Fan Corner
Section: Diary
This is Alicia's diary from official
site. Thx to Lenny & Benny for helping me with this section.
September 13, 2007
Japan
Hey...
Straight from Vegas to Japan. 13 hour flight. Crazy! But I'm happy to be over
here. It's been a minute and it's nice to introduce the music to everyone, of
all walks of life. The sick part is being 13hours ahead of NY time and 16 hours
ahead of LA time. Try doing Business on THAT schedule. kinda hard lol! Plus
my body is all confused..is it morning or night?? I have no idea;-) Right now
its 7:55 am NY time and 855pm in Japan. Its interesting how one day is just
begginning and the other is ending. IT's the illest thing. Who figure that out
anyway?? I think about strange things like that. who in the workd was the first
person to figure out time zones? $20 to whoever can get me the history of that
lol!
Did one of those small intimate performances last night. Most of the whole
room couldnt even speak english and here I am explaining every song and emotion
I was going through in order to write it. Funny thing is... they felt me...regardless,
they felt me. What an incredible gift music is. There is something for everyone.
It comes in all shapes and styles..it maybe the closest to freedom we'll ever
get. hmmmmmmmmm. Nonetheless, I'm DUMB tired! it's early but, I gotta get some
rest. just wanted to check in. say hey. Hope you're good.
Gonna start doing some buzz shows soon.... oooohhhhhhh! I CANT WAIT FOR YOU
TO HEAR ALL THIS MUSIC!
alright, be safe
talk soon
love
September 9, 2007
Hey Fam!!!
We just shot the video for "No One!" It was so serious!!! Depicting
the emotions of not letting ANYTHING get in the way of the good thing you have:
Love for your Family, love for your man or woman, love for your son or daughter,
love for yourself. Doesn't it sometimes seem like when you have something good,
there is always something or someone trying to break up or put down this good
thing? I feel like that sometimes. That's why I love this song so much. It empowers
me. Makes me feel strong and unstoppable even through the eye of the storm.
We had a couple of Fam members down at the video shot in LA. It was fly! They
hung out and watched as we shot one of my favorite scenes with my piano in the
rain. Then I was able to go over and say "what's up." We chatted for
a little bit and chilled. So 'big up' to the Fam that was able to make it to
the video!
I'm still JUST as amped, probably even more for you guys to hear the whole record.
The whole vibe... I can't wait to hear what your favorite songs are.
I'm getting ready for the Video Music Awards, so I'm at rehersal now. Getting
ready to start the fire!!!
WE'll catch up soon
one love
August 19, 2007
So this time it's been MAAAAADDDDD long since I wrote here. But I know you guys
forgive me since I've been grinding on this new music. haaahaaaaa!!!! This is
it though! Now is the time and I'm about less than a week away from being totally
done. I almost can’t believe it. This has ABSOLUTELY been the most profound
year of my life! I can’t even explain the depth that it goes, the things
that I’ve learned, The things that have made me first weaker than stronger
and finally over all a better person in so many ways. I can barely believe the
way things have turned out! I’ve never been more happy with a record! These
SONGS!!! Each one of them has such a personal and honest story that goes along
with them. Each one of them are a piece of my heart and I’m so excited
to be able to gift wrap it and present it to you.
The single is called ‘Noone” and I’m LOVING IT!!! I hope it’s
a bit unexpected and something that completely surrounds you, engulfs you and
sweeps you away. I hope it makes you feel good and strong and passionate and
makes you scream the words at the top of your lungs. I hope it does things to
you!!!! Hahahaha
As you can see I’m extremely exited about it and can’t wait for you
to hear it!
Honestly, I cant wait for you to hear everything!! Each song is so different
from the rest! You will NEVER have a chance to get tired. But as diverse as
it all is, it still has the true representation and foundation of who I am,
AS I AM now!
I have no regrets, no reservations, no hesitations, no DOUBT!
I am truly, totally and completely ready!!!
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Much love and talk (and see you) soon
Ak
July 15, 2007
Just got finished reading all of your posts on Ann’s last Blog. (Big Up Ann!)
she’s great aint she??
I love it here because it’s just this simple world were you can be who you
really are, say what you want, feel what you feel and share it. I like that it
is almost this underground world that people discover naturally.
Let me just take a few to thank you for those beautiful words that you wrote,
memories that you shared, all the understanding and encouragement that you give
that you’ve always given.
There are 2 things I pray for often (We’ll, I pray A lot, but as it relates
to this…) The first thing is “something to say”. I ask for this
because I think that if God has Given me the chance to speak to a large amount
of people, I want to have something worthy to say, not just something that means
nothing. The 2nd thing I pray for is “to ALWAYS have the courage to be myself”,
Not only to be myself, but to be unafraid to do the unexpected, to do the things
that are not always The “safe” thing, because those are the things that
are the most enriching and the most exciting. I ask to be lead to where I belong
and to truly be able to hear, listen and FOLLOW my instinct. I know that is how
God speaks to us and I always want to listen. Anyway, not to get all heavy, but
These are 2 things that are really important to me, I’m learning.
because of this I am unafraid, I am not worried, I am not concerned. Somewhere
deep deep down I KNOW that everything that my life has been, has lead me to this
moment now, As with all of our lives. And I KNOW that I have a destiny that Is
to be fufilled, as we all do. and I KNOW that this Destiny is going to be something
special and moving and tremendous. as we all have. And although I don’t know
exactly how it’s all going to play out, I Do know that it is going to be
more than I could EVER imagine. As it is with all of us! and so I put my heart
into it, truly working hard and giving it my all and let GOD do the rest.
And that’s why I’m so DAMN excited!!!!LOL! Everywhere I go and everything
I do I feel like I am holding this HUGE secret that I just can’t wait to
let everyone in on…and that’s a great feeling! infact its a realy
SLY grin!!
Here’s a little taste of the process of what hapens after most of the
recording of an album is done:
SO for me, as you probably know by now, the recording process is really personal
and intimate. Nobody is really involved in it except Me, K, Ann, the creative
people I’ve been working with, Jeff, and peter (my A&R). Other than
that it’s like this Big mystery. So when the album is close to done we
start to get some of the important people at the Label to get into it. These
are the people who truly support it and make sure they get behind it to make
it win in everyway possible, like of course Clive, like the people who get you
to know all about it and push it to radio, television and get the stores to
buy it, the people who help to market and promote it. and thats just to name
a few. Then, there are those same people not only in America but in Europe,
in Asia, in South America…all over the world who get behind my record and
help push it to the top. Then there are other people like the ones who own different
magazines who help to review the album or give me the covers of magazines. There
are the people who help sponser the album and the tours and any events we might
need to do who have to hear the music and get excited about it. There are the
DJ’s and radio programmers who need to get into it and support it from
the beggining so that the music can be heard in many forums. and this is just
a small bit of the proces of who is involved to make an great album be heard.
And ALL these people have to be behind it and be excited so that they can help
me to bring it to you in the biggest and best way possible. It’s an ineresting
process, but it all lends to the overall feeling and enthusiasm of and for an
album.
So Since you weren’t able to be in these listening sessions (yet, at least)
let me at least tell you the names of the 6 songs we played:
1) Go Ahead
2) Superwoman
3) The thing About Love
4) Teenage Love Affair
5) Sure Looks Good To me
6) Like You’ll Never See me again
hmmmmmm mmmmmm…….Man oh man!!! do you see the sly grin????;-)
Everyday we get closer and closer and I’m humbly and gratefully looking
forward to discovering with you, the journey it will take us on!
Much love, as always
Ak
June 22, 2007
Ladies and gentleman we are getting close! I’m here in the room now mixing
one of my FAVORITE songs on the album “Like you’ll never see me again”
I think I told yall about this the first night that I was working on it. It’s
incredibly exciting to hear everything coming together to be ONE special body
of work! I know you feel like I’m torturing you because you haven’t
heard anything yet….but when you hear this you are going to have so many
of thoughts and feelings and things to say…I can’t wait to hear which
ones are your favorites…
Anyway, I’m to amped for words! and I have to leave for a flight at 5am and
still have to pack so I’m in trouble!…
So, I know this is kind of a cheap ass entry, and mad short, but I didn’t
want to go to long without saying hey….
I’ll write something longer soon
Mad love
Holla!
May 14, 2007
Hey...
Just checkin in....
Want to thank you for sharing some of where you are right now. What your feeling,
what's going on in your world, a lot of changes.... But I wonder if there is
ever a time that things are not changing?? Probably not. In one way or another
it always will be. But in that I find comfort, knowing that I will always be
finding out more, experiencing more and because of that becoming better. We
all are.
Someone asked me what my favorite song is to perform? That's a hard one! Cause
it depends on the night...but I'll tell you what, my fav songs to perform are
going to be these NEW songs. OHHHHH WEEEEEE!!!! I'm DYING for you to hear something...soon
soon soon I promise! and Thats my word it is going to be SOOOOO worth the wait!!!!
You know how much I appreciate the LOVE. That realness that my real ones give
and that to me is all that matters here. So with that, know that I am always
with you and proud of you, so keep shining bright as you can! REGARDLESS OF
THE HATEEEERRRRRSSSSS!!
Yall know what I'm saying!
With that I'm gonna get some rest, just wanted to check in.
Talk soon....
Ak
May 5, 2007
Whooohooooo!!
WOW! I've been out in LA for almost a month now. It doesn't even seem that long
but the change of atmosphere has done me good. This music man..... it's talking
to me.
I realize that I've had an incredible 6 months. So many ups and downs. like
really high highs and really low lows... it's shown me my character and what
kind of person I want to be. I guess It's what you call growing pains. More
and more I'm coming into myself and who I'm meant to be. I feel myself becoming
more of a woman and it's interesting to be conscious of that process, but also
very exciting and freeing. I'm heavy into freedom lately.
So tell me about you? I've read the message board but I can't get a feel for
what you're feeling right now. What's going on in your heads? Some of you have
been with me since day uno (most of you have) what is going on in your lives/minds/hearts
that you've been thinking about?
Bring me into your world.....
April 12, 2007
Life's Way
There should be an option of the moods you can select called melancholy... you
know, not sad, but not exactly happy... I guess "ok" about sums it
up. Anyway...I've been learning a lot. This has been such an interesting time
for me. A lot of growth, a lot of understanding, a lot of realizing that things
don't stay the same forever... they change shape.
I lost someone very very close to me 2 weeks ago. and dealing with that change
is not easy as I'm sure many of you know. learning how to live without someone
that for years you have grown accustom to seeing thier smile, hearing thier
voice, picking up the phone to call when you really just need a reassuring word...and
now they're not here. I mean, they are here....in your heart, in your memory,
in your soul, but they have changed shape and the physical is no more.
I find it is in the littlest thing, that you remember the most about them. the
most random things come to my mind at the strangest times.
I haven't written because this is all that's been on my mind and I wasn't sure
if I should or if I was ready to talk about it.
I guess it's a good sign that I am. I have come to terms with that beautiful
understanding that now I have one of the most glorious angels in heaven, watching
over me, protecting me, loving me now more than ever. but it's so hard...it's
so hard to know that I will have to go the rest of my life without, the touch,
the smile, the hugs, the words of someone so precious and meaningful to me.
But I'm lucky because for years, I have been blessed to have such a touch, such
a smile, such a hug and the moving words of my now in heaven angel. And I know
that those are the things that will come to me when I need them most and I know
I was recipient to, and witnessed what real, true, genuine, no strings attached
love is. And the thing that gets me.... is the way that SO many felt the same
way. As we recieved all the calls and all the visitors, I realized...what more
is there to life, then knowing how many you touched, by the simple words you
said, by the small gestures of love you gave, and time you took to let another
know how much you cared.
That is a REAL legacy, that is what REALLY matters.... that is Life's TRUE Way.
I am a better person because of the love I've recieved, for the time that WE
were able to spend and the love I was able to return and I'm GRATEFUL for that
time.
Hold on to what is dear to you, don't ever forget to spend time with those you
love, because when all is said and done, what really matters more?
Sendng my love to you
Alicia
February 27, 2007
I'm feelin' this....
This is an excerpt from an article that originally appeared on Daily OM.
"Every thought we have and action we take becomes part of the collective
energy of the planet. When we use our energy to bring light into the world,
it combines with the light brought by others to dispel the darkness. Though
we live in a world of duality, which helps us to experience the material plane,
we don't need to experience extremes to understand them. We can share our experiences
and understanding with others not from a place of condescension but of connection.
When the entire family of humanity understands that each of our thoughts, choices,
and actions affect us all, we will share an incredible level of consciousness-one
that puts our oneness above all else and helps us evolve into higher expressions
of our spiritual selves. Remember the next time you witness an action of another
that they are of the same earth as you but simply on a different conscious level
at this point in their life. Find compassion, bless them, and move along your
day in grace."
February 20, 2007
Peace to my folks!
I just wanted to write because last week I went ahead and tested out my audio
blog so that even when I couldn't write I could at least leave a nice message
about what was going on. But I came on here today to check if it had gone up
and it hadn't.... so I'm alittle confused about why it's not up but I know in
a couple of days at MOST it'll be up for ya'll to check out.
In the meanwhile I wanted you to at least know that I'm thinking about you.
And I'm not trying to have months and months pass without some posts;-)
How was Valentines Day for ya? Did y'all love yourselves? That's where it all
starts. Feel me! I had some fun, I went to a Common concert at the House Of
Blues. It was hot! That's my boy! and the way he put the show together was fly!
One of the sweetest parts of the show was when this guy got onstage, and common
asked him" Do you have something to say?" and the guy said something
about his girl being there by his side and showing him the good life and then
the guy got down on his knee and sang Princes Adore accapella!! Meanwhile his
Girl was like one table away from me LOSING HER MIND! It was a really sweet,
genuine, thoughtful and pure gesture of love. What an incredible thing to do!!
I don't even think Common knew what he had planned so it was extremely spontaneous.
It definately had the whole place going so on top of Commons skills it was a
great night!
