Alicia Keys her story comes to Broadway Hell's Kitchen debuts this spring previews March'24 Opening April

  

Photos of the cast of "Hells Kitchen" (2024)

"A Keys" and Usher at 2024 Apple Music Halftime show for KC Chiefs & 49ers this year (February 2024)

 

I have had the amazing pleasure of seeing many of my favorite celebrities in person. This is one person who is very special to me when it comes to your heroes, aspirations. I started following Alicia Keys her career when I was about 14 years old when she first came out with “Fallin'” her debut single from her debut album, “Songs in A Minor” in June 2001. Fast forward I had a chance to see this woman perform about 5 times and see her in person. The most gracious, down to earth, cool, sweet, and personable. Her energy is soothing, calming like a warm cup of soup or tea. She calms you down instantly when you meet her. I on the other hand was a nervous wreck when I saw her in person. I was too excited because I just wanted an autograph of course but I had a chance to take a photo of her one I will cherish, then I saw her a few years later at an event at the Brooklyn Museum with her now husband, “Swizz Beats” performing for an event. One of my favorite recording artists I have had the pleasure of seeing her perform, meeting her in person a few times will be adding another notch on her belt. She’s not only writing/producing a Broadway play this time but the play is loosely based on her life. I have been a fan since my high school days when she first debuted on the musical scene summer of 2001. 

 

 

Of course I had to include some of my favorite songs that still mean so much today....20 years later...

 I wore the Alicia Keys braids when I was 14 and 15 years old, yes I did, I sang her song “If I ain’t got you” at my 2004 talent show in high school at Cathedral. I have seen her perform about 3 or 4 times at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, I have seen her with her husband at the Brooklyn Museum and Stage 48 for an event in Hell’s Kitchen (nice Segway ha-ha) so now I can discuss her newest creation and project based on her life growing up. Alicia Keys is a multiple Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, pianist, television producer, actress, author, and now will add her second Broadway play to her producing credentials and theater background. Her first initial play that she was a producer on was “Stick Fly” in 2011. I remember vividly because I was a young intern working for Black Enterprise Magazine in the television broadcast department. 

So when you get to see what one of your heroes upclose face to face. You’re of course crazy nervous, can’t believe this is happening in real life, and lastly don’t want the moment to end. This is one moment I will never forget it was a week before my birthday I remember because we had to be at a downtown Soho production editing house house to set up the entire set and also watch the interview of one of my correspondents too. I was working two days a week during this time and was working in the television broadcast department with my other 9 team members.

 We had a small office on fifth avenue and 19th street before they relocated to an office on Madison Avenue. I remember just feeling like it doesn’t getting any better than this I wanted a photo of her and I

so bad. This was actually the 3rd time I had seen her in person. So yes I can honestly say meeting one of my heroes in person several times. It humbles you, it makes you appreciate your life, it also solidifies that if I can make it out of humble beginnings in a tough neighborhood in the eighties and nineties. We all can get out of any situation and surpass through too. I think of her song, “The Gospel” I had a chance to see her perform the song live at an event at Stage 48 in midtown New York this was summer 2015 and I am a big advocate for song lyrics. Song lyrics tell a story, they set the mood in the listeners mind, you envision what the artist is trying to convey and tell too. Her lyrics “We are all God’s children growing up in the ghetto…Mama cooked a stew…Daddy did the yellin’”. Keys is phenomenal at a scene setter she can set a scene in a song and you’re right there with her in that moment of her life. I will not be surprised when I attend her first autobiographical Broadway play. This play is very much an embodiment of Alicia Keys’s early, teen/adolescent years. This is before the record deal, before the fame, before the Grammys, before the All State commercials (Yes I recognize her voice), The Levi’s jeans campaign. Alicia was just a little girl with big dreams in a big diverse city that had some clever tricks up its sleeve. The most beautiful thing about this moment is we all get to witness a full circle moment for this star. She literally grew up down the street from all of the Broadway theaters adjacent to Hell’s Kitchen. 

