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Home • Celebrity

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For

There are some celebs who never stop giving back—just ask Alicia Keys, who has given an abundance of her time, money and prolific gifts to the world throughout her career and continues to open her heart. As Keys celebrates raising $4 million for families affected by HIV/AIDS at the 10th annual Keep a Child Alive Black Ball charity event, we're taking a closer look at all the gifts she's given the world and giving thanks where it’s due.
By Derrick Taylor · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Blessing Us with ‘Songs in A Minor’

It was dark, bluesy and rooted in love. Because it chronicled the ups and downs of romance, Songs in A Minor was sweet music to many. It went on to sell over six million copies and win Keys five Grammy awards in 2002.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
02
Making Cornrows and Braids Uber Popular

Who didn’t try to rock cornrows and braids with beads like Keys at least once or twice? You’d be lying if you said no!

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
03
Giving Us the Courage to Call Guys First

Sometimes a phone call is all it takes to set a love connection in motion. Keys broke the ice and made the first move in “You Don’t Know My Name,” calling Michael up for their first date, and women felt empowered to follow in her footsteps.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
04
Writing a Book of Poetry

By 2005, Keys had already established herself on the charts, and next up she conquered the New York Times Best Seller List. Tears for Water is a collection of the singer’s poems, song lyrics and journal entries.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
05
Resurrecting MTV Unplugged

After completing two hit albums and watching her fan base grow and grow, Keys decided to record a live album (which was amazing) and give the people what they wanted. She single handedly resurrected MTV Unplugged in 2005 and brought along Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley and Adam Levine too.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
06
Singing Women’s Empowerment Anthems

If the ladies of the world aren’t superwomen, they’re certainly girls on fire! Both “Superwoman” and “Girl on Fire” became international anthems for female empowerment all over the world. In both videos, Keys showed women as queens and unbreakable beings and her message was heard.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
07
Making Hats Insanely Popular

From fedoras to kangols, Keys started a mini style revolution for young women back in the early 2000s when she rocked her signature headgear unapologetically. How many hats did you have back in the day?

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
08
Producing the Broadway Play ‘Stick Fly’

Although it only lasted a about three months, the play Stick Fly was a brave endeavor for Keys and her first time as a Broadway producer. Most importantly, it depicted the Black family in a positive light on Broadway, something audiences don’t often get to see.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
09
Giving Us Two Chart-Topping Duets

Usher and Keys’ “My Boo” rested atop the Billboard charts for six weeks in 2004—making it one of the biggest singles of the decade—but, it pales in comparison to Keys and Jay Z’s “Empire State of Mind” (2009) which went three-times platinum and became inescapable.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
10
Pulling Together the Greatest Girl Group Reunion in History

In June 2008, Keys shocked the world by reuniting not one, or two, but three of the biggest girl groups of all time in the name of music. SWV, En Vogue and TLC joined Keys on stage to sing their respective hits and Keys’ “Teenage Love Affair.” It was a moment for the music history books, for sure! #GirlPower

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
11
Launching Keep a Child Alive AIDS Charity

Since its inception in 2004, Keep a Child Alive has raised over $18.5 million for kids and families affected by HIV/AIDS in both Africa and India. Each year, the charity’s annual Black Ball not only raises the necessary funds, but it honors one distinguished guest for their humanitarian efforts.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
12
Performing the Longest ‘Star Spangled Banner’ Ever

Many folks have impressively sung the “Star Spangled Banner,” but Keys’ soulful rendition was the longest in Super Bowl history clocking in at a whopping 156.4 seconds!

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
13
Penning Whitney Houston’s Comeback Song

Keys has many talents and gifts, and one of them is songwriting. She and her husband Swizz Beatz wrote and produced Whitney Houston’s 2009 comeback song, “Million Dollar Bill.”

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
14
Providing a Soundtrack to Our Love Lives

Do you keep falling in and out of love? Don’t worry. Keys wrote an anthem for that, and some. The talented songstress has five hit studio albums under her belt, and counting.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
15
Helping Us Get Reacquainted With Maxwell’s Falsetto

Maxwell’s been a staple on the R&B scene since the ’90s, but when he teamed up with Keys in 2013 on their steamy duet “Fire We Make,” it reminded us just how much we love and miss and his music.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
16
Making Bare Midriffs Hot Again

Keys makes mommyhood look sexier, leaner and more beautiful than ever before. Just check out those abs!

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
17
Creating This Adorable Little Person!

If you ask her, Keys will probably tell you her greatest work is her son, Egypt. At age three, this little one has stole our hearts on Instagram and whenever he’s out with mommy and daddy, he’s the center of their world.

17 Things We Thank Alicia Keys For
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