Don't you love going to a great show where everyone is affected by the magic.
I LOVE MUSIC!!!!
So, did any of you guys find out about the Open Door Scholarship that I'm doing
with FTGU? For all my College bound geniuses!;-) I hope y'all get into it.
Other than that all is well. I hope this finds you in a great place and I'll
talk to you soon.....
January 26, 2007
Hey ya'll!!!
I'm just writing to thank you so much for all of your birthday wishes!!! I had
such a wonderful birthday! I really just let loose and hung out HARD! lotsa
dancing, and talking and laughing and singing. It was a ball!
Now, it's about time to do alittle reflecting on all the things that have happened
in my last year and all the things I would like to happen for this year and
how I'd like to make that happen. I like doing that! It helps me to be alittle
clearer on whats happened and where I'm headed.
I have to give an extra special shout to all of my fam who, for my birthday,
are participating in helping to furnish the Agape orpahnage!!!! THAT IS BIG!!!!
and the fact that you care is even BIGGER! These kids are so bright and gifted
and special and it just seems like every turn of thier life has tried to discourage
them...so them knowing that people like you are out there and care about thier
life and thier fights and thier needs. Wow! I can't even begin to tell you what
a hero you are for that! Every little bit counts and they won't forget this
and niether will I!!
As for this year! I have this feeling in my gut that it is really going to be
a TREMENDOUS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!! For all of us. it's time to speak up, speak out
and do what ever needs to be done to make not only a better life for oursleves
and our close friends and family, but for the world as an extended human family.
And my gift from you this year, proves that I have the baddeest fam on the planet!!!
Really, yall never cease to amaze me!
Thank you again for all of your kind words and wishes for me on my birthday.
all of the E cards and prayers! i send all the goodness right back your way!
SMOKIN ACES!!!! IT's today!!!!! GHEAAAAAAHHHH! Thanks to you for your support
not only with this, but with everything!
one love, my family
talk to you soon!
January 21, 2007
My Folks!
Let me TELL you!
I'll NEVER get used to it!
Ok, ok, ok let me back up....
So, Thursday was the premiere of SMOKIN' ACES... which I know y’all ALL
are gonna see when it comes out on January 26th! RIGHT!!??;-) (Well, all my
folks over 18 at least!)
So I flew in to LA on Wednesday to get everything together, get the gear right
and all-a that good stuff. I don't usually talk about this side of things but
we spent at least 4 hours going through clothes, pants, blouses, skirts, shoes,
jewelry, dresses: some to frilly, to summery, to colorful, to beaded, to heavy,
to skimpy.... well, you get the point! You know I had to be RIGHT!!!! This was
my first premiere EVER! (You only have ONE first time) Nonetheless, When I stepped
into this little black number I just KNEW that was the one! It was simple and
strong and casually sexy and I felt like GHEAH BABAY!!!!!
Ok, Please excuse my overzealousness but I'm trying to relay the exact level
of my extreme excitement!
Anyhow, by then it was late and so I hit the sheets (with visions of sugar plums
dancing in my head).
The next day I woke up.... handled the daily and then came back to get ready.
Everyone was with me...family...sharing the excitement. The whole crew.
Fast forward to being in the car...driving there... the whole Hollywood BLVD
was backed up like crazy. When we approached the theatre and the lights and
the crowds and the whole thing.... the whole bonafide movie premiere in full
effect. I'm in the car and no lie, I let out a nice big SCREAAAAAMMMMM!!! Well
more like a Squeal! but there I was.... So I stepped out of the car and got
my big huge smile on cause I couldn't help it!
Cameras were firing as fast as machine guns....lights tall and bright all around...a
million questions, a million answers....what a night upon the town....
Point is, this is always new for me...and I LOVE this movie. It is totally,
wild and crazy and out there. All the characters are unbelievably interesting,
tormented and distorted images of the darker side of society. Joe Carnahan is
a beast. This movie is such a complex mind trip and the people who love it will
DEF be waiting for the DVD or ‘On Demand’ just to rewind their favorite
part or catch that crucial piece of dialog that they missed while they were
saying "OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH SSSHHHHHHH*TTTT! DID YOU JUST SEEE THAT!"
LOL!
Anyway.... This movie is not for the weak at heart! And if you're looking for
a family flick or a spa day and a movie with your home girls than wait till
APRIL 20th to see Nanny Diaries! ;-)
This First for me was so special! I just had to share it with ya'll.
On another note have ya’ll checked out the in studio blog at www.krucialkeys.com/Blog
This Bloggin stuff is addictive dammit!
Now, here it is crack a dawn and we’re rockin’ in the studio havin
a ball!!
And I haven’t been able to tell you lately how excited and thankful I am….not
only for everything that is going on and is to come, but more importantly that
we are still here rockin! DAMN! Seriously…it’s amazing to me the bond
we’ve created (even through, my extended absences and periods of “When
the hell is Alicia gonna post-isms) and that my friends is priceless!
Much love for that!
Holla soon….
January 8, 2007
Sorry bout that, wasn't trying to break our Christmas tradition… but this
site is so new and I'm not quite up on the post side of things yet… can
ya understand?!;-)
How was your holidays and New Year? Mine was good. Very low key. I was recording
in Miami until the day b4 Christmas (Which I have to say, was not bad at all!
Weather was poppin!) So I just came home and chilled out with the fam. Took
it easy, nice candle lit dinner, ate well and was thankful for having the love
around me that sustains me.
This year I found myself feeling so torn about Christmas. I felt extra uncomfortable
with how it's been soooo commercialized and has only become this big reason
to spend ridiculously and needlessly, you know? Without meaning, without thought…
I know for some who grew up in more religious households, it has a much truer
and deeper meaning. I believe GOD is LOVE and so the holidays are definitely
about celebrating love and that's what I did and focused on. But the over-all
societal view and the emphasis that has been placed on only receiving, left
my heart with this strange feeling I couldn't get rid of and I kept questioning
what Christmas really means to me now, or rather what I WANT it to mean to me.
I want it to be more than anything physical, or tangible… I'd like it to
be more about others. About more than just the selfishness of our own personal
needs and desires. A friend of mine helped to feed 10,000 people this Christmas…
I really admired that! Something like that, that truly gives to someone else
as well as cherishing the time with your family and friends that really love
you. That to me…is the essence of Christmas. What about you? What are your
feelings about the holidays?
Anyway, moving on from the old and in with the new. HAPPY NEW YEAR! No matter
what is going on with life, it always feels like a brand new start when it comes
to the New Year. It's like we all get a chance to have a fresh clean slate to
write ANYTHING we want on! And I love that! This year one of my most important
promises I made to myself, is to be true to me. What I mean by that is to truly
let my own instincts and intuition guide me. Sometimes we get so influenced
by what everyone else has to say about what we should do, or we get so caught
up in wanting to please others, that we can lose ourselves in all that smoke.
This year it's my goal to stay clear and hear what my heart and soul are saying
so I can claim my own happiness. Everyday, every minute! I don't know if that
makes sense to you, but it makes sense to me! Shit! LOL!
So tell me? What have you promised yourself?
Gonna head back into the booth, but I def had to check you and let you know
I'm alive and doing so well!!! And this album….. boy oh boy!!!!! I can't
tell you how amped I am about this! I can't WAIT for ya'll to hear it!
Speaking of the album, K and I are doing a studio blog about the album process
so check out www.Krucialkeys.com/blog to be a part of the intimate process and
thoughts of the making of my album!
Wishing you all a truly blessed and TREMENDOUSLY fulfilling YEAR! 4 real! Give
it all ya got bay-be! What else is there??
One love family,
Talk to ya soon
A.K. The Freedom Rider
December 5, 2006
How are yall? Everything is good on this side. The Album is coming out incredible!
I'm lovin the zone!! Other than that I'm trying to get used to the new board
too... No worries, every time there is something new it takes a little while
for things to gel...and there are a couple of little things that I want to change
as well but overall I'm happy that we have a new site up and I'm excited about
all of the new things that I have planned for the new and improved AKFC. Lots
of footage, lots of special communication, lots of good contest and prizes and
so many ways for us to be in each others world. So it's on and poppin!
Other than that, I'm buggin' that it is already Christmas!! Especially with
all of the Christmas Songs that played the minute Thanksgiving was done. Did
you notice that too? Sometimes I feel like the Holidays are corporate America's
favorite time of month, just to take all of our money!;-)
Anyway, The holidays are so much more than that. Wishing you a beautiful holiday
filled with genuine love, warmth and strength of family and friends and food
enough to share with those who have none.
I'm headed to the studio, just wanted to jump on and say hey!
Hope this finds you well, happy and healthy.
talk to you soon
A to the K
November 18, 2006
Peace y'all.... Just was thinking aboutcha and wanted to say what's up! Feeling
good today. In La doing some writing and the weather is CRAZY!!!! like 75/80
degrees. How is it the middle of November and it is this hot? Now, I get why
people LOVE LA So Much. With this weather how can you not?
I have a quick question for you....
if you could have anything you wanted on this website....what would you have
it be? And keep it clean and creative pleeeeeeeaaaassseeee;-) thanks!
Holla at me.. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this is. What would make
it better to you?
Hope this finds you all feeling great!
We'll talk soon...
love always
November 14, 2006
Hey my family!
Am I on punishment??;-) (just kidding) But I know It's been a minute since I
wrote. I apologize for being away for so long, but you'll be happy to know that
I took some much needed time for myself! I went away to Egypt and if I could
ever tell you how moved I was being there! Seeing things that have been in existence
for so long, thousands and thousands of years and still standing! So much History,
Strong and proud and able to withstand the heaviest of storms. From the Valley
Of the Kings to the tombs, temples and the pyramids, I was shown over and over
again how much power we have just between our minds and 2 hands. Faith, Hope
and perserverence is everything!
It was truly inspiring and reminded me that everything one can EVER dream is
possible! There is nothing that is unobtainable, nothing that is un-doable.
That's how I felt when I looked all the way up to the sky at the great pyramid.
I felt that, anytime I feel heaviness or sadness that comes sometimes, I will
remember that feeling of how much power there is within, to create and build
anything and everything imaginable.
That's a great feeling to remember to always keep close to me. (Keep it close
to you too!)
Other than that, I've really been getting into the zone of the album. Been experiencing
so much and have been exposed to so many sounds and rhythms. It's all coming
thru in a special way.
I'm very excited about this next journey thru music.....It's exciting!
About 7 months ago I decided that I wanted to Run a Marathon. So I trained and
trained and trained and just last week I ran my first marathon in Greece! I
choose Greece because that is where the whole concept of the marathon originated.
It was because a guy ran from the city of Marathon to Athens to spread the good
news that the war was won. And the Miles between The city Marathon and Athens
is the amount of miles all marathons are......So, It was really crazy!!!!! I
MADE it!!! It took me 5 hours and 30 min, but dammit, I made it!!!! And I'm
so proud! It feels good to be able to set a goal for yourself and then, work
hard for it and achieve it! Gheah!!;-)
How have yall been? How's life? What are you feeling? What are you thinking?
What are you going thru?
Just wanted to get back in touch and let you know how I am and see how you are...
Holla at me
Much love, always to my fam!
You're always on my mind
be safe out here..And we'll talk soon
Ak
July 13, 2006
Hey Family!
How r u?
How was your fourth?
Sometimes the fourth gets me to wondering how much of our independence is an
illusion? And how much true independence do we actually excersise?
In so many ways we are so blessed and have so much and so many of these "holidays"
we just know them to be days that we don't have to work or have long weekends.
There's so much celebration and partying surrounding them but do we even know
what we are really off from work for? And what we're celebrating about?
Anyway, not to start this off all intense but, its just interesting to think
about. On the other side though, spending time with people u love and love to
be with is always a beautiful thing.
That's what I did on my fourth
Good food, good folks and a great time. It made me give thanks for all the things
to be thankful for.
Did u have fun? What did u do?
Right now I'm in Kingston, Jamaica, for my first time getting ready to do the
video for the remix of Baby Cham's new song "Ghetto Story" that I
did with him.
It's gonna be HOT!
Baby Cham has been doing his thing for a minute but now is getting recognized
in a bigger way and I love how this song takes u back to our personal younger
days storys.
We all have different stories, different struggles but eventually we will get
through!! That's what this song makes me feel.
If u haven't heard the song yet, check for it.......get into it.......;-)
So, that's what's up.
Just wanted to hit u and see how u were and let u know I'm good!
Plus, all my folks in the tri-state area...If you're looking to experience that
good music, that TRUE HIP HOP Come through to SOB's in Manhattan (200 Varik
St @ the corner of West Houston) Tomorrow: Tues, July 11th at 9pm to celebrate
the release of Krucials EP "Take The Hood Back" featuring ILLZ!
It's on and poppin!
I'll talk to ya'll soon.....
Till then, Be safe!
June 29, 2006
Hey Fam!
I'm writing from the studio. In here doing my thing, writing, absorbing all
the information that I have been experiencing so that I can make sense of it
all and write about it. I love this process. I miss it when I'm not doing it!
But I was thinking about one of the posts y'all wrote that I was reading through
on the message board. The topic was something to the nature of what "Celebrities"
Really think about their fans.
It interested me because In essence it really answered the question of what
FANS, or better yet, lovers of music think of the artist they like.
Some of what was said kind of had a more negative tone to it. Giving the feeling
that some of you felt that Celebs USE their fans just to make a buck or get
exposure, that they don't really care about the true connection or the personal
side of it all.
I guess that’s true in some cases. Some people are just horrible
witches and are totally out for themselves cause that's the kind of shady world
we live in. But I think on a whole True artists (especially) are COMPLETELY
grateful for the love and support they receive. I think true artists know that
each individual who has a connection with them and their music is a SPECIAL
person who helps them to get their words out there. I think the real ones, know
that each day is a blessing and they want to thank you for falling in love with
the music over and over again and going toe to toe when someone wants to bash
your favorite artist!;-)
I mean true, can EVERY letter be personally answered? Probably not, but at shows,
or meet and greets, awards shows or even a chance meeting on the street, I think
a real artist would want to make it clear how thankful they are for that fact
that you are excited to see them. I know that’s how I feel.
