. To feel open like this means you’ve found the center in yourself. You’re not hiding; you’re not worried about anything. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

On her step-children (Swizz has three kids from previous relationships):
“‘Kasseem is very present in his children’s lives. I wouldn’t be able to love him otherwise. We are doing what is best for the children.”

On Swizz’s ex-wife Mashonda’s allegations that Alicia broke up their marriage:
“We didn’t start seeing each other until months after they had separated. I was aware of all the false things that were being said about me, it definitely hurt. I was sure that if I engaged, it would become back-and-forth like some sick entertainment, which goes against everything I believe and would have made things worse.”

Source

Honestly, at this point we don’t know who to believe. There’s always three sides to every story: One person’s side, the other’s, and then there’s the truth!

Alicia Keys opens up about her new baby and her new marriage to rapper/producer Swizz Beatz in a brand new cover story for the July 2011 issue of Essence Magazine.

Check out a few excerpts (and an alternate cover) below:

On love: “Falling in love is such a force, but this is a whole other level of magic…”

On music, marriage and motherhood: “I was very closed for a long time. But I feel so open now. To feel open like this means you’ve found the center in yourself. You’re not hiding; you’re not worried about anything. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

On dedicating a song to her mom: “In the past, I’ve written mostly from my own perspective. But I just wrote a song for my next album that was inspired by a conversation I had with a man who was expressing how indebted he feels to God. He said, ‘I owe God.’ Now, what an interesting thought. And as much as I believe in God, for me that translated into how much I owe my mother for who I am. So I went home and I wrote I Owe You. It’s dedicated to her…”

Source

Prince only recently kicked off his 21-night stand at the Los Angeles Forum and already he surprised the crowd with a special appearance from the soulful Alicia Keys.

Check out the iconic duo performing their own rendition of  “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore” below:

It’s been 10 years since Alicia Keys‘ vocals first serenaded our ear drums, and Ms. Keys is treating her fans to something special to mark the event.

Her debut album Songs in A Minor will be re-released as a 10th Anniversary Deluxe and Collector’s edition. Never to do things on a small scale, Alicia will also be performing an intimate gig at the Beacon Theatre in NYC.

Rap-Up.com reports:

The Deluxe two-disc and Collector’s Edition three-disc sets, due June 28, will boast special packaging and a beefed up booklet featuring new liner notes…Additionally, the Collector’s Edition will feature a documentary created for the commemorative release. The film explores the making of the album as well as interviews with Keys and those who worked on the Grammy-winning record.

Alicia said of the milestone:

“It’s incredibly surreal for me to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of songs in A minor. Looking back on the journey, I’m truly moved by my fans and friends who’ve been with me and have supported me throughout my career. This album is possibly the most precious to me, as your first album only happens once, and so songs in A minor will always hold a special place in my life that’s filled with amazing memories.”

Be sure to grab a copy on June 28th!

You’ve probably forgotten about it by now, but Alicia Keys and Beyonce did a song together called “Put It In A Love Song.” There was also a video (that was shot over a year ago in Brazil), but it was never released … until now. Well, sort of.

While the full video has yet to be released, somehow a clip has surfaced giving us a 40-second glimpse of what could have been.

Peep the footage below:

BONUS: Check out video footage of the singers performing the song live on stage at an Alicia Keys concert below!

Alicia Keys teams up with former Ruff Ryder rapper Eve in her newest music release “Speechless”. The track was produced by Keys’ hubby Swizz Beatz….and uses the same beat from Kanye West‘s “Devil In a New Dress”.

“Speechless is a little freestyle treat 4 the holidays. It’s not a new album, not a single its something special 4 U!” The R&B singer tweeted about the track.

Check it out below:

What do you think about the song?

Today (December 1st) is World Aids Day, and Alicia Keys has teamed up with her husband Swizz Beatz, along with Kim Kardashian, Jay Sean, Ryan Seacrest and Serena Williams to promote awareness for HIV/AIDs. In honor of Keys’ Keep A Child Alive Foundation, the celebs mentioned have died a “digital” death and are posing in coffins to raise money for AIDs research to help find a cure for the deadly disease.

In addition, everyone is sacrificing their digital lives to help save real lives by not updating their Twitter and Facebook accounts until $1,000,000 is raised. Other participants in the campaign (not pictured) include Usher, Lady Gaga, Diddy, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson, and more. Once the money is raised, the celebs will “come back to life” and resume their digital lives on the popular social networking sites.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL “BUY LIFE” WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO

Billboard‘s new music column The Juice is paying homage to 50 artists/groups that have paved the way for R&B/Hip-Hop music over the past 25 years. At the top of the list is R&B singer R. Kelly, who beat out 49 other acts for the spot, including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson and others.

