Alicia Keys - Speechless

The thing I like most about A Dot Keys is that she is an artist true and through. Alicia Keys embraces musicianship, lyrical writing skills and of course the actual delivery.

I also love music and I love the creation process of music. Most times I just want to be in the studio just to vibe with these talented artists. I used to be a drummer and DJ so I understand the engineering and production part of track making. Even though I don't produce anymore, I still love music.

If you want to talk about goals and New Years Resolutions, mine is to be in the studio more with ESTABLISHED artists taking epic photographs that tell the story of the creation process.

The funny thing is I was just talking to my man @DJBILLEKNIGHT about Art and what it means to be an artist, and then I just happened to stumble across the Making Of Speechless video . Through our convo and seeing the speechless video, I was just inspired again.

Anyway, I'm digging this Swizz Beats, Alicia Keys and Eve rendition Speechless using Kanye West's Devil In A New Dress beat.

I also was inspired to write a new piece called "Artistic" talking about how to turn passion or an abstract thought into concrete Art (something tangible). So Go check that out when you have a moment.

Unthinkable. I'm Ready...Or Am I?

"Tez keeps telling me he just turned 30/ Having dreams of being single forever, he's getting worried, And I'm scared too, 'cause I'm in the same boat/ Good women are rare too, none of them ever came close/ Me, I haven't changed much, you know how I play it/ Better safe than sorry, instead of searching for substance at every single party. Baby, being part of this life, I feel like I'm bound to end up with somebody that's been with everybody" - Drake (Unthinkable, I'm Ready Remix)

Wow, just as I think the day can't get any better or worse, I find THE song and lyrics that really go along with my mood. Up and Down.

I know music touches the soul and honestly this song soothes my manic depressive situation, almost like a perfect fit for my artistic but commercially-biased, love-seeking mind.

To start off, people always ask me why I like Drake so much. Simple. I completely relate to his music, and the beats are out of control. Period.

Just like Drake's friend Tez, I just turned 30, I am single and I am in the entertainment world a.k.a. "living the life." If these lyrics don't relate to me, I don't know what the word "relate" means.

To go in depth, from first hearing the song, I felt Drake should have been on the original version of Alicia Keys' song Unthinkable, I'm Ready and not just in the background. To find out that there is a remix version with him actually rapping is the thrill I have been seeking.

Now, the second scenario is that this sacred Drake verse that I have been hoping for ends up speaking directly to me. It's like a double-edged sword with alcohol on one side and soothing ointment on the other.

I have been going through this relvolving door of a thought process for as long as I can remember. Wondering about the battle of love verse career and how to balance the two is a doozy. In my mind, it is almost impossible.

On one hand you have the "stay focused, don't get distracted" approach. Of course you obtain your goals, but you have no one to share your success with.

On the other hand, you have someone that you love but end up sacrificing some of your goals to make your relationship work. Hmmmm, which path do you choose?

I don't even want to mention the "Once you've made it you" scenario. You reach success and so now you meet a million people continuously wanting to be in your grill while you repetitiously wonder if they love you for your money or because "you" personally make them smile.

This situation eats you alive all while creeping within the midst of your subconscious reality. In the end you settle for the beautiful woman that never loved you. But you have a nice arm piece right?

Don't get me wrong, I know women go through these same situations. Believe me, I'm throwing an SSD flag in your face if you think people with money haven't gotten the cream of the crop of a mate without the help of that money/cash/Diner-O's to back them up!

While I am talking about this, A scenario developed just last night where an actual friend of mine blatantly stated she would never date a "guy like that" but he had money and I know after seeing them smile together, the money was definitely a deciding factor in making her at least think about the possibility. Now that I think about it, I kind of feel sorry for THAT guy now.

Its the same situation when people stay together even after they realize its over. Yes, love or great sex would extend their dying relationship, but the stress point ALWAYS can and will be pushed even further if there's a monetary value included.

i.e. if you were fed up 6 weeks ago, if the person was rich you would add 6 more weeks to that equation.