Even if I'm exhausted, grouchy or heartbroken I always try to do all I can to
show the appreciation that I have for the person saying, " I admire you
so much" or "I love your music".
It seems like with everything being so accessable the real love for a great
artist has turned into nothing more than pages to fill a gossip magazine. But
at the essence of it all.....you are the reason we are here, the reason we can
sing and be heard, the reason that the love of music will never die and unites
us in the most wonderful way...... and I know that post wasn't direct at me
but if I haven't told you lately I'm so grateful to you! I'm thankful for every
letter, every post, ever Myspace message, every excited face in the audience,
every chance I get to shake your hand or give you a hug in person.
Anyway, I know there are some crabs out there, I've met ‘em
and that made me vow to neva be like that;-)
One love, just sending a thought your way.
Hope you're enjoying the beginning of summer. I LOVE THE HEAT!!!;-)
Talk to you soon,
Alicia
June 13, 2006
Music Music Music Music!!!!
I've just been in the studio VIBIN'
It's the best feeling. Just to get back into my zone on that side of things.
No cares, no thoughts, just abandonment! That's how I'm on it right now.....
Abandonment.....Freedom.......I Like it!
I'm sitiing here listening to Gnarls Barkley. I'm Lovin them. Fresh, Fun, creative.
Need That.
and Summer is around the corner. Everythings feeling all good. Smelling good.
Sun on my skin.
Even all this rain that we've been having has been right on for me.
I took a run in the rain. It felt so good to just get wet to the point were
you don't know if it is persperation or rain.......
Anyway, I'm talking about all kinds of things but as you can see I'm feeling
great. So. I just wanted to holla, let you know I was thinking aboutcha
I've been kind of rebelious on the electronic side.
just focusing on these songs in my head. When they start circling around and
bumping into each other I have to get them out;-)
So, let me ask you....who would you like to see me collaborate with?
Something INTERESTING
just your opinion
I have some crazy ideas, but I was wondering what you thought.
Whenever I start writing though, I like to get in my own zone first. I like
to listen to what my spirit is saying to me, what's in my mind. It's one of
my favorite parts of creating. listening.....
So, I'm headed back to the studio now
to get that good music going
Much love family,
Talk to you soon.
June 5, 2006
A while ago when I wrote, I told you alittle about part of my trip to Africa.
There is still more I need to write to u on that side, but while we were in
Durban, Nightline came to see some of the things Keep A Child Alive is doing.
They came with me while we visited clinics, while I talked to the people and
really got their side of the story, while we visited teenagers in Soweto who
are raising their own brothers and sisters since their parents have died from
AIDS and while I visited grandmothers who's children had died and are left to
raise their grandchildren. They were with me when I first saw the building that
with your help and support and donations KCA purchased! This building is incredible!!
Right now we call it the blue roof building and we plan to turn it into a never-b4-seen-state-of-the-art
facility that will help the surrounding area of Wentworth, Durban which is 40%
infected, receive the kind of treatment, care and opportunities that everyone
deserves.
Its all very exciting and so tonight on ABC at 11:30pm is the airing of some
of my pilgrimage to Africa on Nightline.
I def need yall to tune in and check out the way that this trip has totally
changed my life and how you and I together are doing so much to change the lives
of others.
For more info go to KeepAChildAlive.org
One love
Talk soon
A.
May 19, 2006
Just hopin' on for a quick minute to spread love to everyone who has been showing
nothing but love!
I feel all late to this myspace world, but it's fun to see all of your pictures
and faces and accept you as friends.
I know this is mad short but I'm on my way out the door. I went to that Roots
concert last night at radio city. BIG UP TO THEM for that real music and real
passion. I had FUN! The whole crowd was rockin'. You know how much fun it is
when you can just zone out to good music and everyone there is on the same page
as you...no frontin', no ice grillin' LOL!
Anyway, for real I'm MAD late, I gotta run out the door. I'll be on ALICIAKEYS.COM
alitte later to give yall a more indepth update.
Don't forget to check out KRUCIALKEYS.COM and MBKENTERTAINMENT.com
One Love to ALL my people!
AK
May 7, 2006
Family-
Its been a minute, I know
But so much has gone on in my life.
First of all I cant even believe its May already,
But the weather feels so good. You know Im a sucka for summer. Theres just nothing
like when the weather starts to break.
In a way I dont even know what to say really. I think thats why its taken me
so long to write. How can I put it into words?
Here I am, back from Africa.
Africa!
People keep asking me, How was it? or I cant wait to hear all about it
But how can I explain it? How can I really put into words what I saw and felt?
Im a writer aint I? Aint that supposed to be what I do? Yet, with as many songs
and thoughts that I have as a result of this trip I still dont know how to say
exactly what is inside of me, the way I felt, the inspiration, the devastation,
the frustration the mind numbationok, thats not a word, but u feel me.
Ive seen so much. My spirit has absorbed so much, yet Im speechless. I get so
riled up and I have all these thoughts and things to say and yet, it may just
all have to come out through song. Thats how it seems its going anyhow. Its
just going to pour out of me.
So, I want to take you back to one of the entries I wrote In my journal about,
so you can feel what I felt while I was there and then we can talk from there
Here.
Mombasa, Kenya April 6, 2006 (myspace entry)
Today was the first day of this incredible pilgrimage.
We went to one of the first clinics that Leigh (The founder of KCA) and Keep
A Child Alive built for children to be tested and treated for H.I.V.
Its called The Family Care Clinic and its a wing in a bigger hospital.
It was very moving to step foot in there and physically see, with my own two
eyes, the result of a show I did so long ago when the Diary album first came
out and KCA partnered with AOL and was able to shed a little light on the situation
and get people involved. All the people that were moved to do something are
the reason why this place is running, working, ticking. We are helping and it
was really AMAZING to experience this!
When we arrived, little girls singing a beautiful African song and then a youth
group, who spreads the word about safe sex and abstinence, singing Fallen to
me welcomed us.
Thats really big there. Groups of young people doing stage plays, singing and
acting to show what is going on with the AIDS pandemic. Its so fly to see our
generation so strong. Even stronger than the adults in many cases and really
being verbal and unafraid to speak up!
So we walked around the hospital and saw many children and families who were
there for treatment. I met and spoke to Molly and Weston- who both have AIDS
and are healthy from using the ARVs Keep A Child Alive provides. I also met
Anne and Brian who Ive heard about for a long time because Anne is one of the
main reasons that KCA exists. She helped to call Leigh to action because Anne
planted herself in front of a clinic about 5 years ago and said she wasnt leaving
until she got the medicine for her sick and dying son that was available in
America. It was that moment of understanding the pain a mother must feel, and
the unrelenting passion that a parent would have to keep their child alive that
gave Leigh the whole idea of which KCA was based on. So meeting Anne was something!
After seeing everything that was going on and meeting this adorable little boy
named Gabriel (who just grabbed onto my hand and never let go)
We went into what is called The Slums to meet Husna and her grandfather Samuel.
Husna and Samuel are one of the most common example of the Aids Pandemic-The
mother gone, passed away from AIDS, the child left behind with AIDS and the
only one left to raise the child is the grandparent. But Husna and Samuel are
special because Samuel LOVES Husna with all his heart enough to close his business
(their main way of eating and making a living) and stay with her everyday to
help her with her treatment (which is a pretty in depth process so you need
someone totally concentrated just on giving the child the treatment)
Its pretty incredible.
You see nothing but dirt roads, broken down homes, tin roofs, beautiful children
in tattered clothes, probably their only pair, no shoes but so striking and
playful. The most beautiful faces Ive ever seen. Shy and innocent. How? I dont
know but these kids are so pure.
We walked into Husnas house-, which is a small small room in a community of
many small small houses that many poor families live in. A communal area for
showers and bathrooms that everyone shares, no electricity unless you can buy
it (you pre-pay it each month) which most people cant, your living quarters
is a small square with 2 beds and at least 5 people occupying a tiny, sweltering
hot place. One girl Erika spoke to said that it was 7 of them in one of these
tiny rooms and most of the time 2 or 3 of them had to sleep on the street because
there just wasnt enough room for everyone.
Ive never seen anything like it. NEVER! I cant even describe it well enough
to really paint the picture.
Still, they are so strongly connected to GOD. Saying, With God all things are
possible
One might ask, Where is GOD Among all of this? But there is still so much real,
truthful faith and belief. And family is so important.
Husna, her sister and her family are stigmatized and ostracized because Husna
is infected. The whole neighborhood says, Dont play with Husna, and dont talk
to that family. Samuel is forced to take them far away to a school that takes
a long time to walk to, where nobody knows them, so they wont be tormented.
So, before I left I made sure to give Husna and her sister a BIG hug in front
of EVERYONE so they know, that Im not scared of them, that I think they are
beautiful and deserve the love and acceptance that everyone does.
Her grandfather Samuel has one shirt. ONE good shirt and has more dignity than
most of the people Ive ever met. It takes 200 dollars to go to school for A
YEAR in Kenya and we spend that in hours on handbags, shoes and jeans.
Its crazy the way that this trip put things in such perspective
This is just half of my first journal
Ill write you the rest the next time.
But enough about me
How are you?
Oh yea, and dont worry, I dont feel abandoned for myspace LOL!
Talk soon
October 27th, 2005
I am eternally humbled by the love and support that I receive from you. Seriously!
One of the main things I try to do, is the best I can. And then whatever comes
of it, at least I know I am proud of myself and that I feel content with the
work and effort I put into something. But to feel the appreciation reciprocated
so fully and completely amazes me. Seriously! I've learned to expect nothing,
but dream of everything I possibly can, then, there is no end, just endless
beginnings. I like it like that.
Another thing I like to do is give thanks. I like to give thanks for the little
things and the big things, the medium things, and the things that hurt cause
I know they are helping me to grow if I am listening closely enough. So, I want
to thank you because there is no time like the present and one can never say
it enough. Thank you for your genuine love and support. To me that is one of
the best presents in the world.
Now, let me answer a few of these questions that have been long overdue. Forgive
me in advance to for not being able to answer every single one. I
wish I could ;-)
1) When did you realize your true calling, your sole purpose in life?
When it came to singing, playing, writing, and performing, I knew it was for
me since the day my nervous self stepped on stage when I was 4 years old in
Kindergarten and sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", then I have felt
a sense of freedom when I sing, play, write and perform. In regards to my sole
purpose, I kind of hope that I never have only a SOLE purpose. I want to have
many purposes, and the more I live the more I hope to discover them.
2) How do you stay so humble in such a crazy industry?
I've always believed that fame or money or power or success or whatever you
want to call it, never changes you like people always try to say. Instead, it
makes you into the person that you always were but just felt you had to hide,
for whatever reason. I am a good person, I want to remain a good person, I want
to give love and receive it, and everything I do I think about whether or not
I would want it done to me and I never take anything for granted. Not ONE SINGLE
MOMENT. And that I feel, is how I am able to stay myself at the core.
3) How do you feel when you hear yourself on the radio or see yourself on TV?
The first, first time I ever heard my song, it was in a little room at some
convention years ago, with a bunch of industry executives. They just threw
on the song, on the humble, and the minute I heard it I was so embarrassed that
I ran out of the room. Jeff still makes fun of me because of that. Now,
I like to listen or check out a performance to give myself a little constructive
criticism. Cause I will always be a student of the game. And I still feel amazed,
and excited that it's little ole me on TV or that people sing the words of the
songs with me and it makes me proud. But mostly I don't really watch or listen
or read EVERYTHING. Something about over analyzing myself feels a little unnatural.
4) Do you ever get weirded out when fans think they know so much about you?
Naw, not really. I usually just take it as a compliment. But there was this
ONE time when I had to have my wisdom teeth out and I was trying to plan when
would be the best time to do it since I would need to take about a week off.
About a week or so before I was about to have it done. I was doing a performance
and someone yelled to me from the audience about me having my wisdom teeth out
and I hadn't even done it yet!! And NOBODY knew I wanted to do it except my
closest and most private folks. That kinda weirded me out and then I just said,
"Oh, it's official, they know more about me than I even know about myself!!!"
5) If you could go back to Alicia Cook for a day, what would you do?
I'd ride the train! From 42nd all the way to the Grand Concourse. I'm still
considering doing it now anyway!J
6) Are you a control freak?
I guess I am. I like to know that what I do, and what I'm involved in is the
best I can make it and I learned early that if you trust other people with your
vision, or what your trying to say or get across you will usually be disappointed.
That doesn't mean that I don't have WONDERFUL people who help me pull it off,
but I like to know every move and put my vibe into every ounce of it. I don't
think being a control freak has to be a bad thing as long as you don't turn
into an evil bastard!!
7) Don't you just hate packing?
Yea, I do! I'm never sure exactly what to bring but I have to admit, I'm getting
better at it after all the times I have to do it. Practice makes perfect I guess.
8) Do you suppose your life would be different if you had your father while
growing up?
Yes I do. I think my life would be completely different, and not necessarily
for the better to be honest. I believe that God puts us in the place where we
belong and I do feel like I would be a totally different person. Maybe I wouldn't
be as independent or strong-minded? Maybe I would feel insecure about myself?
Who knows, but I don't feel any regret about it. I've learned a lot and through
all ups and downs and sideways shyt. I am still glad about the way that I grew
up. God knew exactly what was right for me.
9) If you could give advice to parents about raising their teenager, what would
it be?
Well, each situation is different, and I feel a little strange giving advice
to a parent because I'm not one. But I believe you have to follow your instincts.
I think that keeping an open relationship is key.
Encouraging honesty so that even if it's not exactly what you want to hear at
least they would know they could come to you. Feel like there has to be boundaries
and definitely rules, but at the same time you have to give people space to
grow and spread their wings and find their own way and voice. Mostly I'd say,
stay on our a$$ and help us see the bigger picture and don't take no shyt! But
do fun things with us so that we get the opportunity to see new things and experience
things with you. It will keep us in contact with one another in some way. And
help us find things to do
that teach us something that we have a love for. You never know where that will
lead.That's just my perspective, but I'm sure you know much better than me.
