"Interview"
July 23, 2001
'Songs in A Minor', the debut album from US R&B
piano-playing sensation Alicia Keys, entered the US Billboard chart
at No.1 and in the process Alicia added her name to a select list
of artists to have achieved such a feat. Last week she's proved
this was no fluke by fighting off Puff Daddy and D12 to return to
the top.
Under the wing of record industry legend Clive Davis, Alicia looks
emulate the global success of his most recent star, Dido. Alicia's
already got two UK shows under her belt and after her second show
at London's Hanover Grand - see live footage here- dotmusic caught
up with the rising star to find out all about her career and why
she's creating such a stir across the Atlantic.
Watch the video interview above (in Windows only) and read the
edited highlights below:
What was it like having a No.1 US album?
"It feels so wonderful that people heard the music, supported
it and came out to buy it. First week! They could have bought anybody
they wanted to. It feels wonderful and honoured"
What inspired the album?
"The album is inspired by life and experiences and living,
being a young woman, growing and searching. A little bit of everything.
It was definetly inspired things that have always inspired me. Marvin
Gaye, soul music from the heart. Stevie Wonder. It's just wonderful
to have it out."
What's your favourite track?
"My favourite song - it depends on the moment. Every song
is my favourite. Every song means something else or evokes a different
emotion. If I'm in need of a pick me up I'll listen to Troubles
or if I want to just want to have a good time and not think about
anything else then I listen to 'Girlfriend' or 'Jane Doe' cos it's
sassy. Or the very last song on the album that is intimate and personal
and that's special too."
You have a diverse range of musical influences...
"Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald.
Right now I've been listening to a lot of Wookie. I like different
styles of music and different writing styles"
How did you get involved with Clive Davis (record industry legend)?
"Do you want the long version or the short version? Basically
I met him through my manager and he heard my music. He was very
receptive to what I was doing and very encouraging to the fact that
I was a songwriter and producer and an artist. He encouraged me
to be an individual and who I am which people in the past haven't.
It was very refreshing."
Do you feel pressure of being seen as a prodigy?
"I won't lie. In the very beginning when I was doing a lot
of showcasing for special people I used to get nerves and I'm not
a nervous person but I realized that it was nerves of starting something
new and wonderful and no matter what to be myself was the best way
to approach it. So no I don't have a feeling of pressure because
I knew that's what he liked and that's what I liked. And that's
what worked."
Do you prefer being on stage or in the studio?
"They are equal and add up to a whole. Without writing I won't
be able to perform and they are all special. The live show is very
important and it's a true joy of mine to experience different audiences
and react with people. When I'm in the studio it's a very personal
setting and I like it that way. A lot of people tried to tell me
that the English crowd is a little conservative but I don't believe
it and that's not what they showed me."
What are you expectations for the UK?
"I'd love to come over here a lot more and experience the
UK as a whole and give my time to the UK like I have in the US.
Do a lot of shows and invite a lot of people to come and get to
know me."
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