Love is a tricky thing. I don't wanna dwell on it too long so I will let you listen to the song and make your own judgement.

Alicia Keys - Unthinkable (I'm Ready) Remix Featuring Drake

Alicia Keys - Unthinkable (I'm Ready)...

I've been waiting for this moment for a while now. I heard this song earlier last year way before Alicia Key's album The Element of Freedom dropped and I immediately knew it would be a smash hit.

Obviously, the song I am referring to is Unthinkable (I'm Ready) with Drake on the background vocals. The thing I like about this song is its so many ways that it can be interpreted and then when you see the visuals to the song it makes for more of an expansion of the imagination to flow.

In this video, A. Keys takes a forbidden love approach, fighting against all odds to make things work. Besides the fact that she is beautiful in the video, the audio along with the visuals make for a perfect combination of art that touches the soul.

Here's the video.

Alicia Keys - Unthinkable (I'm Ready)

*video courtesy of www.onsmash.com

The Unthinkable, I'm Ready...

When I was younger, I was very active and involved in a lot of activities and growing up my parents never pressured me to do anything that I didn't want to do. However, they did enforce the "don't be a quitter" rule.

So I had this thing instilled in my head that If I wasn't sure I could do something or finish it, I wouldn't start it. To this day, I still have that mentality, (To a certain extent and without it becoming the definition of insanity of course).

For whatever reason, in the last two days, I couldn't concentrate or get focused that is until I saw this new video. To start, Alicia Keys' song The Unthinkable (I'm Ready) is already a smash hit, but just seeing this beautiful specimen perform her song live with passion just inspired me to be great. Sometimes you need to see someone living their dream to inspire you to do yours.

What's interesting is the song can be interpreted in so many ways and of course I know she's speaking of taking a relationship to the next level. Well my relationship is my dedication to my work so I interpreted as I need to focus on my love and get to business.

Hopefully, you can find inspiration in this live performance as well. By the way, if you didn't know the album version has Drake singing in the background, hows that for motivation?

The Unthinkable (I'm Ready) Live AOL Sessions

Dreams Come True...

Have you ever wondered why your favorite artists have never collaborated? A lot of times it can be ego, record label politics or just something as simple as a scheduling conflict.

All of my life, my passion has been music and art. I love music. Its undeniable...

...And as much as I would want certain collabs such as NaS and T.I. (Topless, thanks Dr. Dre.), Jay-Z and 50 Cent (thanks to Reebok for that one) and Sade with Pharell's production skills (By My Side Remix) wait...oh wow, come to think about it, I guess dreams can come true.

I'm sure you all know by now, for me it's official. I love Beyonce, I love Alicia Keys, I love music and I am proud to finally say, the collaboration has happened.

Alicia Keys and Beyonce appear together on a new track called Put It In A Love Song from Alicia Keys' new album appropriately titled, The Element Of Freedom.

With egos aside, conflicts put to rest, and just the freedom of expression left, not to mention in a business driven industry, for once it is all about the actual music, talent, and raw passion rather than the business side.

Thanks to Alicia Keys and Beyonce, this is a great time for art because the art form categorized as music is delivered in its authentic form as it was intended to be.

Thank you to Queen B & A. Keys...

Put It In A Love Song

p.s. This is my "I'm Focused" Song for today because its starting to get cold and everyone needs a DVD buddy...ha ha ha...

Empire State Of Mind...

What does it mean to be a champion? For one, to be a champion you have to have heart, dedication and a strong support system. I can't lie, Jay-Z's song Empire State Of Mind featuring Alicia Keys embodies all of that.

What's ironic is even if you are NOT from New York, like a lot of people aren't, this song makes you feel like you should stand up for something strong, something that you can believe in and something that will encourage you to go be great!

I'm not from New York, but listening to this song makes me want to go stand on the top of the Empire State Building and proclaim I can do anything I set my mind to. Ha!

Anyway, Here is the Video for Empire State Of Mind

*video courtesy of On Smash...