All the best;-)
10) Will you ever make an album that is purely classical or jazz?
I have thought of this. I would like to do it. I have thought of doing brand
new Jazz and classical classics and then touring either with a quarter or just
a piano. It's wide open! There is so much that can happen.
Will you ever tour in Central or South America?
I'm dying to!!! Every time we set it up something crazy happens and it doesn't
work out. But I am not giving up and I will make it happen for sure. I can't
wait to experience the music and the vibe there and of course see my homies
like Klaudia C.
What does the "J" stand for?
Joseph
Is your personality the same in your private life as it is in public? Or do
you have a "professional personality" and a "real personality"?
I am who I am, and that's 4sho! No matter what! But everyday is different and
obviously there are some days that I feel low or down but I have to work and
I try to put on a happy face so I don't spread whatever I'm feeling to anyone
who doesn't deserve to feel the negative energy that I may be feeling. But I
don't have two personalities. What you see is what you get. Especially at a
show, however I feel, I usually let it all out there.
Aight ya'll!! You had some really great questions and I hope that I can answer
some more, but hopefully this answers some of the things that your were wondering.
Much Love,
And we'll talk soon
Sep 1, 2005 01:13 AM
Hey Family-
I am checkin in to share my support and honestly, feelings of devestation. It's
so unreal what is going on. I barely know what to think or say or feel. It's
like everything else seems so unimportant. All I'm wondering is how could it
have gotten to be so bad? And what about the "forgotten" people? The
ones that couldn't afford to evacuate, and have no place to go? The ones who
are trapped, praying for someone to save them? What about them?
In a way I feel so helpless but I also know that these are the tests that bring
out the best in us as human people. These are the things that go beyond color,
and religion, and sex and differences in beliefs. None of that matters. All
that matters is us bonding together and giving support. Time, Money, clothes,
food. The necessities. The bare essentials. I know there are some networks planning
some relief shows to help generate and raise money for all the people that need
it right now down there. That will be one way for us to know how to contribute.
Of course, calling the Red Cross, like was mentioned in one of the threads,
would be a great idea as well to see what is really needed and how we can help.
Or even speaking to someone you know that was personally there, or has family
there, may give you an idea and a way to help someone.
Sometimes I wonder is God testing our compassion? Saying, now more than ever
we need to be ONE HUMAN PEOPLE, caring for each other like we do our own blood
brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. Can we stand up to this challenge and
show GOD that all that has been given to us has not gone unnoticed and we understand
the urgency that is our duty and find even even one small way to help change
someones life that is living this nightmare and needs it desperately?
Tonight and today and tomorrow, let's all say a prayer for those that are suffering
and pray that this doesn't last any longer and pray for GOD to watch over all
of his children and bring them to safety. And then when we get up on the morning,
lets vow to do SOMETHING! ANYTHING! Even what seems like the smallest thing,
lets DO IT! and help to save our extended families.
Stay safe. Be smart. Take action.
Lets get involved!
This is our chance...
All my love and heart goes out to you and all those who have lost so
much and are suffering, don't give up hope.
Keep the faith in goodness.
Aug 14, 2005 09:51 PM
Hey-
I'm stuck in the damn airport. I've been here for like 3 hours cause there is
a crazy storm coming in and holding any incoming planes up. Sometimes you have
to realize the things you can't control and let it go. That's hard to do sometimes,
but right about now I have no other choice;-)
I'm happy some of you have heard "Unbreakable" I am so excited about
this live album. It's always a pride and joy kind of feeling to do things for
the first time. So I've been locked away in the lab mixing the album and making
sure that this unplugged album will stand the test of time. So hopefully years
and years down the line this will be something that is remembered and loved.
ANYWAY, how has your summer been? I finally made it to the beach the other day.
I forgot How much I love it there. We stayed there until the sun set and I swam
out onto the floating dock and watched it set....well at least I tried but there
were to many clear jellyfish (the kinds that DONT sting) and
I got too weirded out! LOL! B4 the summers over I'm gonna try to head to some
kind of amusement park, like great adventures. that will be fun. Nothing like
a good loud scream of abandonment!
They told us they were waiting for one more flight attendant who got stuck in
traffic before we can take off, and apparently now she's here. So let me go
before I miss the flight I've been waiting so long for......;-)
b4 I go, are there any burning questions you've ben wanting to ask me....good
ones, not the average silly ones, but something you've been wondering that I
never answered. I mean I can't imagine what it is, sometime I feel like you
guys know more about me than I do! LOL Anyway, it's been awhile since we've
done that, I'm I'm really interested in
finding out, what you wonder......
Wish me a safe fight, and have a good night
talk to you soon...
Jul 17, 2005 07:42 PM
A Big Big up TO BROOKLYN!!!! For welcoming me during an amazing taping of my
very first unplugged album. Yeah! BK All day!;-)
A Big Up to everyone from NYC, Around the country and around the world who came
through with so much love, good energy and excitement! The vibe was soooo right!
And A BIG UP to everyone who wasn’t able to physically be there but who
was there in spirit. I felt yall and I want to thank you for giving me so much
love and support. I promise when the show airs and the DVD comes out you will
feel like you are right there with me, cause you are!
This Thursday still has me on cloud 30-something! It was so beautiful to be
able to end an incredible couple of years and this album with this tribute to
music at its essence. Where it’s all about the songs, the music, the people
and how it moves us.
Each and every song has a different flow. I did this special, just for yall
so we can enjoy this moment forever! Feel me?
It felt so good to be able to be in such an intimate place and see each and
every face, so many of them I’ve known for years. We’ve been down
with each other for years! That realization made my heart smile and it felt
like old times when it was just me and a keyboard, a couple of spontaneous jokes
to break the ice and my songs.
This time I did have a little more than a keyboard;-)
I had my drummer, Paul John
My MD (musical Director) Onree Gill
My guitar Player, Arty White
My bass player, Steve Mosten
My man Pablo Baptista on Percussion
Chops on the horns, and flute
A string quartet
And a 9ft piano
And every moment felt special
Whether it was a raw version of Woman’s Worth, a funky version of Heartburn,
the strings and me on a remake of one of my favorites called “Every little
bit hurts”, Us having to redo the intro because the mics for the percussion
had a technical issue, of one of the new songs I introduced (that was fun!)
It was something that felt unique, like we were in someone’s living room
vibin’ out
And I’m so happy to share this place, this moment in time with ALL of you.
It is a beautiful blessing that we ALL get to share in.
Big Shout to Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley, Krucial, Jeff Robinson, The whole
Krucialkeys family, MBK and MTV for coming together with me and making this
something timeless, something that will last forever!
And those of you whose eyes are reading this at this moment, I am so grateful
to you! You are my inspiration, yall are my solid rocks, and you are my family!
And I love yall truly!
Forever your friend,
AK
May 30, 2005 07:43 PM
Heeeeelllllooooooooo out there!!!!!!
What's good?
Everything is good for me on this side because I’m HOME!!!!!! and I am
soooo excited to have finished such an amazing tour! an unbleiveable album run!
and just experiencing so much about myself and life! and I made it!!!!!!! 1
year and a half on the road and I’m still standing strong and feeling great!
to be home is like the most exhilarating feeling!
My bed, my sheets, my pillow, my kitchen, my couch, my slippers, my own space…....
of all the places I’ve been to, theres nothing like being home.
How can I begin to explain all that has gone on? from the amazing concerts that
we rocked out to together, to the legendary weekend in Santa Barabara with Ms.
Oprah and some of the most amazing woman I’ve only dreamed of meeting and
talking to all being in one room, to traveling all over the world, to going
to schools with FTGU and really touching and talking to people and being involved
in something special, to this upcoming prilgramage that I’m doing with
KCA…theres so much. Where do I begin?
I think I’m having sensory overload:-)
(in a good way)
and that’s why it’s such an incredible feeling to just be able to
be here, on my couch, with no where to go, for the first time in so long and
just talk to you..…
So what’s been up?I know ya’ll have been growing so much and going
through soo many different things and experiences and now that summer is coming
doesn’t it feel so good? just to know that the weather is going to be nice,
and all the summer days and nights yet to feel.
I’m telling you, booooyyyeeeee this summer I’m gonna have fun! I’m
going to go to museums and photo galleries, I’m gonna go swimming and to
the beach, I’m gonna visit family I haven’t seen and cousin’s
I haven’t hung out with in a while, I’m gonna barbQ, and play cards,
I’m gonna take long drives with all the windows down blasting my favorite
songs, I’m going to be me in a way I haven’t been able to in a while
since we’ve been on the grind for so long!
I guess you can tell I’m excited:-)
Anyway, this is just the beginning of all the talking and communication that
we’re gonna be able to have, cause I’m HOME!!!!!!!!!
peace to the fam, and one love for ALL the love that you constantly give! ya’ll
are my rocks, my foundation, my peeps, my family! and my appreciation for you
runs deep.
talk to you soon friends…....
Mar 28, 2005 08:09 PM
Fam-a-lam
How's the breeze blowing?
Everything is good over here! I mean, a lot is happening, but I'm feeling great!
And there is so many people from the fam that I've been able to meet and chill
with and it's been real cool. The show is going incredibly well. It's so much
fun to put this show together, and to be able to see it blossom and grow into
something real. It's so much fun every night to transform into this time and
place. It feels real. Like I belong in that time, a time of big music and big
fun, sensual songs and real gentlemen and ladies. I like living in that world
for that hour and a half.
I also feel like I've been learning so much lately. Like the craziest situations
will happen and at first I'll wonder why but then I'll realize that it's all
to show me something, to teach me something. Even though sometimes is uncomfortable
to get the lesson from different situations, instead of getting mad or frustrated.
There is so much to build from, So much to grow into.
There is so much to question. For real, cause something else I've noticed is
people WILL NOT volunteer information. They will try to take as much advantage
of our ignorance as possible. That's why one of the most important questions
I ask whenever necessary is WHY? If someone can't explain why, then they are
not telling you everything, they're not telling the whole truth.
Someone I know called me blunt the other day. Saying “You don't have to
be so blunt". And it's true you don't have to be blunt in a mean way, But
I think it's really good to be a blunt, honest person. Say the truth as you
mean it. I think there are so many things that become misunderstood or not handled
properly because everyone gets into this habit of saying half the truth. For
whatever reason. Be it not to hurt someone, or offend someone, or come off badly
.but in the end all of those negative things happens anyway, if you don't say
what you really mean. Of course there is a thing called tact .which is just
the way in which you choose to say something. cause just the way you form an
answer can be the difference between offending someone or not, sounding mean
or not, being a jerk or not. Ya know? It's delicate. As important as it is to
tell the truth, it is just as important to put some thought into what you say
and the way you say it.
Anyway, I'm kind of rambling at this point.
The Unplugged album is looking really good. Everything is not 100% official
yet, but if all goes well (which it will) we will shoot it sometime in July
and it will be such an experience to be able to break down my songs to their
simplest, purest form. I'm already thinking of different arrangement and songs
I'll want to include. I'm really looking forward to it.
Well, I'm bout to head off and get a massage. Just relax and think and chill.
The road is rough on your body, but I love it with all my heart!
Once again every time, you show me how much we have grown to mean to each other
and how I have the best FAM on the planet!!
One love always.
And Thank you so much for your continuous generosity when it comes to “Keep
A Child Alive”. It means so much in a world often so shallow.
Till next time
(which hopefully wont be 6 months from now)
LOL! I'm kidding!!!!!!
Yours,
AK
Feb 17, 2005 01:05 AM
Forgive me for taking so long. I've barely had a minute to even sit with all
that has happened back to back. But NOTHING has touch me as deeply as this amazing
selfless gift that you have given me for my birthday! I can't believe how thoughtful
you all have been. That you have thought bigger than any individual gain of
you or I and went directly to the bigger picture where indeed it is true that
we as a people CAN and WILL change the world....means more to me than these
words can ever express!
Sometimes when you speak you wonder if anyone is even listening. If anyone understands
the depth of your words.
You absolutely do and have!
And I want to thank you for the best present I've ever recieved in my entire
life!
I am thanking you for me and I am thanking you for all these kids and mothers
and families that you are helping to do a daily Miracle.....LIVE!
My goodness, I am speachless!
and you all are more special than I could have ever imagined!
truly!
My love 4ever!
Your friend,
Alicia
Dec 30, 2004 02:02 AM
I was floating through the boards and I came across a post about love. I found
it interesting because the ARE so many degrees of love (as you all said in varying
ways).
But it got me to thinking about the word and definition of love. How much we
seem to depend on others to make us feel loved. Yet even that is a strange thought,
because on one hand if we depend on others to tell us, show us, that they love
us and we spend all of our time waiting for them to fulfil our expectations
about love. then we don't take anytime to love ourselves, or fall in love with
ourselves or know ourselves, or treat ourselves lovely or lovingly its like
we get stuck in this pattern of defining love by what someone ELSE feels about
us instead of how we feel about OURSELVES!
On the other hand, no matter what anyone says, everyone needs someone to love,
someone they can show their love to and receive love in return, ya know?
Then there are times when we get so afraid of love, that we get so afraid of
love, that we don't even take the chance with it. And never know the power of
depth and goodness that love can bring. Even if it ends one day, then we at
least were fearless enough to experience it while it lasted and gain from it
what we may.
Then there's that love that we think is love because we are attached to it in
some deep way and we THINK it feels good, but really it's more often bad and
hard to deal with or breaks our hearts and is really unhealthy for us. But we
continue to deal with it because somewhere inside of us we really feel that
LOVE can change the situation for the better.
I don't know, it's a mystery in a way this love thang.
But I guess there are certain things about love that are forever, like if you
give it you will get it. If you believe in it, it will exist for you. And even
where you're in love you can't be blind. Because if you don't love yourself,
no one else will know how to.
