According to the RIAA, Songstress Alicia Keys is now a certified diamond artist, thanks to her classic NYC anthem with Jay-Z “Empire State Of Mind”.
As of yesterday(July 24), Keys earned the certification along with Jay-Z, whioc has sold over 10 million units since its 2009 release.
Keys tweeted, “Empire is diamond!!!!!!!!,” as Roc Nation made the formal announcement.
This marks Keys’ first Diamond single and Hov’s third. His first came in 2023 with his Kanye West collab, “N***as In Paris” from their 2011 joint album, Watch The Throne. His second came back in May when Rihanna’s “Umbrella” achieved the feat.
In his last appearance on Vlad TV, Boosie sided with the internet, questioning the onstage embrace between Usher and Alicia Keys are they performed “My Boo.”
Hitting Instagram, Boosie revealed how he felt: “@USHER ENOUGH IS ENOUGH BRO!! U NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO [SWIZZ]. SHE MARRIED MY NIGGA. I KNOW THAT WASN’T PLANNED.”
“Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing 2 amazing Giants!” Swizz wrote. “Congrats @usher and my love @Aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history.”
“Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing 2 amazing Giants!” Swizz wrote. “Congrats @usher and my love @Aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history.”
Now you know Boosie Badazz would have an opinion. Boosie sided with the internet, questioning the onstage embrace between Usher and Alicia Keys are they performed “My Boo.”
Hitting Instagram, Boosie revealed how he felt: “@USHER ENOUGH IS ENOUGH BRO!! U NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO [SWIZZ]. SHE MARRIED MY NIGGA. I KNOW THAT WASN’T PLANNED.”
“Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing 2 amazing Giants!” Swizz wrote. “Congrats @usher and my love @Aliciakeys that song is a classic. We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history.”
Alicia Keys will reportedly join Usher during the Super Bowl halftime performance. According to TMZ, eyewitnesses have seen Alicia Keys rehearsing with Usher inside Allegiant Stadium, signaling a performance of “My Boo.”
Additional rumored guests include Justin Bieber, Ludacris, and Lil Jon. Luda and Lil Jon are featured in an Apple Music film hyping the performance. Apple Music dropped the Where’s Usher? film earlier in the year.
In addition to the aforementioned hip-hop stars, Taraji P. Henson stars in the film. Also making cameos in the film are J Balvin, Anderson .Paak, Wesley Snipes, and more.
You can see it below.
Usher is hitting the road to celebrate his illustrious 30-year career and the release of his upcoming album Coming Home. Following the success of his Las Vegas residency, the global icon will embark on the Usher: Past Present Future tour, produced by Live Nation.
The 24-city tour kicks off on Aug. 20 at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC, with stops in major cities, including Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Atlanta, before concluding in Chicago on Oct. 29.
Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Verizon presales, offering exclusive access to cardmembers and Verizon customers. Additional presales will follow throughout the week, with general on-sale beginning on February 12 at 10 am local time on LiveNation.com.
Fans can also elevate their concert experience with VIP packages, including premium tickets, meet-and-greet opportunities with Usher, pre-show VIP lounges, and exclusive merchandise.
Usher’s tour promises to celebrate his iconic career, featuring his signature smooth R&B tracks and electrifying performances. With the anticipation building for his new album release, fans can expect an unforgettable experience at every show.
Alicia Keys is set to captivate audiences with a Broadway show centered around her own life. Titled Hell’s Kitchen, with new arrangements of her biggest hits and original songs, the Grammy-awarded singer-songwriter’s Broadway debut is eagerly anticipated.
‘Hell’s Kitchen’
The announcement of Alicia Keys bringing her life story to Broadway has sent excitement throughout the entertainment industry. Keys made the revelation during a Public Theater fundraiser, where she shared her joy in fulfilling her ultimate dream. She stated:
“We get to announce the ultimate dream — the dream that my mother chased from a little girl, that brought her here, which is the reason why I’m here, which is the reason why this city raised me, and the reason why I can even tell this story.”
Alicia Keys Musical 'Hell's Kitchen' to Open on Broadway This Spring https://t.co/YOf2iXMSdd
In addition to her groundbreaking venture into Broadway, Alicia Keys continues to explore new opportunities outside of her musical abilities. Most recently, she filed a trademark for her upcoming teas, aptly named ‘Alicia Tea.’
Alicia’s Story
Hell’s Kitchen offers a glimpse into a chapter of Keys’s life as a 17-year-old growing up in a New York housing development surrounded by artists.
The story follows the protagonist, a girl raised by her single mother, as she discovers her love for piano and grapples with an attraction to an older man. Despite the challenges of a gritty neighborhood, she yearns for independence and self-expression. The musical explores themes of resilience, passion, and inner strength.
Directed by Michael Greif and choreographed by Camille A. Brown, the downtown cast boasts a talented lineup. Maleah Joi Moon takes on the protagonist role, while Shoshana Bean portrays her mother. Brandon Victor Dixon plays the absentee father, and Kecia Lewis shines as the piano teacher.
Exclusive Songs?
The Broadway cast has yet to be announced, adding to the anticipation surrounding the production.
Featuring newly arranged versions of Keys’s chart-topping hits like “Fallin’,” “Girl on Fire,” “No One,” and “Empire State of Mind,” the musical promises to be a captivating blend of nostalgia and fresh interpretations. Additionally, Keys has penned several new songs exclusively for Hell’s Kitchen, showcasing her prowess as a songwriter beyond her iconic discography.
