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

Your thoughts?

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…

Swizz Beatz‘ ex-wife Mashonda is still talking about the behind the scenes foolishness that went down with her relationship and it gets weirder and weirder every time she brings up something new. This time, Mashonda is speaking out against her ex-husband’s brand new wife Alicia Keys, and talking about how the R&B singer/songwriter asked their 3-year-old son Kasseem Jr. (along with Swizzy’s newfound daughter) to call her “Umi,” which means “Mommy” in Arabic!

A.KEYS DID WHAAAAATTT?!?!

Yup, that’s right! Your favorite “Super Woman” actually asked her husband’s young children (and her step children) to call her MOMMY! Mashonda talks about that and more in her cover story for the October issue of S2S Magazine. Check out a few snippets from the feature below:

On Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’ affair

S2S: Were you guys dating other people before he got with Alicia? Were you guys separated?
Mashonda: We were married. Sleeping in the same bed and having sex every night while he was seeing Alicia. Okay? It was an affair. 100 percent. I don’t know why people want to change that rule so much. We had just had a kid, for crying out loud. Our child was 8 months. I found out about Alicia two days before my son turned 1. They had been doing their thing for months before that.

On Alicia asking Kasseem Jr. to call her “Mommy”

S2S: You said that Alicia wanted your baby to call her “mommy”. How do you know that she said that?
Mashonda: My son told me.

S2S: And you told her that is not going to happen?
Mashonda: Yeah. I sent her an email and asked her to please respect what I am to him and it’s not right for her to think that is okay. She never replied. She doesn’t reply to me. She has never given me that respect.

S2S: What does Swizz say?
Mashonda: He said okay, he would stop it. He wouldn’t let her do it.

S2S: That would be kind of confusing for the child.
Mashonda: Oh, it is. It is so unfair to the child. I have been in contact with the little girls mother (the woman in England who has Swizz’s baby). She’s a young girl. She’s a spiritual girl. She apologized to me… I don’t even judge her. I can’t. She’s totally different than the other one. This other one knew. Alicia knew about me 100 percent. Swizz introduced me at prior events. They were signed to the same record company. She knew. And I emailed her and asked her to stop doing what she was doing and she disregarded me. Just like she disregarded me when I asked her to not have my son thinking it was okay to call her “umi.” You’re not his umi. You just met my son.

S2S: “Umi” is like “mommy”?
Mashonda: “Umi” means “mommy” in Arabic. I’m like no. And then after I spoke to the lady in London, she told me that she tried to get her daughter to call her “umi” as well.

S2S: She’s met the lady in London?
Mashonda: Yes. I’m glad she’s having her own child now because now she will have someone to call her “umi”.

S2S: Wow.
Mashonda: Like, if you want to be a stepmother, that’s great. Be a stepmother. But don’t think that it’s okay to make a kid call you “umi” or “mommy.”

On why she’s still talking about Alicia & Swizzy if she says she’s moved on

Mashonda: People ask me why am I still talking about this and why don’t I just leave it alone. I’m like, this is going to help somebody. My story is a universal thing. This is not just something that only happened to me: This happens to women every day. Mine was just ugly. If I can help the next woman get through and be positive, then I’m going to talk about it.

WOW!! We can’t believe Alicia Keys would actually do something so low down and dirty! You are NOT those children’s mother, you are their STEP-MOTHER. Learn your role and just be patient for that seed of yours to make its arrival. Then you can have him/her calling you “Umi” or “Mommy” or “Mammy” or whatever you want all damn day long…

The crowd at this weekend’s Rock the Bells festival on Governor’s Island in New York City were on the receiving end of a special treat Saturday evening (Aug 28) when Lauryn Hill brought out A-list celebs like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Chris Rock and more to say hello during the “Fu-Gee-La” finale at the end of her set.

“It was love back. Love back. Love back,” Hill said later in her trailer about the parade of stars. Outside, Busta Rhymes — who was a guest performer of A Tribe Called Quest — came and said hello to her kids. “Reciprocity. It was wonderful to see everybody. I was so touched. I wanted everybody else to share in that moment. I wanted everybody else to see them.

Source: MTV News

Peep 10+ pics below of Lauryn Hill and her friends at the Rock the Bells concert in NYC Saturday night, and continue reading for the video footage!

Expectant newlyweds Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz shared their honeymoon with Queen Latifah and her girlfriend Hollywood trainer Jeanette Jenkins aboard a yacht called “the Obsession” off the coast of France.

Alicia showed off her baby bump in a bikini as the couples were spotted relaxing aboard the boat and enjoying each other’s company Wednesday afternoon (Aug 4). Paparazzi nearby even managed to snap a few pics of Jeannette grabbing the Queen’s junk as the two shared an embrace on the balcony of the boat.

