Delving into history with Alicia Keys’ Latest EP

These are the three dynamic words that come to mind while I listen to the iconic vocalist, Alicia Keys’, latest release Here.

The Interlude titled “The Beginning” awakens you within the first few seconds. It automatically makes you pause like “Wait, a minute…Let me see what Alicia is talking about.” She hits you with deep,  provocative lyrics that carry into each song on the 16-track album.

Songs of Redemption, which include “The Gospel” and “Kill Her Mama” give you a glimpse of life in the slums of New York from Alicia’s perceptive. The conversation then carries on to songs of self-awareness such as “She Don’t Really Care”, that tells the story of a young woman that grew up and Harlem and Brooklyn, but is proud of where she comes from despite what people think or say.

Lastly, when I listened to the track “Blended Family”, I think of loyalty. Blended families are beautiful and a blessing, many of us are from one. But they are hard because sometimes it can be hard for the woman or man to adapt to gaining the respect of the other parent from the stepchild that she/he is raising. Hearing Alicia’s testimony is amazing and beautiful.

Overall, this album is definitely a must-listen. It’s very testimonial and relatable. Alicia nailed it!