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This week we flash back to an interview with songstress Alicia Keys who, at the time of the interview, was about to release her third studio album, As I Am. Here, the multi-talented star talks about getting back on her feet following the death of a loved one and exhausting workload.

Going through a tough time can either make you or break you. Thankfully, it was the latter for Alicia Keys. The past year presented a few lows for the talented singer and musician, most notably the death of a loved one and an excessive workload, which resulted in general exhaustion. But a well-deserved break– and plenty of rest– gave the New York-born songstress time to get back on her feet and get her mind right.

Now, she’s back feeling stronger than ever and is gearing up to release her new album, As I Am. Since emerging onto the mainstream music scene back in 2001 with her debut album ‘Songs in A Minor’, Keys has established herself as a musical force to be reckoned with. Combining powerful vocals with her impressive skills on the piano, Keys is a well-respected artist, who has also displayed diversity, having collaborated with artists from rapper Mos Def to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine to dancehall star Babycham. Last year, she also made a foray into acting, starring alongside rapper Common in the action flick ‘Smokin’ Aces’. On a recent trip to the UK, multi-talented Keys spoke to YV about music, marriage and maintaining her modesty …

Are you enjoying your time in the UK?

Oh yeah. I went to Camden yesterday. It reminded me of this place back home called The Village. It's very eclectic and you find all types of things and people there. Then I went to Primrose Hill and I was just chilling. People are really nice here.

Does the title ‘As I Am’, suggest that this is a very personal album?

Definitely. All of my albums are very personal but I really tapped into a lot of emotions with this one.

I went through a lot of self-discovery.

Do you put pressure on yourself to make each album better than the last?

There's always pressure for me because I always wanna lead the pack with something new. I always wanna stand out like a sore thumb and do things differently. I think that music speaks volumes and I think we're all under-nourished with something when it comes to music. I wanna try and fill that void.

How does this album compare to your last studio album (2003’s ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’)?

The process of making each album was quite different. I let go a bit more with this album and didn’t try to control every little thing. With the last album, I think I probably did a little too much. I pushed myself over the edge a little and it took me a while to recover from that. I did a lot of touring with that album and from that, I went straight into shooting the movie, ‘Smokin’ Aces’. It was an amazing experience but it wasn't until I got home that I realised I was totally exhausted.

Did you get a chance to rest at that point?

Actually, when I got home, somebody close to me got really ill, and I was the one that was really caring for her. So that was another stressful time. During that time, I wasn't sleeping well and I started putting unnecessary pressure on myself because I knew I'd soon need to start working on this new album. It was a tough time. But that period taught me so much. The person I was caring for has since passed away and I know that if I hadn't stopped when I did, I would have been so regretful. After that, I went away to Egypt and had a break. That really refreshed me and I came home feeling really empowered.

You do come across as feeling empowered! Is it that feeling that inspired the track on the new album called Superwoman?

Yeah, definitely. But also a sense that even when you’re not feeling at your best, you can still be a superwoman. All at a sudden, these lyrics came to me: “Even when I’m a mess/ I still put on a vest/ with an ‘S’ on my chest”. I was like, ‘yeah, I’m gonna use that!’

You’re recognised as an artist who’s never had to rely on skimpy outfits in order to gain success. Is that something you’re proud of?

That's always been important to me. When I was starting out, everyone was so glamorous and fabulous and larger than life. And I always felt like, damn, who's like me? So I always wanted to represent people like me. That's not to say I've never been persuaded to do things I've looked back on and regretted. But you live and you learn. I just think there's so much beauty and sexiness that we have naturally as women. And I just find it so much more intriguing when we can be sexy and sensual without being trashy. We don't need to show it all!

Do you have any more films in the pipeline?

The next one is called ‘The Nanny Diaries’ with Scarlett Johansson. It's totally different to ‘Smokin’ Aces’, where I played a bad girl. This time, I'm a good girl– kinda bohemian.

You’ve been dating producer Kerry ‘Krucial’ Brothers for some time now. Any plans for marriage?

Nah, I'm chilling on the aisle thing. I'm still young. But I'm in love and I'm happy.

Published: 23 December 2009
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