I haven’t been an Alicia Keys fan in years, really. I remember all too well the shadiness in which she ended up with Swizz Beatz. While Alicia is not responsible for Swizz cheating on his wife Mashonda, she is responsible for how she whitewashed their relationship in the press, and for what she did to Mashonda, and what she did to Swizz’s side chicks long-term. I find it hard to reconcile Alicia’s wholesome, makeup-free earth mother image with the sleazy reality. So, no. I’m not a fan. Well, Alicia is putting out a new album, probably sometime soon. Everything is very hush-hush (like she’s Beyonce or something) and Alicia is quietly introducing new material at “private shows” in New York and LA. This is why she covers TimeOut New York: to talk about the new album and more. The “more” in this case is politics, The Voice, makeup and violence against communities of color. Some highlights:
Why she’s made her first album in four years: “It all started with uncensoring myself. We allow ourselves to become censored because we don’t want to offend people. We’ll be whoever everyone wants us to be. I didn’t want to be that anymore. This was the first time I created music with such intention. Coupled with the fire that’s in the world is the inescapable fire in myself.”
Taking the role on The Voice: “To be the first black woman coach—a producer, a writer, an arranger and the crafts maker of my career—sharing that experience with people who want this is one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.”
The battle to be heard: “It’s an imperative time to be loud. We’re not going to be silenced. All of us are battling wars: sexism, ageism, racism. We’re fighting the war of borders. We’re fighting a war as women. As a black woman raising black sons, I’m seeing so much systemic racism exploding in our faces. These days you have to be afraid to be killed just because you’re black! It’s devastating. Outrageous statements are made out of fear and hate. The intolerance is not acceptable. It’s ancient and patriarchal. The way to propel our country forward is not by building walls. Anyone that thinks that is out of their mind.”
Why she’s going makeup free: “I promise you I had no idea that it would be such a touchstone. I was just sharing this revelation: I realized I’d been covering up in so many ways. What if I don’t want to put on makeup, heels, get all dressed up?” She talks about standards of beauty imposed on us all from a young age. “We’re trying to break out of our inherited stereotypes and misinformation. It’s screwing us all up. I’m trying to work on loving myself the best that I can.”
Something nice: I like that her message is one of inclusion, that she wants to fight against sexism, ageism AND racism (as opposed to “or”). And if she wants to get more political with her music, so be it. Perhaps the Beyonce comparison is apt – after years of apolitical pop music, Beyonce has gone majorly political in the past few years, and her contemporaries have taken note. I hope Alicia’s new album is actual music and not just uncomfortable slam poetry though.
As for Alicia becoming the bare-face of the makeup-free revolution… if that’s her thing, so be it. I’ve said before that I don’t wear makeup either, but it’s not a political statement for me, it’s just laziness (plus I have oily skin). I did want to share this link to what Chimamanda Ngoziadichie says about makeup, femininity and power though, just to play devil’s advocate.
Photos courtesy of TimeOut NY, WENN.
I Actually LOVE that second Outfit ( sans Escort) … also Whatever Chimamanda says FOREVER dovetails Nicely with The Amal Clooney Coverage/Sniffing
Re the NY mag article linked: “High heels help you with your posture.” I think she needs to check out photos of Duchess Kate and reevaluate that statement.
I understand her point, but I’m not buying it. I used to—and was very active in my chosen battles—but ultimately I found that maintaining that confrontational attitude was turning me into a bitter, unkind, narrow-minded person. And I did not want to be that person.
So I’ve let a lot of things go, and in the process have become much more tolerant and responsive to people as individuals instead of the groups they are, through no choice of their own, part of. If someone wants to dismiss me just because I’m an older white cis woman, it’s their choice, not mine…
She sure wasn’t “censoring” her cha cha when she was showing it to Swizz while he was still married.
he didn’t have to look at it. stop blaming the women. he was married. he broke vows. she didn’t.
dude calls himself “Swizz Beatz”. “Lil Watch” was already taken or what?
Oh he is to blame too. But this article is about her. They both are jerks for it.
please they are equally to blame. she very much knew he was married and pursued, as did he. they are both disgusting.
I agree with @anna. Get over it everyone. Ok, he cheated with her. I’m sure his ex moved on. So we should too. It has nothing to do with her music.
I love Chimamanda but good God what is she smoking. High heels are awful for posture. They force you to arch your spine so that your boobs are pushed forward and your ass backwards which is great for the male gaze but terrible for your health. She is right that traditionally female interests are derided e.g. romcoms are garbage but action movies are not but I dont think that has a direct fit on the makeup discussion. The question with makeup (and high heels) is whether women use them because they feel compelled to or because they sincerely choose to. Also, how the exisisting beauty ideal is built for male visual pleasures at the expense of womens wallets, skin and spinal health.
um, i know many woman, including myself, who LOVE how we look in heels, and love wearing them, even if they can take getting used to. it doesnt matter what a man may think, though sometimes it may come into my head that “oh, maybe hubby will really dig this style” i love how IIII look in make up, i dont wear it often because i dont need to and my hubby doesnt need it, but i will when i want to.
I’m with you Kaiser. It’s hard for me to take her feminism BS seriously knowing she was screwing around with a married man. He’s no prize either and is just a culpable as she is. And the fact that she seems complicit to like tha other way when he had another baby with another woman when they were together.
She has a gift of giving the world music. And who in this in this world has never made choices for happiness that didn’t hurt another person. People forget we are all just people on this planet trying to live our life’s and strive for happiness. Bottom line she is a great performer.