It's necessary for us to love ourselves and know we deserve only the best from
the people we give our love to and nothing less. Or they don't deserve us. That's
the most important thing about love to me.
Thoughts on an interesting topic.
Dec 25, 2004 11:34 PM
You didn’t think I would forget to write this year huh? ;-)
Merry Christmas family!
Right now, I am in my crib listening to Nat King Cole sing me Christmas carols.
I feel blessed to be able to spend this Christmas in a warm home and reflect
on the things that really mean something to me. After going, going, going this
is like the best present in the world for me!
I know how distorted Christmas can get. Sometimes it seems like everyone is
in it for all the wrong reasons. Every channel on TV is buy, buy, buy, sell,
sell, sell! And it gets very frustrating. We wonder, has everyone lost the meaning?
In some ways maybe we have, and that’s why so many of us feel lost during
Christmas. Maybe that’s why we feel purposeless, or just bored and down.
But although Christmas has become "commercialized", there are certain
things about Christmas that will never die.
One of them being, the birth of greatness. No matter what you believe in, spiritually
or religiously, that greatness means you and me! The day we were born represents
a miracle. We represent that anything is possible. We are the culmination of
love. We are everything embodied in flesh and blood. So when they talk about
Christmas being the birth of Christ, it also symbolized the birth of you and
I and the way that we can give people joy. That is what the celebration is about.
Everything we are is amazing! Everything we can be is limitless!
The other thing that will never die no matter how commercialized Christmas becomes
is . LOVE
For real, the whole world revolves around it. We all need someone to love us,
someone that says no matter what, I am here for you, I will love you through
your mistakes and walk with you on this journey you are traveling. Love is the
real reason for Christmas. To show love to everyone you meet. Give someone that
gift once a day. Even when Christmas is long gone ..It’s like, this time
of year reminds us of the goodness that is in the world, the purity that is
within us, the compassion that we have to offer.
The joy we can give, with a smile, a hug, the words, "I love you".
The meaning of the little things that can be taken for granted on a regular
basis.
So, don’t be disappointed in Christmas. Use it to face the hate that surrounds
us and combat it with love. If you see something happening in your family, in
your life, on the street, anywhere around you that makes you sad, or makes you
feel hurt, use Christmas as a time to talk about it. Maybe tell someone that
you love them and you’ve noticed their sadness and as someone who cares
you just want to be able to talk or listen. Sometimes the sadness comes from
years of no one listening, or even caring to ask. Not that we can solve all
problems, but if we talk more, we can understand each other more, ya know? We
just get mad and never say anything because we’re too angry to address
our feelings.
I think maybe that’s the lost art of Christmas time CARING!
Not about silly things we can buy at the store. But about what’s in each
other’s hearts. If we talk more, we can judge less.
There are so many suffering, so many that don’t even have a family to visit,
let alone talk to. There are so many who are sick and can’t afford a hospital
let alone a gift for their children. There are so many things going on in the
world and with all of us as well. Lets make Christmas a time to remember at
least one thing we have to be thankful for, to be happy about, to celebrate.
ONE thing. Even something as simple as laughter or a smile.
That one thing can put everything into perspective.
We are the greatest creation in the universe and with our CARING we are the
greatest gift to each other.
Let’s live in the spirit of goodness and feel the power of love all year
long.
Happy Holidays my family.
I wish you all the love in the world.
Alicia
Now 28, 2004 01:34 AM
Honestly, I haven't written for awhile because I was trying to get over the
games cats was playing about the death of that young lady. I didn't think that
was funny.In fact, there always will come a time when people want to take advantage
of your sincerity. Feel me when I say that shit wasn't cute! But I know that
didn't represent everyone, and one monkey don't stop no show!
Anyway moving on... far, far away
Getting home for the holidays is a BEAUTIFUL feeling!!! Can't even describe
it. i got home on Tuesday night from an amazing day in Chitown, and I've been
doing my best to relax ever since.
Seeing the faces that I love, eating great food. I played more scrabble in these
last two days than my entire life. I never thought I liked it like that, but
hey, now I know! And I stay getting beaten by 10 years old! It's pretty pathetic,
but so cute!
I've had such a ball meeting you on another side whit this book. I love the
way you come to me whit the pages of the poem that you like the best open. That
makes me smile the
biggest cheese It amazes me to see the words that resonate within different
people. I wonder sometimes, what way you are interpreting it, Ya know? Like
is it directly from a place in your life? Or are you picturing mine? I don't
know, but it's interesting to think about. When I read Langston Hughes or someone
that I love, I guess I kind of read into it both ways. What provoked him to
write it and how he's talks about my life in some way. I guess the reality is
that anything we can relate to comes from the fact it feels like something out
of our life, our experience in one way or another. Right?
It's been incredible to see you in this new light, through these words that
continue to bind us together.
I have till Monday off, then off to Toronto for the Urban Aids concert. I can't
believe I haven't been to Canada whit this album yet. How did that happen? I
love it up there, so I'm excited about going. This year has been unreal .and
dammit, it ain't done! LOL
Well, just wanted to holla atcha I know It's been awhile.
Wishing you the best of the holidays, the gosdness, the love, the family, the
magic!
Giving thanks for every day
Love=love
Oct 28, 2004 12:29 PM
Family,
I'm just coming on.
It's so crazy when you lose someone, expecially when you see or hear from that
person everyday in someway. It's like this shock,that makes you realize your
own mortality, or rather, just how you never know what life can bring.
I remember the day I met Leah on the ladies first tour. There was a big group
that she was with, a mixture of people, and I remember these little kids in
particular that I had so much fun meeting and buggin' out with. But when I saw
her, it lit me up even more because I knew her from the boards and that's always
really special to me. Putting a face with the name is something I love. She
was shining bright, excited! And we talked about things and laughed and took
that picture. Immediately when I heard the name and heard what happened, I knew
who it was.
Memories are sweet because they never let you stop holding onto the goodness
that you experience with people that you connect with. You can call on them
anytime, when you need it.
The only thing for us to do is to live life with renewed excitement and wonder,
because each day is such a brand new experience. With new tastes, new views,
new visions, new smells, new parts to discover within us and outside of us.
We are so blessed to open our eyes. To be able to get out of bed, and walk and
see and smell and taste, and laugh and cry, all those things we do everyday
so frivolously. We are so blessed even when we are sad or pained because it
makes us see all the sides we have within, makes us more compassionate, and
allows us to appreciate that shine we have inside.
God is with us every second, in every mile, in every smile, in every tear, and
now.
I think I can speak for all of us when I say we send our condolences to Leah's
family and wish them peace in their hearts during this difficult time. And we
are proud to have Leah as an angel protecting us.
Thank God everyday!
For life,
For endless possibility,
For angels
All my love
Alicia
Oct 18, 2004 01:00 PM
What’s good?
Everything is everything over here. I see things are still poppin as usual on
the home front.
I was going to write a whole thing about what’s going on over here, but
I don’t think now is the time; I’ll wait a little while. The one thing
that I have to say is really good about everyone always having different opinions
on who you are and what you should or shouldn’t be is that it really challenges
you to know how YOU really feel. It’s very interesting I must say. It’s
a very good character study, in a way. Self-character study if you know what
I mean. If I was out here concerned with what every single person thought was
right or wrong, I would surely be insane by now. I say this for all of us, really.
Not for anyone in particular, so please don’t go taking these words all
personal, I mean this in general, as a whole. We all have to know that each
of us are different, and we all have different things that we are experiencing
and learning that make us into ourselves. We have to spread our wings. How does
it feel when the wind blows through them? How would we know if we never opened
them up? Don’t, not do what you feel because you don’t want people
to judge you or you don’t want people to have something negative to say.
Please, that’s a prison sentence. Making choices to suit others? Or god-forbid,
even worse, staying the same so that no one will question your intentions? Oh
my goodness that’s like burying yourself. I just hope that we don’t
stifle ourselves and stop ourselves from our greatness or even our greatest
mistakes because we fear what others think of us, instead let us be honest with
what we think about OURSELVES!!!!!!! We’re so quick to talk about everyone
else, but what about ourselves? What about looking at ourselves?
I’ll tell you what; the biggest thing I’m looking at with myself now
is how I can make a change. How I can make a change on a bigger level? The first
step for me is making sure that I am a part of this years’ election. This
to me is for sure one of the most important dates we will live through and be
a part of. Feel my urgency! I know a lot of us still feel a helpless feeling
but we gotta negate that! We are not helpless. We are unaware of the power we
are capable of. We are limitless and we have to help each other to be unstoppable
and relentless with this, this year. I challenge us to not let this slip through
our fingers. Let’s look at ourselves and see the power. Let’s encourage
each other instead of judging each other and lets go VOTE! I appreciate all
of your opinions, I think they are all valid, now let’s take our strong
opinions and use it for something unforgettably worthwhile. Let’s show
them that we know what’s going on in the world and we won’t be taken
for a ride of their choosing. Let’s show them that we are the heartbeat
of America and we want to stand up!
For any more info go to
www.yourvotematters.org
Let’s do this!
AK
Oct 6, 2004 12:44 PM
HIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!
I'm here in Singapore getting the hair braided up.
I've been having a ball here!
Every morning I wake up and look out the window onto Beijing, Kuala Lumpur,
Hong Kong, or Singapore and I'm in awe......Wow, How am I here?
Anyway, I'm really trying to make sure I see these beautiful places so far away
from what I know and where I grew up. Last night I went on a Night Safari. Incredible.
Seeing all these nocturnal animals, without cages. Watching them. Hearing the
sound of the wind and the noises of the jungle. I saw bats up close. They were
actually cute. Asian Elephants, leopards, lions, A golden cat,flying squirrels,
hyenas, swamp deer, and so many other beuatiful Animals. The sad thing is that
there used to be so many more of them. Many of them are on the verge of extinction,
but to see them up close reminds you of how precious and special God's creatures
are.
Then today I went out to the market in Chinatown and saw the most beautiful
things. Masks hand carved out of gorgoeus woods, beads of jade and tiger eyes.
I had so much fun it was ridiculous! I had the best Fish with Ginger and beansprouts
with smoked fish. It sounds kind of scary, but it was the BOMB!! It was nice
to experience traditional Singapore.
Now, I'm gearing up to do the show tomorrow and i have a crazy good feeling
about it!! The people here are kind. Open and giving. I love the vibe. I love
the culture, I love how God is so present in everyday life. A first priority.
This is probably one of the most memorable times in my life. I'm taking a million
pictures and recording everything. I just don't want to forget.I don't want
to wake up 25 years from now, and only see one big blur. I want it to be clear.
I want to really have lived these moments, not just have past through them.
Ya know?
Thank God
for you, for this, for life....everyday
I'll talk to you soon
p.s. miss you too!
Oh yea and P.P.S
That stupid ass My boo cover is DEFINETLY a fake!!! I am a stand up woman, you
think I'd EVER be caught behind some man looking like a damn backdrop??? NEVER!!!
When I saw that damn picture I was furious someone would even put my name on
some bullshit like that. Y'all already knew that I know, but just to put your
mind at ease, That is a bogus piece of computer fiction.
eeewwwww, some people have NO class!!
ok, now that that's off my chest we can go back to reality.
Sep 23, 2004 04:13 PM
Oh yea, one more thing
I LOVED the book! It is beautiful and soooo kind of all of you to send such
warmth out here to me on this cold road.;-) Ya'll are so thoughtful and the
way the book is put together is sooo creative. ( I love the cover!)
There's no one like you!
thank you
love,
Ak
Sep 23, 2004 04:00 PM
So here I am, half way across the world. I still can't believe it! My body is
toooooo confused. LOL! Right now it is 3:42 AM in China, 3:42 pm in New York,
and 12:42 pm in L.A where I just was before coming to China so you can see why
my body is looking at me like, "huh?"
It took us 12 hours to fly here. One of the longest flights I've ever taken.
But some of my crew left from NY and that is a 16-hour flight. Wow! But I have
to say, long flight or not, I am ecstatic about being here! About going to Malaysia
and Indonesia, and Hong Kong, and Japan, and Australlia and New Zealand, and
there's more but I can't think of them right now. But I'm just like, how does
this happen? How does the music swim so far across so many oceans and so many
cultures and so many languages? How does it bring us together like this in such
a heavenly way? That's why I KNOW GOD is in the music. There is no other explanation!
Today I went to this place called the Forbidden City, where the Ming Dynast
Ruled. It's incredible to go to these places and imagine what it was like in
the days that they existed. These are whole huge places with beautiful designs
and intention, Grandeur to the point of conceit. But this was a way of life,
culture and tradition and belief like no other that lasted thousands and thousands
of years. It's amazing.
I close my eyes and try to picture life then
Tomorrow is the first trip I make to the Great Wall of China. I can't wait to
see it. Imagine all of those many hands building ONE wall! Can you imagine?
All of those many people coming together to create that one, long, huge barrier,
It's unbelievable almost. Those are the things that make us more powerful than
we ever think. Those are the things that show us the greatness of our collective
unity. Those are the reasons we're created in God's likeness. We so so so special.
And if you are ever unsure, think of this!
It is late here
I'm going to get some rest for
tomorrow.
Talk to you soon
Much respect
Ak, from the other side of the world
Sep 8, 2004 12:35 AM
OK, don't beat me up;-)
I know it's been awhile. I'm trying to think of the last time we spoke. Let
me check
DAMN! Almost a whole month??
Wow! I don't blame you if you feel neglected. But of course, it's never, ever
my intention.
Anyway, No, I haven't been asleep for that long;-) I've been we'll I guess you
know what I've been doing. In fact you guys know things about me, I don't even
know. I read some things you post and I'm "Wow! Am I doing that?"
LOL!