R. Kelly crowns our list of the top 50 R&B/hip-hop artists of the past 25 years with good reason. Since January of 1985, he’s amassed 35 top 10 hits on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (the most of any act in the time frame) and a total of 84 charting singles. Among those are 11 No. 1s, including “Bump N’ Grind” (12 weeks at the top) and “Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)” (seven weeks) with Ronald Isley. Further cementing Kelly’s hitmaker status is his staggering 11 No. 1s on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The R&B icon continued to post new chart achievements in 2010, as he notched his 56th top 40 single with “When a Woman Loves.” (Billboard)

According to Billboard, the list was based actual statistical performance on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts from January 5th 1985 up until November 6th 2010.

Hit the link below to check out the top 10 and to see who else made the cut!

Top 10:
1. R. Kelly
2. Mary J. Blige
3. Whitney Houston
4. Mariah Carey
5. Janet Jackson
6. Usher
7. Luther Vandross
8. Jay-Z
9. Freddie Jackson
10. Alicia Keys

Honorable Mention:
13. Michael Jackson
14. Ludacris
15. Beyonce
20. T.I.
21. Lil Wayne
24. Monica
27. Aaliyah
28. 50 Cent
29. Keyshia Cole
37. Snoop Dogg
38. Eminem
39. Nelly
41. Ne-Yo
45. Kanye West
46. Chris Brown

This list also includes Bobby Brown, Sade, Babyface, Gerald Levert, Stevie Wonder, TLC, New Edition, Anita Baker, 2Pac, Prince, Keith Sweat and several other R&B/Hip-Hop acts.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST

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Here are the first pics of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz as proud parents! The happily married couple welcomed their first child together into the world just last Thursday (Oct 14), and they’re already showing off their new baby, who they named “Egypt Daoud Dean.”

Alicia and Swizzy took baby Egypt for his first check-up yesterday afternoon (Mon. Oct 18) in Manhattan, and while out and about, the pair showed off their newborn in his baby carrier. After paying a visit to the doctor, later in the day, the new family (along with Alicia’s mom) browsed around the Union Square Market where they purchased baby clothes at a craft stall.

Check out the pics below!!

Ignorance may be bliss to most people, but when it comes to Alicia Keys? Motherhood is bliss!

The R&B singer/songwriter and her new husband Swizz Beatz welcomed their first child together into the world Thursday night (Oct 14). And on Sunday, three days after giving birth to her new son, the 29-year-old singer opened up about motherhood in an emotional tweet.

Check out what she said below!

Alicia and Swizz (real name: Kasseem Dean), who tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony this past July, welcomed Egypt Daoud Dean Thursday night in New York City. The little tike joins Beatz’ other three children from previous relationships and is the first for Keys.

“Much love for all the support everybody been showing but I want to shout out my Wife for being bigger then SUPERWOMAN!” Swizz Beatz tweeted a few hours after his wife.

Sounds like there’s a lot of happiness and love going around at the Dean house!

Previous reports of Alicia Keys giving birth have been confirmed by the R&B singer and her husband’s reps!

The singer and her husband, Swizz “Kaseem Dean” Beatz, “joyfully welcomed their first child,” son Egypt Daoud Dean, on Oct. 14 in New York City, reps for the couple confirm in a statement to PEOPLE.

Egypt Dean is Alicia and Swizz Beatz’s first child together, and the youngster plays little brother to Swizzy’s other three children from previous relationships (one of which from Swizzy’s marriage to Mashonda).

Alicia Keys, 29, and Swizz Beatz, 32, tied the knot over the summer in a private ceremony overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

Congrats on the new baby!!

Wow that was quick!

Just yesterday we posted newly released pictures of a VERY pregnant Alicia Keys making her rounds in New York City. And now, just one day later, we’re hearing reports of her giving birth today to a baby boy she and her husband Swizz Beatz named Egypt Dean!

According to the rumors, nurses at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City say Alicia checked herself into an exclusive celebrity/VIP section of the hospital yesterday and gave birth this morning.

Reps for Alicia and Swizz have yet to respond to the rumors, but we’ll keep you posted!!

Alicia Keys looks like she’s about to pop!

The Grammy Award winning R&B singer was all smiles as she, her massive baby bump, and her little brother were spotted making their way around the Soho district of New York City Wednesday afternoon (Oct 13).

Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz are expecting their first child together, and he should be making his way into the world any day now!! Take a gander at Alicia and her pregnant belly below:

Singer Alicia Keys and her rapper/producer husband Swizz Beatz laugh and giggle as they leave a heliport on the West Side of New York City Monday morning (Sep 6). Alicia is currently 5 months (or so) pregnant with she and Swizzy’s first child together (Swizz already has 3 children from previous relationships).

Check out a few pics of the newlyweds all boo’d up at New York City’s West Side Heliport on Labor Day below…