Alicia Keys took a brief-break from cooking up new material from her forthcoming LP to perform an intimate gig for MTV Upfront.
During her rousing et, Mrs Swizz Beats debuted a freshly recorded cut titled ‘Not Even A King’. With anticipation high and competition fierce, can Alicia deliver? Grab the first taste of that answer after the jump…
Hmm.
Your thoughts?
44 COMMENTS
KAT DELUNA FAN
April 27, 2012 at 10:19 am
boring
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Reno
April 27, 2012 at 10:21 am
Alicia needs 2 sit the F!! Down & first release that freakin video she did with KING BEE 10 years ago ….!!! ( Or what u scared BEE was takin all ya shine innIt ???! )
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POP ROYALTY ( RUDE BOY)
April 27, 2012 at 10:21 am
Not even a king ?!
why part of me feel like this is a shade to beyonce ” known as King B in her fans cycle” ?!!
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Shioniedoo
April 27, 2012 at 10:25 am
I like it. Very pretty A. keys
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REL
April 27, 2012 at 10:26 am
********* FIRST BITCHES *********
DIE HARD ALICIA STAN AND SHE DID NO WRONG WITH THIS. LOVE HER PIANO BALLADS.
SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY WIFE, SWIZZ JUST MET HER FIRST. DAMN SHAME.
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ASAP (As Sincere As Possible)
April 27, 2012 at 10:33 am
It sounds beautiful. I’m excited for her new album. It’s real music, much like the often slated ‘TEOF’.
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wmtproductions147
April 27, 2012 at 10:38 am
She’s never really gets it for me live, but as an artist she’s on another level! Once I hear the finalized track then I’ll decide if I like it or not! Either way, Alicia doesn’t have to be scared of Beyonce, they are two completely different artist! Not everyone is thinking about Queen B although she be making them up their game!
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stan
April 27, 2012 at 10:41 am
it sounds decent, but i can’t really judge it based on this performance. i have to hear the final studio track.
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JohnVidal (RIPWhitney-true great)
April 27, 2012 at 10:44 am
We know she has not the best of voices but she makes such great music (yes she herself) so a new album from artists like her is always good news. Music needs it more and more
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CH
April 27, 2012 at 10:56 am
Alicia’s only competition is Adele as they make the same music, that said, thats BIG competition.
This song is nice I bet it will be beautiful on the cd.
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Bey Fan
April 27, 2012 at 10:59 am
Hard to judge off this performance. But I honestly dont think A Keys is great live singer. She is very talented, but when she sings live, its a hit or miss….mostly a miss.
But shes beautiful and talented….no denying that
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Man-TAK-eee
April 27, 2012 at 11:03 am
Yaaawwn, sounds like a ballad from the 90′s. Need a better than alicia. She’s just not that good, period. A better vocalist would do it justice. Stick to songwriting.
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virtuoso intellect
April 27, 2012 at 11:19 am
Reno
April 27, 2012 at 10:21 am
Alicia needs 2 sit the F!! Down & first release that freakin video she did with KING BEE 10 years ago ….!!! ( Or what u scared BEE was takin all ya shine innIt ???! )
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i dont think that video is gonna see light of day anytime soon. Apparently Clive and his people saw the finished product and weren’t just having it. They couldnt afford to have Alicia outshined in her own video. i hope it leaks though
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cant watch the video as I’m in college but the title is interesting. she needs to come out with it already though, she’s been premiering songs live since last year
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t-blaze
April 27, 2012 at 11:21 am
NO MATTER WHAT UPLIFTING SONG SHE WILL LIE ABOUT…I STILL SEE HER AS A HOMEWRECKER THEY VERY THING THAT IS WRONG WITH WOMEN ESPECIALLY AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN….IN MY EYES IF WOMEN WOULDN’T DEAL WITH UNEDUCATED MEN THERE WILL BE NO UNEDUCATED MEN, IF WOMEN WOULDNT DEAL WITH MEN WHO WEAR THERE PANTS SAGGING OFF HIS BUTT- THEN THERE WILL BE NO MEN WITH SAGGING PANTS………..SAYING ALL THAT TO SAY IF THERE ARE NO TRIFLING WOMEN WHO SLEEP WITH MARRIED/ SEPARATED MEN THEN THERE WILL BE NO INFIDELITIES…SHE DONE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN OR CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE MUSIC YOU SING…..BE HONEST WITH YOUR FANS AND FIRST AND FOREMOST BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. YOU AND MASHONDA DESERVED BETTER THAN WHAT THAT UGLY MONGRILLED HAS TO OFFER…
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virtuoso intellect
April 27, 2012 at 11:22 am
@CH
I disagree. Alicia’s music helms primarily from R&B. Adele is moreso AC/ soul pop.
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kingphoenix
April 27, 2012 at 11:35 am
@Top Loyalty (Bottom Life)
Really gurl, you know Beyonce and Aiicia been friends since way back…your so bitchy and this is the reason why I call you a girl, because you “act” as though you are a Beyonce fan and don’t shade her when in actuality your a fake as trick….At least i own up to my shit.