One thing that you don't know is I snuck away on a little vacation right after
the VMA's. I know that with everything that is going to be going on; going to
China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, things are going to be pretty strenuous,
so I knew that I'd better take a little rejuvenation time while I could snatch
it. I did and it was gorgeous. I went to the mountains. The sun would be bright
and beautiful and then around 4pm, the skies would open and it would pour down
rain, It smells soooo good. Liquid sunshine. Isn't that a crazy visual? I got
a chance to just be. Niice! What else?
The Karma video is bananas! I don't know if you're ready .;-)
It's late, this is kind of a bogus entry being that I've been away so long (I
can admit it) but I just wanted you to know that I haven't vanished off the
face off the diary. Ha! I'm here, ain't going nowhere. We gots lots more to
do together Shit! We're just warming up.
One love forever!
Ak
Aug 14, 2004 12:31 AM
Peace fam,
How are you feeling? I’m feeling well. Promised myself that I’m going
to get some nice , sleep-till-you-wake-up-sleep tonight. It’s been a little
while so I’m overdue for some R&R. But of course as I’m relazing
and getting ready from some shut-eye, I had to slide through and see what’s
going on with my road dogs!!!!!!
So basically, I guess you have figured out the voice mail number is no longer
in existence. I loved being able to have a secret connection with ya’ll,
but as you see it’s causing WAY to much trouble. First, with all the crazy
things on the news with people that are getting harassed. (I feel bad about
that cause who wants to get 50 million calls that are not even for you! ;-))
and then with whatever smart ass hacking into my voicemail and leaving some
BOGUS message, that just put the icing on the cake! I mean I was willing to
be dogged in the press about people receiving random phone calls, but for someone
to disrespect my privacy and leave some phoney message? I’m not feeling
that! So I had to dead it!
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry cause I have some fly ideas that I
think will make up for that. I’ll let you know about it once it’s
all solidified .
Right now I’m chillin’ out listening to some old Roberta Flack. I
love it. A nice way to end the night and enter into my Sleep-till-I wake-up-sleep
that I’m so looking forward to.
There’s been a lot of going on, much I’m sure that you want to know
about but I’m gonna have to tell you when I wake up LOL!
Don’t hold me to that, but you know I’ll be back soon to holla.
Take care of yourself and for all those that were wondering .
HELL MUTHAF*CKN YEAH I’m VOTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I’m expecting all my people on here that can vote to rock with me on
that!!!!!!!!;-)
And even if you can’t personally vote, I’m counting on you to urge
someone that you know who can, to do it for you, for them, for US!
One love
Always yours
AK
P.S. So ya’ll liked my feisty interview? I had no idea I was feeling that
defiant until I read it and remembered my state of mind.
Hey, its good to be raw and uncut sometimes, why not?;-)
Jul 31, 2004 04:13 AM
I have a serious Staying-up-to-late problem
But before I go to bed I’m gonna answer some of those silly questions from
a million years ago. LOL!
Do U like Rollercoaster’s?
When I was little I used to like anything except the ones that flipped around
in the air. I am more of a water park kinda girl but now I love rollercoaster’s
too. I get CRAZY nervous before it starts. That’s the thrill though, and
there’s nothing like it!
Have u ever forgotten words on stage?
Yep! It’s pretty funny, cause while I’m singing I realize that I’m
singing the wrong thing. Then by that time the crowd has helped me get back
on track or I just start freestylin’
How long does it take you to sign fan club photos?
At the expense of legible handwriting I have become a human printing press!
LOL
Are u afraid to be recognized at the bakery?
I’m not really the bakery type, but maybe I should get into it;-)
When are you coming to Denver?
I know right? I feel the same way.
Boxers or briefs?
I like the ones that are kind of a mixture of the two. Unless the boxers are
silk ..
What’s your favorite perfume?
My favorite is this new one I’ve discovered called honey water. It’s
light and gentle and a beautiful scent
R you cranky in the morning?
I’m pretty good at getting up. I’ve always had to be able to function
on little sleep, so I’m pretty good at it. But after about a week or two
of very little sleep I DEFENTLY get cranky
How many copies did you buy of your own cd?
That’s funny because I have a little ritual. I believe that if you don’t
support yourself, no one else will. So at 12am the night the album is released,
I go into at least one record store and cause a big fuss. I go over to the section
where they are selling my CD’s and I start saying things like, “ Have
ya’ll heard this? This right here is FIYAH!!!” and things like that.
Then all the people look at me like I’m crazy until they figure out what’s
going on and a little mini signing event usually happens. Then I’ll pick
up about 30 copies and set if off! That’s always fun and everyone in the
store gets a kick out of it.
It usually provokes people who maybe wouldn’t buy the album to get one
just so that they can give some one they know an autographed album. I act a
fool! Pretty funny huh?
What animal would u compare yourself to?
A Jaguar!
Goodnight
Good morning
What ever it is I’m going to sleep
Talk to you soon
Alicia
Jul 27, 2004 01:49 PM
Well, Here I am, on a rainy tuesday afternoon, in New York City. And there's
no place I'd rather be! It's soooo nice to be home. Europe was INCREDIBLE! I
mean really UNFORGETTABLE!!! Every single place holds its own memories. London,
Manchester, Paris, Vienne, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Amsterdam, Italy,
Spain, Germany. And that's just to name a few. I could go on and on it seems.
This was so special and although I was gone for 2 months straight (Europe) and
2 months straight before that (U.S.) this has definately been one of my most
memorable summers EVER! Really. So thank you everyone out there, for having
a ball with me and teaching me so much, for showing me so much!
Now, I'm here taking out my braids.I just want my hair to be free. All my wild
and crazy curls are gonna be happy!!!
LOL
I plan to go see my nana and catch up on some good ole family time. That is
always so rejuvenating and necessary.
There's a lot coming up that I'm so excited about. I'm shooting the video for
Karma in about 2 weeks (and YES it will be in Europe AND the U.S so no worries)
It's going to be different for me; a new style. I like it like that! I also
have come up with a title for the book that I am ready to share with you. I'm
going to call it "Tears for water" The whole explanation of why I'm
calling it that is in the book so I won't spoil the suprise and tell you, but
I love it!! I can't believe that my first book is going to be published. It's
unreal in a sense. But my while heart is in there.
At first I was a little nervous about that, feeling as if it would be "exposing"
too much. But after going through the process, It's really been refreshing and
challenging in a good way!! It taught me and reminded me a lot about myself
and I'm proud to be able to let you into another side of my mind..
This morning I made me some breakfast after crawling out of my OWN bed and I
looked around and thanked GOD for always keeping us safe. Each day we open out
eyes WOW! What a miracle! Don't forget!
All my love
Alicia
Jul 13, 2004 11:34 AM
Here I am in Barcelona! One of my favorite cities I'm discovering.
Althought the sun isn't as bright as I wish it was, It's still beautiful here.
I always get lost in the language. It mesmorizes me. I'm on the way to the venue,
Just wanted to write and say hey. All is well, looking forward to the show tonight
and seeing all the fam that is gonna be there. I can always spot you in a crowd;-)
I love the enthusiasm!
Just a quick hello
I'll write soon.........
P.S BIG UP to everyone whose been supporting "The Reign" The Brand
New KK mixtape. It's crazy! This tape is hot like fire, I'm rocking to it right
now!
Love the fam
stay up!
Always,
AK
Jul 10, 2004 12:14 PM
There are so many things to write about.
Let me start with The Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland.
Coming to Switzerland was a nice change because the sun was there to welcome
us. Nice to feel it on your face. It's amazing how much the weather can affect
your attitude. The way the mountains and the water met and followed each other
up and down the street was so much like a painting. It was beautiful. The streets
were electric with all the people excited about the festivities. The feeling
permeated the air. And me, I'm jus thinking the whole time, how many incredible
people had been here before me. As I looked out on the streets I wondered about
how the people must have looked and dressed and seemed to somebody like Miles
Davis when he came and played here.
We did the show that night and it was beautiful, magical and very exciting.
Once again the whole time I was just thankful to be able to play in a place
that had so much history. But honestly it wasn't until the next day that I truly
got the full spectrum of just how much history Montriux held.
We were invited up to the house of the man who started the festival over 38
years ago. He lived up in the mountains and if the view was incredible from
my hotel room down below, I can't even begin to explain the way the view looked
from up aobve. The mountains were immense. The sun was so warm and the way ever
single chair and hammock was set up toward the vast view made you reflect as
you looked out onto the water and the hills. It did feel like everywhere you
turned could be a painting. As if you were merely a vision from an artist from
above. Which we are, but you felt it. And it made me see how differently you
can see life, depending on how you live it. I felt the beauty of the world from
up there and the way that your mind can be clear to think. Anyway, that's only
some of the point. But the rest is what left me feeling...I don't know I can't
describe, let me just explain.
The Gentleman who started this festival has an unbelievable archive of ALL the
people that have ever performed at the Montreux Jazz festival. I'm talking about
all 38 years of it. It's incredible. Every single person that has ever graced
the stage. Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Nina Simone.
And that is just to name a few.
He put on the performance of Aretha Franklin in 1971, it was one of the most
incredible things I'd ever seen. She had to be like 23 years old. She was a
baby and singing and playing the piano with all her heart. You felt her spirit
leap onto the screen. It was indescribable! But the most amazing one was to
see Nina Simone Play in 1976. She had just come back from Africa and you could
feel her anger. You could feel her intense feelings about the way that musicians,
especially black Musicians were treated, the way people were treated and all
that was going on in America that she obviously felt ambivalence toward. You
could tell she felt like she didn't really belong anywhere. But her playing...Oh
my goodness her PLAYING!!!!!She played the piano as if her life depended on
it. Her fluidity was incredible. She was speaking exactly from her heart and
her pain and her insecurities and all the things that made her think, politically,
personally, in every way came out through the piano and her voice. Her expression
was genuine and real and deep! And it was really something that ripped through
my whole core!!! All the times that I have ever thought about how much I wish
I could see some of my favorite artists that are no longer here, and how I would
just like to see the way they did it, what their approach was, things like that.
And I was looking directly at it, with my own two eyes. I was mesmerized and
inspired beyond belief.
It got me to thinking. It's like the thing about artists then, is how serious
they were about their craft! How artists like Nine Simone, James Baldwin, and
Langston Hughes, they THOUGHT! They had things to say! and opinions about what
was going on around them, about things that others were afraid to discuss. They
embraced the challenged and said what the heart of the people were thinking
but never would have the voice to express. They were the leaders of a movement
of a generation that needed to be heard. They were not so afraid and not so
stuck on the fame or the money, but the message and standing their ground, creating
their own freedom.
It affected me in such a deep way. It made me feel like I want to be remembered
for things like that. Important things. I am still finding my way like we all
are, but I want to search deeper and be remembered for being different, for
being unafraid to be vocal and active. Be strong and stand for something that
endures.
I went back to my hotel and played the shit out of my piano!;-)
Nina Simone was bad!!!!(not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good) and you gotsta
practice your ass off to be Bad!!!;-)
Just a little recap on the experience, unreal, and provoking!
I love it like that!
Thinking about y'all...and feeling the vibe on the boards.
keep rockin....
This is going to be an unforgettable journey we are on together, I can't even
begin to imagine where it will lead us to.......;-)
peace
Ak
Jul 2, 2004 11:48 PM
Hey
Did you miss me?
Man I've been kinda bananas. I haven't even been on the board for a while and
you know that's not a norm for me as I am an admitted addicted of the board;-)
Anyway I got a chance to catch up and it's good to be back. Right now I'm here
in Germany on my way to Switzerland. I can't wait to go! I here that it's going
to be beautiful there. I'm going to play the same place that Marvin Gaye did
years ago. WOW! Yall know how I feel about him. That is going to be very special
for me to touch the stage he touched once.
Sometimes when I'm on stage I look out to you and I just think "Oh my goodness"
and I just want to live every moment like it is my last, because God forbid
if it ever is, I know that I didnt take it for granted and that I enjoyed it
for all it was. Really that's what you teach me. To enjoy every moment.
I've been doing very well. You would all be proud of me, taking my vitamins
and everythang! I have been flying back and forth across the atlantic like a
madwoman, but I always pray and God keeps me safe. Plus I have so much to do!
It's not my time yet.
The Shows in Europe have been unreal! For real. There's been this crazy vibe
floating thru everything and making it very magical. Today in Bonn was really
special and I want to big up everyone I was able to meet afterward. It always
shocks me to put faces to the names I know so well on the board. I love getting
the chance to talk to you in person. Thanks for the love. For real! All of you,
I mean it!
This sucks, but my bus rolls out in 10 minutes and I know I have to go but I
just had to at least check in and say what's up. Cause I've been getting it
from all angles lol "Alicia hurry up and write! We miss you!" But
I'm not mad at that, believe me!
I'm reading a new James Baldwin book. It's so deep. I'll tell you more about
it later, but in it there was a line that said "Nobody can stay in the
Garden of Eden".... It got me to thinking cause I'm like, all our lives
it's like we're searching for this Garden of Eden yet even if we find it, something
about us is always searching for more. So do we ever find it, something about
us is always searching for more. So do we ever find this Garden of Eden? Or
is it just something for us to strive for? Maybe that is what he meant when
he said Nodody can stay in the Garden of Eden.
I'm not sure, but what I do know is, knowing that something sweeter is out there
somewhere sure does give us something to look forward to and I know there's
nothing wrong with looking forward to the sweetness that comes with the search.
It brings out the best in you......
It's late, I gotta roll
love 4eva
A to da K;-)
May 18, 2004 8:58 pm
Me? forget about u? NEVER!!!! Not in a million years! Never could I forget about
the people that have been there for me from the very very start. The people
who's names and faces I know. Who's problems and pains and hurts sympathize
with and understand Not you, whose personalities make me laugh and reflect.
Naw, not you!!!
Hey, I know its been some time.
Being in Europe was wonderful. I had a good time. Normally when I head to Europe
there are so many things that I have to do, that I really never enjoy the moments
the way that I know that I can, but this time it was different. I guess I'm
finally starting to understand what works for me and negate the things that
just make things to complicated or more grueling than necessary.
