Alicia Keys unlocked

With 12 Grammys to her name and celebrity fans in the form of Bob Dylan, Whitney Houston and Jay-Z, Alicia has certainly packed a lot into her 28-years. However, unlike some of her contemporaries, the only thing she plays hard is her piano; her upcoming fourth studio album tells the tale of a woman reassessing her life and making time for herself. Hopefully she’s won’t be keeping to herself too much though – who wouldn’t want to feast their eyes on this stunner? Luckily Playboy had the chance to catch up with the American songbird about what she has planned…

Playboy: You’ve just been in Las Vegas playing with Justin Timberlake? How was that?

Alicia:  An amazing night. Justin was just fantastic and it was really, really, really exciting to be there alongside Taylor Swift, Jay Sean and Snoop. The energy was great and the show was for a great cause (all proceeds from the show went to the Shriners Hospitals for Children).

Playboy: So how have things been since your last album As I Am?

Alicia: When I came home after touring my last album, I was finished. It made me reassess my life and how I needed to see the people I love. I realised I had to rebalance everything.

Playboy: Is that what your new single Doesn’t Mean Anything, is about?

Alicia: Having everything in the world doesn’t mean anything without love in your life. Achieving things is great and reaching your goals but life is just so precious and you have to make the most of it.This was feeling I had going into making my new album The Element Of Freedom and it just made the whole experience pleasurable and the music just flowed. I was just way more laid back.

Playboy: What is the Element Of Freedom in your album title?

Alicia: The freedom was the process making this album where I let everything flow to find new sounds and new ways of singing. There was even a freedom in not trying too hard.  I wanted it to be fun. Before we started I called everybody and said: ‘I want to work a strong four days and take the weekend off. Let’s have some type of balance’.
 
Playboy: How does this album compare to your other work?

Alicia: I definitely feel like it’s more experimental.  There’s just more of a confidence in it.  And even with the whole way that I’m approaching my life, my business and my creativity - I’m more confident in who I am.
 
Playboy: You started writing music at 13 - have you always known what direction you wanted your career to go?
Alicia: Because I started out so young I got used to people telling me what to do but they soon found out I had an opinion. There’s nothing that drives me more crazy than someone telling me who I am or what to do.  I’ve always known what I want and don’t want. It’s the same if anyone tries to pigeonhole my music. I say ‘don’t tell me who I am, you don’t know who I am’.

Playboy:  The Element Of Freedom includes Empire State Of Mind Part 2, a sequel to your collaboration with Jay-Z. Tell us about working with him…

Alicia: Working with Jay was great and the song is spectacular. When I told him my ideas he said he was feeling it and we just connected. It’s so exciting to put together a song about the city I was born and raised in and to make it like an anthem the whole world can feel.  I love the energy that’s behind it. I’m really happy as it’s a great track for him and for me.
I’ve always been a fan of Jay-Z and I always wondered if we’d get the chance to do something. I wish I’d had the chance to do something with Biggie. He is another from my hometown and I would have loved to do something with him. Aaliyah too and also Ray Charles but sadly they are no longer with us.

Playboy: Tell us about working with Whitney Houston on the track Million Dollar Bill.

Alicia: I feel very honoured to have worked with her. We met at a party. She came up to me and said how much she loved my work and how she would love to get together and work on something. I was like ‘Wow, okay’.  So I was thinking about it and trying to figure out how to pull it together - and then over time, the song Million Dollar Bill kind of worked itself out.  I though it would be great for her.  To have a song that feels so fun and triumphant.
When we got into the studio she was fantastic.  We just clicked, clicked, clicked.

Playboy: Bob Dylan name-checked you on Thunder On the Mountain the opening track of his album Modern Times? Have you since met?

Alicia: No, I’ve still not. Isn’t it crazy that I’ve never met him? But then what would I do if I did meet him, I’d just say ‘Hello’.

Playboy: You starred in films Smokin' Aces, The Nanny Diaries and The Secret Life of Bees. Do you have any more acting plans?

Alicia: I’m doing a lot of production and development on different films and television at the moment rather than acting.  Right now we’re working on a television series with NBC and we’re also working on developing a film with Miramax, so it’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff right now. I’m continuously looking for different, interesting parts that I could act in - it’s just finding the right part.

Alicia Keys’ single Doesn’t Mean Anything is out on 30 November followed by her album The Element of Freedom on 14 December.

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