She can walk back to her roots and then also go up the street and see where she’s heading. That’s a powerful moment of your life to witness because you realize “I made it, I actually did it my dream is in front of me”. She’s incredibly down to earth, she can have a good time, and isn’t afraid to let loose show her fun, free spirit, and soulful side. I would say if I had to compare her to a food her spirit is like a hot cup of soup and slice of apple pie. Alicia’s spirit, energy is comforting, warming, and sustains you. It feeds your soul and spirit. Her lyrics can hit you in different ways, make you think, and feel what she wants to convey to her listeners. I have been a fan since I was 14 so for me I have had a chance to see the true transition from young recording artist to savvy business woman and multi-hyphenated artist. I think when you grow with a person you’re even more proud of them because you’ve seen their transition from one place in their life to the next. You see where they are going to in the future. So how did a young girl who was raised by a single mother and a father who was present when he chooses to be available. 

How did this little girl end up becoming one of the biggest R&B/Soul recording artists who has appeared in television, films, plays, commercials, and more. I often heard her say her mother is her rock. She was the one who really made sure that Alicia was going to use her gifts and invested in her dreams. She enrolled Alicia into piano lessons as a little girl, she appeared and auditioned for television shows growing up. Alicia did appear on “The Cosby Show”, she practiced studying all of the great classical musicians and of course has a wide range of music under her belt. You see the influence of hip-hop, rap, classical weaved and woven into all of her music. When you hear “Songs in A Minor” (2001), “Diary of Alicia Keys”(2003), “Superwoman” (2007), “Element of Freedom”(2009), “Girl on Fire” (2012), “Here” (2016), and even her holiday album, "Alicia" (2019), “Santa Baby” (November 2022). You know that where her musical influence is coming from jazz, soul, funk, R&B, classical music, a variety of artists who have given her that fire, that energy, and passion in her music. 

I hear influences of many classic artists in her music. Alicia’s music will be infused into her Broadway play telling the story of young Ali who is growing up in Manhattan Plaza in New York City. All of Alicia’s music will be used in all scenes including new songs she has composed. 

 The actress playing “Ali” will be…Maleah Joi Moon will be featured as Alicia or “Ali” in the nation wide debut of Hells Kitchen. Small productions of the show opened in November of 2023 and it will officially open in March this spring 2024. Cast will also include Chris Lee as “Knuck”, Kecia Lewis as Miss Lisa Jane, Davis as Brandon Victor Dixon, and Shoshana Bean as “Jersey”. Previews will begin March 28, 

Now in 2024 Where Alicia is now?….A Broadway producer, singer, songwriter, actress, beauty icon, 15-time Grammy winner,  just made her debut at the 2024 NFL Superbowl  performing along with Usher singing their hit song, “My Boo”. I notice now with these superstars expanding as artists they have now hit a period of reinvention with their branding, and business savviness. Alicia has crossover appeal which has brought her to not take her music to the next level with Netflix’s “Bridgerton” their past seasons her teaming up with Shonda Rhimes and her production crew to present the vision of Queen Charlotte and the television series in 2023. 

 

I have to buy this book again loved this one her story you can easily see that her story was going to be one for the mainstage. 

Check out Soulcare by Alicia Keys 

 

Also, the new pop divas have all now are diving into the beauty industries. Alicia has a new beauty product “SoulCare” has been featured all over social media for the past few months. She even included her tips on her website the makeup that she wore during the superbowl. Alicia has always been an advocate for presenting and showing a more natural look. She may wear some light make up while performing but she keeps her daily makeup look more simple, clean, and modern and interviews with the public. You may see her appear more glamorous for tours and concerts or if she’s on film. She’s always promoted women feeling natural, comfortable in their born skin, and also authenticity. She also always presents herself as a woman with a warm, loving, embracing presence. Wanting people to feel positivity, love, calmness, and feeling powerful and at ease in their souls. I believe with this new branding and venture you see Keys shows us yes women can have it all. Millennial women are showing this current generation that we can have it all and then some today. It takes time, practice, knowing your vision, and yourself. You must follow your dream and make it a reality and live in it. For more information on Alicia Keys please visit www.hellskitchen.com, www.soulcare.com, and www.aliciakeys.com

Didn't want to forget to include the love of her lives, multiplatinum producer/musician, Harvard Business graduate, Swizz Beats and her two sons, Egypt, 13 and Genesis, 10

2024-Big year for the King of R&B will take the 58th Superbowl halftime show Usher's dream becomes a reality 2.11. 2024

 

Usher on the cover of Vibe December 2023

One of my favorite covers of him he's been on Men's Health a few times just a good look for him showing men of all backgrounds how to maintain their health, their physical, mental, and emotional health is important and influential. Not just a popstar

 

Usher and Chris Brown singing "New Flame" 

 

  

I feel like when Usher stepped on the scene in the 1990s ten years later he opened the door for these two and the next R&B stars. Chris Brown & Trey Songz.