Unfortunately though, it was not warm until I got to Monte Carlo where I stayed
the night and drove to Cannes in the morning. But there it was beautiful. A
taste of summer. I had never been there before. I only heard about the prestigious
festival and was very excited to see it with my own eyes. The water, the sky,
the mountains in the distance all made for a flawless landscape. You know how
you see those old movies and you can tell that the background and scenery is
fake, well that is exactly how it looked. The whole thing looked fake. Even
the way the sun set, but it was real! It was real, and once again God was right
there, in all His mighty glory and patience. The other day I realized that no
only is God a painter, but He is also a Director of Photography. I looked at
the sky one day and all the shadows and light I saw was exactly what every great
photographer tries to capture. And God shows us everyday. You can even watch
the sun set behind the project and see God if you look. Wow. I am always humbled
by that thought.
Sometimes I look around in amazement at everything. I mean my life is no fairytale
story. It has and has yet to see the struggle and pain and continuous hard work
for the reward of joy in a content heart, but wow, sometimes I look around and
I'm just like......speechless. And again I am humbled.
Being on those stairs in Cannes where all the greats have been like Audrey Hepburn,
was pretty incredible and DAMN intimidating LOL! I mean, I am someone who never
really lets nerves get the best of me and even if I feel it, I keep it cool
as ice on the exterior. But it felt like there must have been about 70,000 photographers
all screaming and clicking and clicking and yelling and some were on the right
and some were on the left and by time I got throught the sea of lights and flash
trying to hold my most gracious smile and posture I wasn't sure what the hell
happened and did I completely look like an orge? LOL!
It was quite funny and as a virgin to that scene I couldn't help but laugh at
myself. It was great though. I really was and I am looking so forward to the
passion of acting.
I really see it as very similar to music in many ways. It is an expression of
a feeling of a moment that can speak to your heart forever. It is a story waiting
for the breath of life. It is the truth in you.
I can't wait to keep finding the things that speak to me. Not only in acting,
not only in music, but in everything!!!!! In my life.
Rome was magnificant!!! The weather was incredible and the cause was even more
beautiful than anything else. The whole day I was just soaring. I couldn't wait
to talk through song about how I feel about what's going on in the world. About
how crazy it is that we are abusing each other with no regard. And the thought
of the things that the children in those numerous countries see with their own
eyes is........is there even a word for it? It's heartbreaking. It breaks my
heart when I turn on the TV or read the newspaper.
How can we just keep repeating the same thing over and over from generation
to generation and not say anything about it. So this was my chance. Just to
say the way that I felt. I put together something very specific and I really
had a beautiful time doing it. Especially Soldier's Cry and when the young Mr
Marley stepped on the stage. His essence is so close to his father to me. His
voice is so full of feeling and the feeling that I was feeling was even more
enhanced with his presence. It was unforgettable!
These are the things that give me a true sense of worth. In a major way!
Listen, I better get going before I write a novel on these pages. But before
I go let me say, I will never be afraid of growth or change, or of something
new or old as it is the journey that excites me. The challange is remaing connected
not to the things I can own but to the lessons of the past, and the integrity
and nobility in my heart.
Just had to let you know that no matter what, no matter where, when or how I
will NEVER forget what is important.
It's just not in me.
Love,
Alicia
P.S. Also, do me a favour and don't believe everything you read......
May 6, 2004 12:14 am
Ok
lemme answer some. I like this.
The latin Billboards were AMAZING. I was able to be in Miami for two days before
and got in the vibe of the weather and the atmosphere. I learned the spanish
in that time, but it felt like it was 2nd nature. I love singing it in spanish.
It flows so beautiful.
When I went to the rehearsal I realized the even the people who put the event
together were special. Just kind people. A lot of times at these award shows
everyone is rushing so much that the vibe is kinda WACK. But they were gracious
from the beginning and that set up the vibe lovely. Then when I met the legendary
Arturo Sandoval, it elevated the experience a million times. This is a man with
incredible musicians like Dizzy Gillesppe and Quincy Jones and STILL practices
everyday!!!! FEEL me! There are the type of cats that keep me motivated. The
best at it, still aiming to get better. I love it!
Anyway, the day of the show we got together, my band and his family. We had
lunch and hung out, playing pool and blackjack for 25 cents, playing music and
chillin. It was all love! That sealed it. When we hit the stage it was magic!
I knew it was going to be special, cause everyone felt connected. I had a ball.
Everyone welcome me with open arms and I truly appreciated that :)
ps. I remember saying hi to you girl!
Its not until Ive written, sang and recorded and it really sinks into me.
Then as I begin to perform it I learn more and more about it. The nuances of
it, how I want to place it, what emotions it makes me feel everytime I sing
it and then it happens naturally. The song flips itself in a way. Or if theres
a special show that comes up, Ill cater an arrangement to compliment that.
I love flipping songs. Its freedom.
Plus I gotta amp myself up as well as u!
The last cd I bought was Musicology and Anita Bakers Rapture, which is one
of my favourite albums of all time so I had to buy it again recently.
I may come back and answer more tonight..........
May 5 2004, 10:23pm
OK, Ive kept you waiting long enough havent I?
WASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP???
Today is the first day in I dont know how long that I have been home!! And
even though I leave again on Friday there is NOTHING in the whole world like
coming home after a long time. Everything seems new and fresh and just comforting.
For all of my family that is so sweetly concerned about my well being and rest,
I want you to know that I took a couple of days off after the tour was over
and just relaxed and got some nice rest and cleared my mind.
I went somewhere with mountains and it was gorgeous.
I am admittedly a water kind of woman but have you ever just stared at some
mountains? Its unreal!!!! Growing up where I did, the only mountains I ever
saw were concrete buildings, so to be in the presence of real mountains and
their strength, you just feel something. I dont know if its the mystery of
all that those mountains have seen or what, but its incredible.
Other than that Im doing well! My spirits are soaring and my mind is focused!
Im on my way to Europe soon and Im looking forward to seeing what it feels
like there in some warm weather.
EVERYTIME I go, its freezing, grey or rainy. So its going to be beautiful
to see it in another light. Warm breezes, spring nights. I LOVE when it starts
turning into summer. There is something so sensual about spring and summer.
Something liberating. Something renewed.
Anyway, Im just checkin in cause I know its been a minute and a half.
On another note, I wanna know what you wanna know.
What would you ask me? Make me a thread Ill pick some and answer in the next
entry.....
All my love to the family.
AK
Apr 10, 2004 03:26 PM
I’m not exactly sure what ya’ll were reading into my message the other
night……..
I was just talking about the beauty of music and what a magical effect it has
on all of us. It’s not a sad thing. It’s a GOOD feeling. I was describing
my JOY in music and sharing wit you! The shows have been off the hook!!!!!!!
Ya’ll have been off the hook!!!!!! Everyone has been with me 200%. It’s
been amazing! I leave those feeling all the excitement, a complete feeling of
satisfaction, and step higher in my craft.
I didn’t really touch on the cancelled M&G in Philly because I thought
you guys understood. So I went into a more poetic side of myself, but let me
come back:-)
You have no idea how hard it was for me to cancel that M&G! It was like
drawing blood with no needle! I mean, that’s how much I care. That happens
to b one of my favorite parts of the night. Meeting and seeing the faces of
the names that I know so well. Being able to share some special one on one time
and just thanking you for always showing me love and soo much support.
When you do shows back to back, it is very taxing on your voice. Using your
voice period, even just speaking take a lot of your voice believe it or not.
So imagine, doing 4 or 5 interviews a day, having general conversation about
business or personal things, and doing 4 shows back to back giving all you got,
as you can, as you can see, it can naturally wear on ones voice. Usually when
I have a lot of shows, I do not talk before hand, just to give myself some rest.
The day of Philly, I wasn’t able to do that and the result of many things
going had an effect on my voice.
The show was still hot! Philly was nothing but love! but I knew that if I didn’t
chill it would only get worse. I sat in my dressing room for like 20 minutes
debating whether or not I should cancel the M&G. I finally decided that
I had to do what was best and be smart and I knew my Family would understand
that, that is what was what I was doing.
So I’m not sick, or sad, or feeling under the weather. For that one night,
I was simply taking care of myself to be able to continue this exciting journey.
I’ve also taken out all interviews and such on days of shows so I can treat
my voice kindly:-) See, it’s all a learning process.
And now, since I was smart I’m 110% babyyeeeeeee!!!!
Now, on to this DC thing. I have NO IDEA what happened. It was the weirdest
thing. But the story that I’m getting is that my DC fam was all in the
right place, but someone said to go somewhere else. Which was the wrong place,
and that’s how the confusion began. I’m sooo sorry that happened,
cause I was really looking forward to meeting my DC fam that was holdin’
me down in a major way! But all I can say for the future is The Will Call window
is the only place that really knows where the meet and greet is going to be.
So once you get your passes from them and they tell you where to go, DON’T
GO ANYWHERE ELSE NO MATTER WHAT!:-)
Anyway, I just wanted to say hey and take a few minutes to clear some things
up. My last post was my more poetic mind process, this one I decided to take
a more chill approach
:-)
I got a little something for everyone LOL
We'll talk soon..................
March 17, 2004 10:55 AM
Family! What's good?
Everything is well on this side. My apologies for no writing sooner. Believe
me I attempted numerous times, but we wer making some changes on the network
side and things got a little funky. Plus I have been grindin'.
:-)
But her, how are you doing? I missed writing but I have been reading when I
can hop on the computer.
So, the first shows have been INCREDIBLE!! Preparing for it was lot of fun cause
I've had a million ideas. And since this is somewhat of a new chapeter for me,
I've been ready to take myself to places I haven't yet gone. Which to me is
the whole point! And I'm ecstatic with the outcome! I mean first of all having
so many
songs and options to play with, its fun to discover the journey of bringing
them to life. Then the musicality of the show just has so many more dimensions.
Valleys and peaks, silences and level raising excitement. But nothing prepared
me for the audience. The love and energy that flows from ya'll. It was insantaneous
and continued all the way through to the last note. The entire time I was on
stage I had this beautifully strange sensation of feeling right at home, as
if I was in my living room, or in a friends garage playin' and zonin', it was
unreal, it was magical to me.
One of the things most fun about my show to me is how raw i chose to keep it.
I didn't want a lot of tricks and smoke and fire, I just wanted to take it back
to
the essence, with innovative musical arrangements, and performing with movement
of the fingers, mind, spirit, and body. Its just so liberating for me to be
able to
go from playing the piano, to doing a little tango, to playing that crazy guitar
sound I created for dragon days and feeling me feeling you on a little red keyboard.
Energy flowing endless. Oh man!
Anyway, of course it's the first coupla shows, so everything was late, and everything
that could go wrong did. But it was sooo humorous. I told the fam
that i saw in florida the story about how Nikki was braiding my hair up to the
last minute even while I was practicing the keys and when it was finally 8pm
and we knew that my hair obviously was not gonna be done in time we looked at
each other like, "So, what we gonna do now?" So I said, " Hey
girl, were just
gonna have to freak a brand new style on cats!!!" (Hence the braids and
bun) But it was too funny and set a nice relaxed tone to the first show in
retrospect. Not taking shit to seriously :-)
Then, as i told the fam yesterday, I'm in the middle of doing You Don't Know
My Name AKA YDKMN (as yall call it), giving it evey drop of my heart, soul,
and
passion. I bent my knees and went down ina furry of expression and the whole
entire back of my pants ripped! I'm on stage in the middle of my talking on
the phone part and to myself I'm like, "Oh my goodness, what the hell am
I gone do now!!!" It was sooo funny, if yall could have just been in my
head,
it was soo great!!!! Anyway, I did the only thing that anyone could do, I took
off the jacket that I had on and casually tied it around my waist as I was talking
to "Michael" on the phone. I just went ahead and took it back to the
schoolyard, you konw it's happened to you at least once in your life!!!!!! It
was toooo hot
yall, and that what I LOVE about live shows!!!! The unexpected! And how it tests
your spirit, your resilience and how quick you can think on your feet! Anyway
I took the song home, gave it all I had, the crowd was VIBIN and after it was
all done i walked off the stage laughing with a smile on my face. Couse I had
FUN, I expressed my music, my mind and myself in truth and honesty and had a
ball!!!!! It was sick! And I can't wait until you come to the show! Let me leave
you with something that Rose put me on toand is something that i live by everyday.
It's not the critic who counts, nor the man/woman who points out how the strong
man/woman stumblues, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The
credit belongs to the man/woman who is actually in the arena;
Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who
errors and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasm, the
great
devotions and spends him/herself in a worthy cause; who at least knows in the
end the triumph of his/her achievement, and who at worst, if he/she fails, at
least fails while doing greatly, so that his.her place shall never be with those
cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
Feel that! And go conquer!
Love Forever
AK
We’ll talk soon…………………
Tue December 30, 2003 5:21:49 AM
Man you can find EVERYTHING on e-bay!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!
Anyway I thought that was an interesting question that you wanted to know.The
one about that little CD that was called "The life"
Before Songs in A minor became that, it went through alot of changes. Mind you
at that time, I was shocked and excited beyond belief that my album was finally
even coming out!!!! I had never quite thought about a title cause I was just
so focused on the music, trying to make it work, and so much drama was contnuously
happening, I was just grindin and trying to hustle from situation to situation
as smoothly as I could.
As a new artist we were going to put out a "sampler", that would give
people a little taste of the music and hopefully intrigue them to start talking
about it and see what it was all about. Since I didn't have a title for the
album yet, I was getting some heat to come up with something especially since
we were putting out the sampler. Well, I was trying to feel what my spirit was
telling me, but it was taking alittle to long and " The Life" was
one of the things that I had been toying with. The album was about my life and
"The Life" was one of the songs on the album, so I was pretty solid
that that would make a good title. So for the sampler that was what we went
with.
After the sampler was out, I started getting some more title inpirations and
one of the earlier ones was "soulstories in A minor" I remember writing
all these titles on little papers everywhere, in my pager, everywhere and soulstories
in A minor was THE ONE to me. All the songs on the album were life stories from
my soul, in a major way. 'A' is the first initial of my name and that was it!