Check out 10+ pictures of Alicia, Swizzy, Queen Latifah and Jeanette having a couple’s retreat on the Obsession off the coast of St. Jean Cap Ferrat, France below…

Photos: Just Jared

Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys was spotted maxin’ and relaxin’ poolside in Corsica, France just before her Mediterranean wedding Saturday (Jul 31). Here she can be seen in a bikini showing off her 6 month baby bump as she hangs out with her friends (along with her mom Teresa Augello) before slipping into her beautiful white Vera Wang dress for she and Swizz Beatz‘ wedding.

Later in the day, the expectant couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony in front of family friends, including Bono and Queen Latifah at a private home just off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. After the ceremony, the couple, due to have their first child together in November, and their wedding guests jumped on a boat to continue the celebration.

Check out a few pics of Alicia Keys hanging out at the pool and enjoying the Mediterranean sun shortly before saying her “I Do’s” and becoming Mrs. Beatz below…

Feast your eyes on the very first “official” picture of the new Mr. Kasseem and Alicia Dean!

As we reported yesterday, singer Alicia Keys and producer/rapper Swizz Beatz got hitched over the weekend (Sat. Jul 31) and exchanged vows in a small ceremony in a private home on the Mediterranean Sea. Swizzy’s oldest son Prince Nassir served as the groom’s best man.

Our original story said that Swizz and Alicia got married on a yacht off the coast of France, but after digging a little deeper, we found that the boat was just a part of the celebration and not where the actual wedding ceremony was held.

We also rounded up a fair number of pictures from the wedding for your viewing pleasure, which you can check out below…

Hip-Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs threw an M&M’s Green Party Tuesday night (Jul 27) in New York City to honor Ms. Green – America’s favorite M&M’s character at M&M’s “Party Like Diddy” Meet & Greet at the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

Will.i.am, Apl.de.ap and Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas pose in the VIP Bacardi Room at their after party at Muzik nightclub in Toronto, Canada.

The cast of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” (L-R): Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola, Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni “J-WOW” Farley and Angelina “Jolie” Pivarnick got the rare (and questionable) opportunity to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday morning (Jul 27) in NYC.

Looks like they just let ANYBODY walk up there and ring that bell these days, SMH…

Actress turned TV personality Whoopi Goldberg was honored by Gray Line New York’s Ride of Fame Campaign Monday (Jul 26) in New York City and was presented with her very own custom sightseeing bus.

Dru Hill paid a visit to BET studios in New York City to record an episode of 106 & Park.

Model Amber Rose, pictured here with Jill Zarin from the Real Housewives of New York City, hit up the opening day of the 2010 Mercedez-Benz Polo Challenge at Blue Star Jets Field in Bridgehampton, New York Saturday afternoon (Jul 24).

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys were unsuccessful in their attempts at being pictured together Saturday evening as they attended Russell Simmons‘ 11th Annual Art for Life benefit party at the mogul’s East Hampton Estate in New York.

The pair even brought along Swizzy’s oldest son Prince Nassir.

And Miami Heat newcomer LeBron James threw up the Roc (or the “Illuminati pyramid” depending on who you ask) as he hosted a party at TAO Las Vegas at the Ventian Hotel and Casino in Nevada.

According to sources, singer Alicia Keys and producer Swizz Beatz will be tying the knot this weekend! The Hollywood couple recently announced back in May that they were engaged and will be expecting their first child together sometime later this year. And now, sources are revealing that the couple are set to get married this weekend.

One source is saying that the wedding ceremony will take place in the Caribbean.

“We’re being picked up in Miami and then we’re going to the Caribbean. I don’t know exactly where, but it’s very exciting.”

Reps for Alicia and Swizz haven’t spoken out on the matter. However, if true…we know that it will be a beautiful wedding! (Hehe…)

Swizz Beatz‘ ex wife Mashonda is finally opening up after months of drama and chatter surrounding Swizz leaving her to be with Alicia Keys, who is also pregnant with his baby and has his engagement ring on her finger. Mashonda told Vibe that it was important for her to have a sit-down with Alicia to see where each other was coming from, mainly because Alicia was going to be around her son and she wasn’t fond of having folks she doesn’t know around her kid.

