Alicia graces the cover of latest Essence magazine issue.

Hip-hop may be dead, but R&B is alive and kicking with artists Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Jill Scott holding it down

Rounding up three multiplatinum, Grammy-winning chart-toppers is no small feat, especially when they�re stationed in different cities and different time zones. Did we mention that one of them was on tour (Mary), one had just come off tour (Jill), and the other was between tours (Alicia)?

(more…)

It’s Mother’s Day! So authors Stephanie Hirsch and Hannah Seligson have turned the tables and let those who created some of New York’s shining stars celebrate their children. Here’s a stroller down memory lane from their new book, “Mother Nurture: Life Lessons from the Mothers of America’s Best and Brightest,” out now.

From Alicia’s mom Terri: ”There was a moment between the age of 13 and 15 when she told me she just didn’t want to do anything. And she just wasn’t happy with the world. I don’t know what heaviness had come over her, with puberty and everything else. You never know. So she said, ‘Please, Mom, don’t bother me. I barely want to go to school.’ We worked it out, we talked and she got herself together and ended up graduating at age 16 as a valedictorian of her high-school class.”

Had Alicia Keys kicked her piano bench to the curb?

It was eight songs into her set on Sunday night at Arco Arena, and by that time Keys had shimmied with her dancers, belted through “You Don’t Know My Name” and even taken a break while her back-up singers plowed through “Lady Marmalade.” All that was missing so far was something she’s best known for: playing the piano. (more…)

Alicia performed in Las Vegas, Nevada last night at the MGM Grand. Check out the pics.

*Essence’s annual “Black Music Month” June issue features a special triple-cover tribute to the Queens of R&B–Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys. In the article Ladies First, they talk about how they’re still holding it down and dominating the charts. This month’s issue also features the Essence Summer Music Hot List, a guide to summer releases, gadgets and concerts, including the 2008 Essence Music Festival.

Q: You had to cancel a few of those shows earlier. Is everything back to where it should be?

A: Everything is spectacular, perfect. You know I did get a little bit under the weather. It sucked. Believe me, if anybody was disappointed, it was me. It’s a terrible feeling to not be able to sing to my full capacity, but it’s very important for me to protect myself.

I’m definitely in this for the long haul, and there’s nothing I’ll do to damage my voice ever. So it was important for me to take those two and just make sure I was 100 percent instead of singing on strained cords. And now I’m back, back, back, back, back. (more…)

Alicia has just been added to the lineup of Hot 97’s Summer Jam. The show is going down June 1st at Giants Stadium. You can buy tickets here.

Tomorrow Alicia will be on the Ellen show. Alicia Keys will pop in. We’ll talk about her current tour, those marriage rumors, then Alicia will perform “Teenage Love Affair” from her hit CD, “As I Am!” Check your local listings for showtime in your area.

I’ve added HQ pictures from the last night show in Los Angeles. So far I like this outfit the most. She looks great! x17 Agency reports that even Britney Spears came to see Alicia live

Alicia was seen leaving a dance studio in Los Angeles just before her show.