Since her 2001 introduction with ‘Songs In A Minor’, 14-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys has been making major moves on the music scene. Aside from sharing stages and studio time with legends Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Bono, and more, Keys has earned the respect of and played co-star to many of today’s contemporary stars (i.e. Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Timbaland, etc).
With anticipation of her nearly completed 5th album, today – her 31st birthday – That Grape Juice seeks to salute the songstress who made it cool to keep your clothes on tickle the keys again.
Her catalog may boast some of the noughties’ biggest hits like ‘Fallin’,’If I Ain’t Got You’, ‘No One’, and more, but there are some gems that sunk in the shadows of her more acclaimed numbers.
Get into a few of these after the jump:
‘Love Is My Disease’ – The Element of Freedom
If for whatever reason you’ve ever thought to doubt the vocals of Alicia Keys, ‘Love Is My Disease’ should make you rethink such doubt. Hailing from her 2009 set ‘The Element of Freedom’, Keys conquers this tune with a gritty display of emotion and urgency. A combo that is a staple in most of her offerings, ‘Disease’ is just another SICK illustration of Keys growth since her 2001 debut.
‘Lesson Learned’ ft. John Mayer – ‘As I Am’
Alicia Keys enlisted fellow singer/songwriter John Mayer to back-up this 2007 cut ‘Lesson Learned’. A stirring performance, Keys tells the tale of a broken-hearted girl who’s had a little too much of enough. Starting off with the chilling line ‘He broke my heart/And now it’s raining just to rub it in…’ – its a breakup classic. Get into it below:
‘Go Ahead’ – ‘As I Am’
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Adding fuel to the fire is if that woman just so happens to be a praise singer-songwriter who can turn the story into a head-nodding tune. Such combination is what certainly gives ‘Go Ahead’ – this number from Keys’ 2007 junior album ‘As I Am’ – its power. A cut that we’re sure every Mary J fan can dig, take a listen below:
‘Samsonite Man’ – ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’
It’s the quintessential tale of the rolling stone. A fan favorite from her sophomore set, Keys gave fans a key into her diary in this personal collection of tunes. Sit back and groove to Alicia’s narrative of the man who just couldn’t find a home.
Sound off below! What are some of your favorite AK cuts we missed?