Up until now, no one knew that Mashonda and Alicia Keys had a sit-down to talk about the situation and what-not. Here’s what Mashonda told Vibe:

Vibe: I know it was very important for you to sit down with Alicia if she was going to be around your son. Safe to assume that happened?
Mashonda: When I wrote her that Twitter letter everybody wanted to say things like ‘Oh, what do you need to meet her for? It’s not her problem, it’s Swizz’s.” I’m like, ‘You have a kid, go through what I went through and then talk to me.’ I’m not having my son around anybody I don’t know. I don’t give a [fig] who you are and how much money you have and what management he’s going to be under when he visits you. I need to see you and I need you to see how serious I am about him. And that’s what happened. We had to sit down, and I told her how I felt. I didn’t mention anything else, it was all about my son and it was fine after that. I’m not going sit and talk to [them] about what happened between the three of us. This is about my son.

We are glad to see that Mashonda and Alicia Keys were able to talk in person and get some things straight. At this point, it is what it is.

READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW @ VIBE.COM

After R&B singer Alicia Keys took a little tumble on stage last weekend while she was performing at the 2010 Essence Music Festival, folks were pretty worried about her and her unborn child. But a publicist for the Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter tells AOL Black Voices that “Alicia and baby are fine and all is well.”

Her rep also cleared up reports that the Essence Festival was one of Keys’ last gigs before she takes off for maternity leave saying that the EMF was actually her last scheduled performance for the summer, which is probably a good thing. Alicia, who is engaged to rapper/producer Swizz Beatz, will have her baby in the early fall.

The couple announced their engagement and pregnancy back in May shortly after it was announced that Swizz Beatz and his estranged wife Mashonda had finalized their divorce.

We’re just happy Alicia is finally going to sit down and get some rest. Pregnant women and the ground should are never a good combo…

Alicia Keys had a slight mishap during her performance Saturday night (Jul 3) at the 2010 Essence Music Festival, held in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome over the past weekend. The singer, who is more than a few months pregnant, took a small fall while performing one of her songs but was able to pick herself up and keep on singing as if nothing ever happened. Fortunately, both Alicia and the baby are fine!

Check out the video of Alicia’s fall below:

Here are some more photos from this year’s BET Awards, which were held in Los Angeles this past Sunday (Jun 27) . Check out 20+ pictures below of celebs like Trina, Gucci Mane, Toccara Jones, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Soulja Boy, Gabourey Sidibe, Ciara, T.I. and many more arriving on the red carpet before making their way into the Shrine Auditorium to check out the show…

MORE PICS @ FREDDYO.COM

Singer Alicia Keys may be pregnant, but that’s not about to slow her down just yet. Last night at the 2010 BET Awards, Keys took the stage to perform her singles “No One,” “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart,” and “Unthinkable (I’m Ready).”

But what really shocked viewers was when Alicia jumped on top of a piano during her tribute to music legend Prince, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award. Keys also was named “Best Female R&B Artist” and won best collaboration with Jay-Z for “Empire State of Mind”.

Click below to check out the performance:

“NO ONE” / “TRY SLEEPING WITH A BROKEN HEART” / “UNTHINKABLE (I’M READY)” MEDLEY

“ADORE” PRINCE TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE

R&B singer Alicia Keys (and her growing baby bump) hit the stage at Rumsey Playfield Central Park in New York City this morning (Fri. Jun 25) for a performance on ABC‘s “Good Morning America.”

Her set included songs from her latest album The Element of Freedom: “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart,” “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)” and “Empire State of Mind (Part II).”

Check out the pics below and continue reading for the video footage of all of Alicia’s performances…

“TRY SLEEPING WITH A BROKEN HEART”

“UNTHINKABLE (I’M READY)”

“EMPIRE STATE OF MIND  (PART II)”

If any of you feel like Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys‘ plans to get marriage is a joke, you probably should stop thinking that, because the taboo couple’s marriage has been blessed in South Africa in a traditional Zulu ceremony. While in town for Alicia to headline the World Cup kick-off concert in Soweto, the singer and her fiance traveled to Durban and participated in a ceremony to have their marriage and unborn child blessed. Continue reading for the details…

Alicia Keys and fiancé Swizz Beatz have fallen in love with South Africa. So it’s appropriate they have had their impending marriage blessed in a traditional Zulu ceremony. The hip-hop couple traveled to the city of Durban and donned Zulu clobber and sang songs under a fig tree, dubbed “the healing tree”. Alicia, who is five months pregnant, also had the couple’s unborn baby blessed. The pair were in South Africa to headline the World Cup kick-off concert in Soweto.

Even though there were some questionable things that went down “behind the scenes” for them to be able to get together, we wish them well and hope that they have a healthy child. No matter how much you may hate this relationship and how it came about, the truth of the matter is, in order for the two of them to endure all of the scrutiny they went through, they really must love and care about each other. So it looks as though Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz aren’t going anywhere, for now at least. So get used to it! (LOL)

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