Inside Look @ Alicia Keys

by

Mike & Amy Nappa

FAST LOOK:

Barely in her twenties and with only one major-label album to her credit, Alicia Keys is already an R&B/pop heavyweight and music entertainment’s “next big thing.”

INSIDE SCOOP:

On June 26, 2001, 20-year-old Alicia Keys released her debut album, Songs in A Minor, on newly formed J Records. Later that same day, it had already sold an astounding 50,000-plus copies.

Five days after that it had sold a quarter-million copies and landed squarely in the number 1 spot on the album charts.

Three short months later it had gone triple-platinum (selling more than 3 million copies) and, thanks to a bevy of appearances on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Keys had become a household name.

A native New Yorker, Keys attended a prestigious performing arts high school there, where she studied classical piano and majored in Choir. After graduating at 16, she briefly attending college before pursuing music full time. Heralded for creating a unique blend of hip-hop, classical, gospel, and soul music, she released Songs in A Minor only four short years later. Her blues-style, world-weary, passionate vocals only added to the poignancy—and appeal—of lyrics about love and sorrow.

Keys’ creativity and talent have won her many fans, among them a number of Christians. The artist is not hesitant to proclaim a faith in God, even thanking “the Most High” for  “all your blessings” in the opening line of her album acknowledgments. Additionally, her songs often echo positive themes such as respect for women (“A Woman’s Worth”), faithfulness in tough times (“Fallin’” and “Rock Wit You”), and God’s ever-present help in time of trouble (“Troubles”).

Keys is not without her detractors, however, who note that for every positive aspect of her music the artist also seems to have a negative. While giving respect to God, she also exhibits a casual use of profanity that can be offensive, in songs such as “Piano & I” and “A Woman’s Worth,” and in her album acknowledgements. Colloquial use of a common racial slur against African-Americans also pops up more than once (in “Girlfriend” and “Jane Doe”). And several songs, though not explicit, are sexually suggestive and endorse a casual attitude toward extra-marital sex (such as in “Mr. Man” and the Prince-penned, “How Come You Don’t Call Me”).

In the final analysis, some would say Alicia Keys is a talent whose shortcomings are easily overlooked and whose music is appropriate for teens and their parents. Others would recommend families pass over Songs in A Minor and enjoy artists with less “baggage” instead. As always, however, that’s a decision your family must make for itself.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT _Alicia Keys:

 “Hip-hop hottie. Piano virtuoso. Chart ruler. [Alicia Keys] is all that and more.”

—Anthony Bozza, Rolling Stone magazine

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“We are witnessing a legend in the making and a classic to go down in history.”

— Tivoes Palmo, on Amazon.com

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“Cut from a similar cloth as Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, [Alicia] Keys scores points for decent themes, then loses them for inappropriate language. If she can overcome this and other Minor problems, her next release could be an unqualified winner.”

— Bob Waliszewski, Christian music critic

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“Ms. Keys is a talented pianist and has a lovely gospel voice, however her songwriting lacks sophistication.”

— Josie Hallinan, on Amazon.com

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“Aretha Franklin and James Brown had real things to talk about and feel in their hearts, and that’s the kind of music that flows through me.”

—Alicia Keys

LOOKING INSIDE…:      

Use these questions to spark family discussion about Alicia Keys:

---What’s your first impression of Alicia Keys? What gives you that impression?

---Some would say that, compared to many other popular artists, Alicia Keys use of profanity and sexual suggestiveness is mild, and therefore appropriate for mature family members. Do you agree or disagree with that opinion? Why?

---Alicia Keys claims a faith in God. As such, do you believe she is a positive role model for other Christians? Explain your answer

---How do you think Christians should be praying for Alicia Keys? How can your family act out those intentions in prayer this week?

[SIDEBAR]

If members of your family like Alicia Keys, then you may want to check out:

---Talk About It by Nicole C. Mullen (Word Records).

A former backup singer for Amy Grant—as well as the voice behind that jammin’ Larry-Boy theme song (of VeggieTales fame)—Nicole C. Mullen came into her own with her multiple Dove Award-winning, self-titled debut from Word Records. Her sophomore album, Talk About It, features superbly-crafted R&B songs that reflect influences as diverse as gospel, funk, soul, hip-hop, and jazz. Lyrically this album deals with topics similar to those addressed by Alicia Keys, but is infused with Mullen’s uninhibited focus on Christ and His influence in real-world struggles and joys. Highly recommended.

---This Is Your Life by Out of Eden (Gotee Records).

The newest record from Christian music R&B pioneers. As usual, this one features stunning R&B harmonies over a fusion of hip-hop, gospel, and pop music. Made up of three sisters from Detroit, these steel-city divas hold their own against anybody—without shying away from making noise about their Christian faith. Other solid Out of Eden choices are their albums, No Turning Back and More Than You Know (both from Gotee Records).

[END]

[BIO LINE] Mike & Amy Nappa are renowned cultural commentators, best-selling and award-winning authors, and creators of the Internet magazine for families, www.FamilyFans.com