Mentor, Producer, one of the first to work with Usher on his debut album and  My Way, Jermaine Dupri

David Guetta and Usher working on "Without You"

  

Without You (2011) 

Love in this Club Part 1 Usher ft. Young Jeezy (2008)

Young Jeezy, Usher, and Jermaine Dupri

 

 

Lil Jon, Usher, and Ludacris I am sure will tear down the stadium get ready

 

His protege, YouTube discovery and now multiplatinum artist, Justin Bieber

Alicia Keys and Usher (2004) on the set of "My Boo"

 

Two years on tour and now the Superbowl in Las Vegas everything comes full circle 

 

Some of the artist Usher has worked with H.E.R just released "Risk It All" for the Color Purple (2023) soundtrack in December 2023 

Usher and Diddy one of his mentors 

 

 

Usher snd R&B songstress, Ella Mai 

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 Coming Home Usher's new album debuts on Apple Music, Digital streamwaves, and airwaves February 11, 2024 the same day as the Superbowl. Check Apple Music and Usherworld for more information. 

His musical heroes all received phone calls in the eighties, nineties, and early 2000s for the Superbowl. He was able to join up with the Black Eyed Peas briefly in 2011 for the superbowl and now he will headline the entire show with many surprise guests coming next month for the 58th Annual Superbowl Halftime show hosted by Apple Music. Apple Music has added a fresher take on the show along with Roc Nation the music giants forcing together to produce an incredible show for all artists across the board for the Superbowl. 

He received a phone call in September of 2023 from Roc Nation owner and now a member of the entertainment and board of the NFL, Jay-Z regarding performing and headlining his own show for the super bowl I am talking about none other than Usher Raymond the fourth. I was thrilled absolutely excited to hear one of my longtime crushes and favorite recording artist would get to live out a long-awaited dream come true and own the stage for 12-15 minutes for the halftime show. I believe dreams come true I have manifested, visualized some dreams, and have seen them happen. I can only imagine when a multi-platinum recording artist gets an opportunity to live out their dream. You immediately pick up the phone and say, “Yes sir I accept and I will be there”. 

That’s it one sentence can change your whole life, words have power, an unwritten, imaginary contract, yes I will be there, I accept the challenge. I imagine he had been preparing for this is whole life. He’s coming off his two-year successful tour (2022-2024) in Las Vegas, Nevada he has been sold out by celebrity friends, colleagues, his biggest fans attending the concert, and after parties every night he performs. He is an athlete, he’s not just a singer, dancer, performer, actor, and songwriting. No Usher actually is an athlete, dancing in roller skates, bringing his Atlanta culture and roots to Las Vegas. Showing how they really party and get lit in “the A” so to speak. It’s not about just singing his countless hits, the man has been performing since he was 15 years old professionally. He started off singing local talent shows, dancing until he was eventually discovered by LaFace records Antonio "LA" Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

