Word is that Alicia Keys is launching a new company, AK Worldwide, that will house her non-music related projects, according to the Associated Press.
Her first undertaking is The Barber’s Daughters, a handcrafted jewelry line with messages of hope and wisdom, sort of like blinged-out fortune cookies.
“The words, when you read them, they really do resonate with you,” she told AP. “They kind of inspire you to want to find that place in yourself.” One silver oval ring’s message reads: “May you find inspiration and meaning soaked in the wonders of the imagination cradled in compassion of the heart and hold a will to make difference.”
Additionally, she will pay a respectful nod to inspirational women and causes on her new site, iamsuperwoman.com, which also shares the title of one of her singles from her upcoming fourth album, “The Element of Freedom,” scheduled for a December 1 release.
“It really calls out to all those brilliant, amazing, fantastic women every day that are doing their thing and need kind of a community to support each other,” she said.
The debut single, “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” addresses the emptiness of success when there’s no one to share it with, while the second single, “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart,” is described by Keys as “mean, mean, mean,” she said.
Keys reunites with musical partner Krucial for this album and says her entrepreneurial spirt was inspired by the queen of all media Oprah Winfrey.
“Why do I love Oprah? Because she’s able to bring you things that will really change your life,” Keys said. “They’re part of your life in a meaningful way, and those are the things I want to be apart of.”–KNB