Collaborating with playwright Kristoffer Diaz over the past decade, Keys has meticulously crafted a narrative that resonates with her personal experiences. Opening night is scheduled for April 20, 2024, at the prestigious Shubert Theater, where the show’s first preview is set for March 28.
A Tribe Called Quest Goes To Broadway
The fusion of R&B and hip-hop with Broadway is not a new concept. Q-Tip, a member of “A Tribe Called Quest,” is making his mark in the theater world as the musical producer, co-lyricist, and cast album producer for an upcomingBroadway musical, based on the late and great Muhammad Ali.
The incomparable Alicia Keys joins Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 to discuss the 20th Anniversary of her Grammy-winning multi-platinum sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. She opens up about collaboration over the years, dives into the process of creating ‘Diary’ fresh off the heels of her Grammy-winning first album, and reflects on how she kept that momentum going. Keys also opens up about how her husband Swizz Beatz helps her celebrate her wins and shares how Clive Davis has impacted her career.
“I’m reflecting back to “The Diary of Alicia Keys”. I’m reflecting back to this being my second offering to the world. There was so much that changed for me. There was so much that was different than it had ever been before in my life. Obviously a girl born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen in Harlem, never had travelled like that. You don’t travel like that. Where do you go? You go to Jersey. Maybe you’re going to get to Connecticut. There’s not really a tonne of places that I had gone at the time, but thanks to the Songs in A Minor. I travelled the whole world.” -Alicia Keys
The incomparable Alicia Keys joins Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 to discuss the 20th Anniversary of her Grammy-winning multi-platinum sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. She opens up about collaboration over the years, dives into the process of creating ‘Diary’ fresh off the heels of her Grammy-winning first album, and reflects on how she kept that momentum going. Keys also opens up about how her husband Swizz Beatz helps her celebrate her wins and shares how Clive Davis has impacted her career.
“I’m reflecting back to “The Diary of Alicia Keys”. I’m reflecting back to this being my second offering to the world. There was so much that changed for me. There was so much that was different than it had ever been before in my life. Obviously a girl born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen in Harlem, never had travelled like that. You don’t travel like that. Where do you go? You go to Jersey. Maybe you’re going to get to Connecticut. There’s not really a tonne of places that I had gone at the time, but thanks to the Songs in A Minor. I travelled the whole world.” -Alicia Keys
Last night marked the sensational kickoff of Alicia Keys’ highly anticipated KEYS TO THE SUMMER TOUR in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In a groundbreaking move, the 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist performed in a unique 360-degree “in the round” production setup, providing fans with an unprecedented and immersive concert experience. Working closely with Creative Director Diane Martel and production designer Chiara Stephenson, known for their work with renowned artists, Keys crafted a visually stunning concept and stage design for the tour.
In a show of technological innovation, Keys has partnered with Shazam to offer her devoted “AK Fam” exclusive content throughout her global tour. By scanning a QR code, fans attending her concerts worldwide can access curated exclusives, including backstage videos, set lists, tour photos, watch faces, wallpapers, and more. This collaboration marks the first time an artist has joined forces with Shazam to deliver content across an entire worldwide tour.
Following her spectacular opener, Alicia Keys will continue to captivate audiences on the KEYS TO THE SUMMER TOUR, with upcoming stops in Tampa, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Chicago, and more, culminating in a grand finale at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles on August 2nd.
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KEYS TO THE SUMMER 2023 TOUR DATES: June 28 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – FLA Live Arena June 30 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena July 2 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center July 3 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena July 5 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum July 7 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena July 9 – Boston, MA – TD Garden July 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center July 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center July 14 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena July 15 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse July 17 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena July 18 – Chicago, IL – United Center July 20 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center July 21 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center July 23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center July 24 – Austin, TX – Moody Center July 27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena July 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center July 30 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena August 1 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena August 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The KIA Forum
Last night marked the sensational kickoff of Alicia Keys’ highly anticipated KEYS TO THE SUMMER TOUR in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In a groundbreaking move, the 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist performed in a unique 360-degree “in the round” production setup, providing fans with an unprecedented and immersive concert experience. Working closely with Creative Director Diane Martel and production designer Chiara Stephenson, known for their work with renowned artists, Keys crafted a visually stunning concept and stage design for the tour.
In a show of technological innovation, Keys has partnered with Shazam to offer her devoted “AK Fam” exclusive content throughout her global tour. By scanning a QR code, fans attending her concerts worldwide can access curated exclusives, including backstage videos, set lists, tour photos, watch faces, wallpapers, and more. This collaboration marks the first time an artist has joined forces with Shazam to deliver content across an entire worldwide tour.
Following her spectacular opener, Alicia Keys will continue to captivate audiences on the KEYS TO THE SUMMER TOUR, with upcoming stops in Tampa, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Chicago, and more, culminating in a grand finale at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles on August 2nd.
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KEYS TO THE SUMMER 2023 TOUR DATES: June 28 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – FLA Live Arena June 30 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena July 2 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center July 3 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena July 5 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum July 7 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena July 9 – Boston, MA – TD Garden July 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center July 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center July 14 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena July 15 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse July 17 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena July 18 – Chicago, IL – United Center July 20 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center July 21 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center July 23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center July 24 – Austin, TX – Moody Center July 27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena July 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center July 30 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena August 1 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena August 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The KIA Forum