 I believe certain people were called to be apart of the super bowl because of their work ethic, this is not for the faint of heart. You are going to be preparing for probably 2-3 months in advance before you hit the stage. You have to decide who will I perform with?, how do I incorporate all of my hits from my albums, “Call me Mack”(1994), “My Way”, “8701”, “Confessions” (which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year…I still remember when it came out and debuted on BET/MTV the videos for “Yeah” ft Ludacris & Lil’Jon), “Confessions” the hit track single I believe changed his entire career going from young pop/r&b heartthrob to grown man status. It put him in a different category. Usher’s music became more transparent, more expressive of his thoughts, his current state, his feelings, and what was happening behind the scenes in his life. It’s easy for recording artists, entertainers to post up photos, do interviews, smile for the camera but we never really know what’s happening until they put out their music. We discover deeper sides of our favorite artists when they are their most vulnerable. What’s really going on? How’s it really going with our favorite artist in their world. “Confessions” was one of those albums that gave us the inside track into his world as a human being. Feelings, experiences as a man he was struggling with too. “Confessions”(2004), “Here I Stand” (2008) , “Raymond vs Raymond” (2010) and “Hard to Love”(2016) are four of my favorite albums, and of course the fun and free loving love letter to Atlanta “A” came out in 2018. I love all of his music everything but those are probably the albums I feel he matured the most as a man. You see how he has grown emotionally and expresses his vulnerability. The truth in his music also while creating feel good vibes at the same time. Let’s also talk about and discuss that this will be the twentieth anniversary of “Confessions” Usher’s multiplatinum album which included number one hits, “Yeah” featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.

 Usher’s "Confessions" is one of those albums that changed the whole game for R&B.It reached Diamond RIAA status within a 20 year period from (2004-2024 to date) this is one of his best albums in pop culture history.  People write about this album, have serious conversations about this album. Discussing topics form infidelity, partying, his love of Atlanta, his evolution into manhood from a child performer, his family, love, intimacy, heartbreak,  and the list goes on. Now with 30 plus years in the game, an acting career we cannot forget Usher did some serious acting in movies like “Hands of Stone”(2016), “In the Mix”, “She’s All That”, “The Faculty”, “Hustlers” (2019)and “Light It Up” (1999). Usher's career has expanded in these 26 years as an artist, mentor he mentored the career of Justin Bieber grooming him, shaping him, paying it forward with a young 16 year old who also became one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century, let's not forget his other hats, performer  Usher doesn't just sing, he dances, flips, moves, he creates history on the dance floor,  and also his role as a judge/commentator of "The Voice", and more. This opportunity is well deserved this man earned it and then some. So proud and excited for the new "King of R&B" to proudly wear his crown and own the Las Vegas Allegiant stadium this February 11, 2024. 

Cannot forget to include the now father of four to Naviyd, "Cinco", Sire, and Sovereign Bo Usher's four children , his mother, Jonetta Patton (shout out to his beautiful mom, and his gorgeous girlfriend, Jenn of course will be cheering their father on for this big event. 

Usher and his four children together at a birthday event balancing it all Fatherhood, Fame, Success, Love, Movies, Mentoring in Music, and now Dream Fulfilled the Superbowl 

  

 

I want all of you music fans, football fans, travel fans, Las Vegas fans to visit https://www.allegiantstadium.com/ for more information on the Superbowl and events. 

www.nfl.com, www.usherworld.com, and www.visitlasvegas.com. Also visit www.applemusic.com

 and www.rocnation.com

2024-Happy New Year-Life's just peachy take a bite and enjoy!

 

Happy New Year my readers.... I was inspired by the amazing peach fuzzy color that pantone decided on this year for 2024. It’s such a fun beautiful color reminds you of summer days at the beach, eating something sweet and delicious like a ripe peach, peach cobbler, or even peaches and cream ice cream. Also summer sunrises and sunsets with this amazing light pink/golden-orange color. Only Only God above can design such a gorgeous color above and the universe too. 

 So in honor of the Pantone Paint their new color "Peach Fuzz" for 2024 take a bite out of life this year, be good to yourself, be great to others, remember it’s all about how you made someone feel special for a moment in time. That lasts forever stays imprinted on your memory, soul, and heart. So my readers get ready to have some fun this year I think this going to be a really great time. We have a leap year, an election year, it is the year of the Dragon which symbolizes authority, wealth. and prosperity, and it’s the year of the 8 which symbolizes abundance in life. So this year live abundantly, generously in life, love, happiness, bring what fills your body, your soul, and spirit in a healthy way. Also an election year so hold on tight people we are in for a new chapter, new time, and new ride. 

You treat you good and others the universe will treat you even better. Happy New Year 2024. I dedicated this wallpaper theme to many things I like and love. Very symbolic. If you know me well you will figure somethings out. Have an amazing year I have plenty to share with you on my blog this year. So let’s party and celebrate another year on the Earth.