Alicia Keys Covers Complex: Talks Motherhood, Songwriting & Frank Ocean
With her fifth studio album, Girl on Fire, set to drop on November 27, it would be an understatement to say that Alicia Keys has been hot on the promo trail.
Now the latest edition to that whirlwind of press and appearances is the December/January issue of Complex Magazine. Miss Keys graces the cover and opens up inside about everything from motherhood to songwriting, and even her thoughts on Frank Ocean.
On how motherhood changed her:
Motherhood was a big part of me breaking free. Before I gave birth to Egypt, there was a certain energy of wanting to fix things. Women want to clean stuff up before the baby comes. I refused to be in any circumstance that would give negative energy to this. That was what pushed me over the edge. It was becoming a woman. I was a girl, and now I’m a woman.
On not getting too personal with her songwriting:
The whole freaking world is looking at your shit. It’s scary. I didn’t want to say every single thing because you don’t want people to know that. There’s personal and there’s public, and I deserve the right to have a personal space.
On Frank Ocean:
That was super brave and I’m so glad that he wrote it. He is the voice for so many people. We’re all boxed in to these stupid things that we’re taught is the way we’re supposed to be and it’s so ridiculous. There are so many people that need a champion to assure them that no matter who you are, you are a beautiful person. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re talented or intelligent. Thank God that we have come to this place where we can actually know and be more open to the fact that people come in all different ways. And that’s great because it’s a very boring world otherwise.
If you want to get even more in-depth with Alicia, you can read the full interview over at Complex. Also, make sure to check out the gorgeous pics from the article below, and post your thoughts!
LeanneSealy:
November 13th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
just flawless, geez.
SheSaidIt:
November 13th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
“Women want to clean stuff up before the baby comes…” – no comment
kita:
November 13th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Im sorry no matter what articles she does i still just ain't feelin her no more. the songs she has out right now are wack and she just lame to me.
kita:
November 13th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
yea like the fact that she triflin lol
Tonia:
November 13th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
She should call Krucial swiftly because this music she is coming out with as of late is mediocre at best. I’m glad she is feeling more free, but she was never hounded about her personal life like other stars because she was so respected. Once she decided to behave in scandalous ways it open the door for people’s opinions and sudden interest into her personal affairs, no pun. I wish her the best, but her constant denial of as to why people are either negative toward her or not checking for her coupled with whack music, she needs to do some deep soul searching.
Carmelle:
November 13th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
She got that pose from that Korean airline commercial. The one with
the three stuartess’ walking in slow motion. Shame Alicia
you still stealing? Lol
QueenMonie:
November 13th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Her voice or something has been off IMO(not like growth but a stranger vibe). Maybe her new stuff will grow on me idk. Btw cleansing negative energy before baby Egypt came into this world should’ve including 1 major thing before you started to date his father: Make sure he’s not married girl ..
That song girl on fire was perfect for Gabby though
Gem:
November 13th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
She looks so pretty in these pics…. her first two albums were the truth
JamieLime:
November 13th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
I really love Alicia Keys I do, but it's just photos like these that make me miss her first two album days… She is iconic, she's gorgeous in every way, but I'm lost A-Keys.
sickwitit:
November 13th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I swear I LOVE this woman I do. But I think "Girl On Fire" and "New Day" are two of the worst songs she ever wrote…..no lie. I'm not sure who she is as an artist anymore and that saddens me. Hopefully there will be a gem somewhere on this new album.
sickwitit:
November 13th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Yes! She is sounding like Rihanna with this "my personal life is personal even though i'm in the public eye" bullshit. Like nobody really gave a fuck about her personal life until she got involved in this BS.
sickwitit:
November 13th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
I hate that so many people find her lame these days. Like when she first came out she was furthest from that to me smh
britchick91:
November 13th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I really want her to make good music again her last good song was unthinkable
Daisy:
November 13th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
I like all the new songs I have heard except Girl on Fire so she is still good with me. #teamAkeys LOVE her and these pics are GORG!
kwan:
November 14th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Oh how the mighty have fallen. I want her to win but just b/c she's with swizz does not mean she has to work with him, her music lately has went triple plexiglass.