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MOBWIFE
April 27, 2012 at 11:36 am
I like A Keys and this song is good but it sounds like a few other songs she has already recorded. IMO
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POP ROYALTY ( RUDE BOY)
April 27, 2012 at 11:45 am
my comment was for fun. nothing more !!
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MOBWIFE
April 27, 2012 at 11:51 am
@Reno
I think Alicia and Beyonce are in two completely different lanes! Alicia is more known as a songwriter and pianist while Bey is primarily known as singer and dancer. There is enough room for both to shine IMO!
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AalexisR
April 27, 2012 at 11:52 am
Brilliant. Very pretty melody and there is a familiarity about it. She sounds great. I dunno what you people are going on about.
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King Tasha
April 27, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I didn’t even attempt to listen to the song but the title got my attention..can someone reassure me if this is a subliminal track towards her “friend” King Beyoncé? Lol
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Sean
April 27, 2012 at 12:39 pm
HATERS GON’ HATE. ALICIA IS AMAZING. RELAX YOUR BATTYS NAH MON.
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YOOSONDALOOSE
April 27, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Love it, so beautiful.
Can’t wait for this album!
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Kim
April 27, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Absolutely cannot wait for the new album. This is giving me life right now. Alicia will certainly not be lost in the pac, She is waaaaaaaay ahead of it. Her album is highly anticipated. What a beautiful voice, and human being.
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Chitownqtee
April 27, 2012 at 1:28 pm
All I see is a********** HOMEWRECKER********** No longer a Fan*
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Girrrl
April 27, 2012 at 1:42 pm
Alicia needs singing lessons stat. No reason for her to sound that terrible and I’m over the cloche lyrics. Come harder Alicia! !!
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Sandy
April 27, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Wack! Now come on AK! This ain’t gone cut it!
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CeeJaye
April 27, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Alicia can sing way better than Rihanna, that’s for sure.
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aishaaguilerakeys
April 27, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Sam, Alicia has no competition besides herself- she’s in a league of her own. Her voice is perfect, but the sound quality no bueno, so I can’t judge the song.
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Theman
April 27, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Alicia has a beautiful tone. She sounded really good here. When she doesn’t go over the top she’s really good. Her music doe well regardless of who releases whatever. This songis beatiful.
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JER
April 27, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Another boring Alicia Keys song.
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Gilberto
April 27, 2012 at 3:54 pm
I want a new album!!! Alicia >>> Adele.
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Stephen
April 27, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@Ceejaye: even though she can sing better than Rihanna, the comparison wasn’t necessary because it’s kind of an insult to be comparing an artist like Rihanna to Alicia
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Boopi
April 27, 2012 at 4:55 pm
It sounds good. It reminds me of an Elton John song. Can’t wait for her new album!
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MH
April 27, 2012 at 5:08 pm
I really can’t wait until she releases another album. Her music is beautiful and timeless. She truly reminds me of a modern day Stevie Wonder.
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truth.com
April 27, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Love Alicia Keys. She’s an awesome artist. Trust she’s here to stay timeless music! I wish Mashonda stay off these bogs and do something with her life… BITTER WOMEN!!!!
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CH
April 27, 2012 at 7:20 pm
@virtuoso intellect
Listen to Adele then listen to A.Keys they have very similar sounds. The only reason Adele doesnt get labelled R&B is beacuse shes white, same with robin thicke i constantly see him being labeled pop.
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Anita
April 27, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I can’t understand all the words, but from what I did understand , it is very beautiful and definitely NOT boring. Alicia is keeping it real. Love this lady so much. Can’t wait for the new album.
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The-Truth
April 27, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Try again. Alicia is So last decade, she is one of those artists that really soars and peaks in one particular decade but loses it afterwards.
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Anne
April 27, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Sounds nice but does not sound like it will move up the R&B chart. Would be a good filler or late release.
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LAX
April 27, 2012 at 10:53 pm
TIME FOR HER TO HIT THE STUDIO AND COME HARDER….SHE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT
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Anita
April 27, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Last decade? NOT! If anything, Alicia has always been a step ahead of her time. That’s why she keeps succeeding. It doesn’t get better than Alicia.
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Tbozfan10
April 28, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Hey @ch I have never seen Robin Thicke labeled as “pop” anywhere. He is always categorized as r&b. Where did you see him listed as “pop”?
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Karen
April 30, 2012 at 11:56 am
@(Pop Royalty) Rude Boy
Have you ever seen a snippet of that video? If you did, you would know if anyone was going to outshine, it would be Alicia. She looked so good. I really don’t think that was the reason it never came out. I would love to see the entire video too, but the way some people have been demanding it, Iin not so nice a way, I would never release it either. I personally think it had something to do with Beyonce’s team not releasing it.????
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