It all made sense. I was rock solid on the title when someone made a suggestion.
I can't quite remember if it was Jeff, or Peter my A&R, but I remember the
gist of the conversation was," Why box yourself in? Why make people judge
your music before they even hear it? Let them decide what they think.....
That made alot of sense to me. From there it wasn't that hard to see where the
path was leading, it was right under my nose.....these soulstories were my life,
my growth, my everything in the form of song and it all became clear.
"Songs In A Minor" was it! It was born, and it was perfect.
December 24, 2003 4:13:29 AM
peace, my family
Its been awhile hasn't it?
In some ways I feel like I don't know where to start.
Lemme first start by saying thank you...cause the love I feel out here, I mean
honestly from coast to coast.....it's incredible!
It's special.....I feel it. It humbles me. Well, It's christmas time again,
and I know how sometimes, this time of year can get some people down. You get
to thinking about what you have, what you don't have. What you can afford, what
you can't. Who loves you, who don't!
U know, it's like this time of year represents a lot of inner turmoil sometimes.
But u know, things are never as bad as they seem, and most of the time, things
could be much much worse.
You look around and almost feel trapped by some family member, brother or sister
who drives you almost insane, but if you step back you can realize just having
family at all is such a special thing.
You look around at your tiny room, or tiny apartment and maybe you feel suffocated....but
that small, messy, space is your home, and it keeps you dry and it keeps you
warm.
It always amazes me that something as simple as perspective can change a whole
situation. Just because of how you look at it. Or how the power of your mind
and the power of the words you say and how you feel can change your whole life
for the better... or for the worse.
So this year, I have some wishes for you.
I wish you joy...not the superficial surface joy that comes from obtaining something
material..but a real joy. A feeling of accomplishment by something simple yet
important like making a desicion and sticking to it. Or deciding to get the
courage to do something you've never done before. The reward of doing one little
thing that you've been meaning to, or changing something about your actions
or ways that you've always wanted to and just watching how it affects everything
you do for the better. I wish you the understanding of your hearts desires so
you can begin to find your contentment and settle for nothing less because your
being is not afraid to fail and because you have erased that fear you will soar
to the highest heights.
and most of all I wish you love. Not that love that you think is love, but know
deep down in your heart is not, kinda love
but that love that gives you power, to know that you love yourself to much to
let anyone hurt you......
Self love, that shines so bright, that without even knowing it, everyone is
in love with you.
I wish you that one person you can call and cry with, laugh with, scream at,
and get screamed on, because there is nothing that you can't say to each other.
but most of all, if for some reason all of those things mentioned fall apart;
I wish you the self confidence, belief and faith, to know that this is not the
end but only the beginning of beautiful life, that YOU control the direction,
the plot, the outcome, and the conclusion.
This christmas and holiday season I want you to know that life is good because
the sun fell across your face this morning and you are walking on a path of
miracles..............open your heart and receive it.
This is my present to you....
With all my love,
Alicia
Thu December 4, 2003 4:13:34 AM
To my people!
Here we are! The day after the first day!ooooooohhhhhhweeeeeeeee!!
Yesterday was a long one, I think I was definately up 24 hours! But you know
what, it was so exciting feeling your excitement!
I want to thank you for really supporting the album and showing me how much
you truly appreciate the art
of music, so we can continue to do this forever!
U have no idea how much it fills my heart when I can express myself in the truest
form, letting all go, and for us to be able to connect, for song to be able
to
resonnate within us in a similar way. For judgement to be left aside, and for
hearts to feel life in all its complexities. That means more than I could everexpress.
Please believe me.
So, Now I'm in La bout to do this Leno thing, And just feeling so thankful for
some weather that doesnt feel like the coldest december. It was soooo cold yesterday.
The wind said, " just in case you forgot about New York winters....."
LOL My throat is trying to itch, like in that, U better take some echinacea
kinda way....so I'm gonna be a good girl and get my butt in the bed. But I just
wanted to take a few minutes and let you know that I'm thinkin about you, and
ur in my heart.
plus I can't wait to see you on the road.....were gonna do the damn thang!!!
you know how we get down!
stay warm and I'll write more soon
A.
P.s. "Righting" with a left hand......was intentional
(this time is wasn't lack of spell check) love
Sun November 16, 2003 3:48:49 AM
My first day off in at least a month starts today. WOW!!! I'm excited. I'm Imagining
all that I am going to do tomorrow like.......NOTHIN!!! Shoot! I'm gonna be
in the most comfortable clothes I can find, sleeping as long as my eyes can
possibly stay closed, and then when I do get up, I'm gonna make some breakfast,
even if its 5pm, and I'm gonna watch as many sex in the city's I can on HBO
on demand and dammit that's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
;-)
When I got home today I ordered some chinese, and ran a bath. Nice and hot just
how I like it and just sank into my thoughts. I was reading a book of poetry
and short stories and I was thinking about some things.
First, The book Im reading is one thats kind of heavy. You know, just one
of those books that make you think. And it brought up a thought that I wanted
to share with you.....
Especially since were have such a diverse family here.
let me try to make a long concept short......
At times there can be such an emphasis placed on race and color. Usually it
is used to divide us in some way. but because its impossible to trace back to
every drop of blood that makes up who we are.....is it fair to say that there
is no such thing as one particular race? would it be fair to simply call someone
white or black (for example)? although years and years of migration, evolution,
and mixing of people make it impossible for there to be one pure race? Therefore,
could it be said that race doesnt even really exists since we are all not completely
just one thing or the other, but a mixture of all things and therefore, the
same?
hmmmmmmm. While I was reading that concept struck me.
it started my mind to thinking....
Its been awhile since we got kinda deep and challenged each others minds with
food for thought.....
so... what do you think?
u-know-who
Tue October 28, 2003 9:23:00 PM
Hey.......
Whats up
Everything is good on this side......Riding the wave and lovin the flow.
Just finished the video about 4 days ago. all I have to say is OHHHH MY GOODNESS!!!
This is really somethign special. I 'm saying, the whole time I was shooting
it (It lasted 3 days and It felt like a mini-movie) I felt the magic in the
air! Those are the moments that I love..it 's almost like a mist hovering over
you....it spreads to everyone there and we all feel the mystery and the magic
of a moment like no other. It was so electric! and I know it's gonna be like
nothing else. Man wait till you see this! I can't even wait to see it.
It'll kinda of happen like this.....After we finish the shoot the editing process
begins as to what to keep, wha'ts the best captured moment, different angles
of the different shots that put the vision together in a powerful way. That
process takes alittle time, but once that's done they send it to me to view
(that's the part I can't wait 4!!!) then I make my comments and changes, what
I like and don't, what, if anything, feels like it's missing,,,,and I send it
back. They then make those changes and finally we debut it! and thats how its
gonna go...so you, my family, should be seeing the debut video by roughly the
end of next week, as long as everything goes right! It's so exciting!
I'm so humbled.
What makes it alittle bit harder is the fact that right now I'm overseas. so
it takes alittle more to send, but with technology being how it is.....it'll
be all good!
So yes, I'm here in the UK And I'm glad to be back!! Gonna do some shows and
performances cause you know I gotta spread mad love over to this side of the
world!
On The flight over I think the flight attendants thought something was wrong
cause they were like...U must've REALLY needed to sleep!;-) I did not open my
eyes from when the plane took off, to the 6hours later that it landed and man
were they right, that's the longest sleep ive had in a while!!!! it was like
a mini vacation LOL!
Nah, but I always sleep on planes. Planes and cars, There's something about
the movement that calms me, and on planes, no phones, no pagers, nothing but
my mind, or my favorite book, or a timeless CD and my head is in the clouds,
literally and figuratively.
Anyway...here we go again yall!!!!!! They say there's nothing like the first
time, but I'm seeing the 2nd time is even sweeter! Even greater! Even more than
ever before!
LETS ROCK THE WORLD TOGETHER!
YALL RIDIN' WIT ME???;-)
forever you and I
till next time
Ak
Sun October 5, 2003 7:34:28 PM
Yes, I'm guilty!
It's been forever.:-)
But you know the deal, and you know how we get down. Plus I've been here, roaming,
watching, looking, even if I didn't quite have the time to write. So you know...I'm
never far.
Everything is EVERYTHING! Putting the last finishing touches on the album, finishing
up the last touches on the video treatment that we will shoot in the next 2
weeks...OHHHWEEEEE!!! and I can't wait to do this vid! I feel like this is my
first time all over again in alot if ways. Becuase this is the first time for
me to show who I am at this point in my life and maybe it's even better because
I have more knowledge and just as much enthusiasim...so there aint no stoppin!!!
BAYBEEEEE!!!
Oh geah! It's only the beginning of a story constantly evolving, and getting
better and better.....
Honestly thats what life is for all of us. aint it? A playground for us to constantly
learn and re-define who we are to ourselves! Who we want to be. When I see it
through those eyes everything is possible. That's what I always hold on to.
Cuz sometimes I see with my own eyes that as people get older, they get more
and more stubbborn and stuck in a one track mind mentality.....ya know? I'm
always gonna be a baby to the universal knowledge, eyes wide open....excitement
neverending.:-)
So I know your wondering when you're gonna start hearing the single on the radio.....lets
just say its gonna sneak up on you.... and sneak into your spirit, heart, and
mind.....ain't no way to fight it LOL!!!!
I'm in a good place in myself right now. Back rehearsing for all of these shows
that are being put together. And I'm happy and excited to go back out on the
road, so we can re-connect...the beautiful thing is we've never been to far
apart.
that's 4sho!
I really have to say over and over how proud I am of what we got here. How I
go on and see names that I know...I even know you're personalities and it's
too much fun. Yall always welcome new people with lots of love and ya'll are
so smart. U think differently, have something to say, and are tooo funny when
yall are crackin jokes. I'm proud to say that in alot of ways we are a reflection
of each other.. I'm not mad at that AT ALL!!!!
I know this is still kinda a short recap for all the time I've been gone
but I'll be back..yes, I'll be back!
dammit I'm the TERMINATOR!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!:-)
love = Love
my family
A.
Fri August 15, 2003 11:55:56 PM
Yea, it was crazy yall!!! 4 real!
First off, all day I'm runnin around, thinking it's just another day in the
studio, trying to find this REALLY important cd that I thought I misplaced (silently
buggin out might I add)
Finally I go to the room I was pretty sure it was in and I'm like, "Ok,
Now I'm gonna find this" (u know sometimes you have to talk things into
the way u want em:-) Sure enough after I picked up one thing, there it was...so
phew! I'm good
I go to let K and my engineer, whom I affectionately call,'The Bastard', know
the good news (cause I was just about to blame the bastard if I couldn't find
it LOL) and as I'm in the studio listenin to the song I just did, feelin the
vibe, I see the studio lights start to fade....I'm thinking, "Whose dimming
the lights?" quickly after that it was like the dark was coming at us and
suddenly the speakers and equipment were making loud popping noises, the engineer
reached for the save button and all the lights were off. We were looking at
each other (or not looking at each other, in this case) in the pitch black studio
like, "WHAT??!!!"
We go out to the lounge and luckily it was the afternoon cause we could still
see, and that's when the whole story began to unfold, we all just sat there
for alittle while contemplating the situation. Wondering was this really just
a power outage or was it really more. It was almost a moment of preparation.
We didn't really have much food and we knew most places would be closed down
in a matter of minutes to prepare for the worst. It's amazing how you're mind
works overtime when you don't quite know what's going on. People on the street
started congregating, talking, sharing the little bit of news they knew...it
was the beginning of rush hour so there were a lot of people in the city.
Heat was slowly rising.
We decided that it was smart if we stayed put cause we didn't quite know what
was going on and already traffic was accumulating for lack of traffic lights
everyone seemed alittle confused but tried to make the best of it.
I was alittle uneasy, honestly. Then as the heat was taking over my eyelids.
I'm having faint dreams of major events. Like the holocaust and how people survived,
years and years under extremely harsh conditions. or when slaves were brought
over on these big dark boats, for months and months and months, with nothing.
Or political prisoners experiencing the worst beatings and living in total uncertainty
for long undetermined amounts of time. Those thoughts were the ones that took
me over into a silent sleep.
When I woke up it was just getting dark outside. I lit some candles so I could
see and joined some of the others stuck in the studio and talked alittle. Got
some updates and finally made my way to the firescape to get away from the heat.
But it just seemed hotter outside. The radio was coming out of a pair of headphones
plugged into a walkman and that's how we stayed connected to what was going
on around the nation.
As it got later and later, the city was amazing. It became this dark place I've
never seen before, big HUGE buildings of complete darkness and only small flickering
candles in some windows. The city was literally lit by the moon ONLY. Some people
reminisced about the blackout of ?77 or even talked about the one that happened
in ?65. But this was the first major blackout that I've experienced, watching
the whole city go dark, A city I've seen my whole life lit with the brightest
colors in the world. Just DARK. Almost like a Omen or an abandoned metropolis.
I sat on the firescape, contemplating, ?what if's' and ?Thank God's'
Observing how so many states are connected with one power source, and imagine
if this happened and lasted for 2 weeks? 3weeks? how incredibly low things would
be, and how drastically life would change for us as such electronically dependent
people.... Can u imagine? The thoughts are endless......
In the end all is well, I'm sitting here 24 hours after writing to you on this
computer. Powers on, and so far so good. But It sure does always seem like it
takes these big, major events to get us thinking, deeper than surface.
with that let me share something with you:
It's like jungle out here
So much struggle out here
And my dreams steal my rest
Sleeps the cousin of death
Always feels like a race against father time
In the streets of New York
All I see is street hoes
and bullet holes in my people
Only crime fills the brain
Feels like I'm going insane
The revolution has to start don't waste no time
In the streets of New York
New York State of mind
New York State of crime
New York Big Dreams
New York Big schemes
Ohhh It's like the game
Just ain't the same
Baby thugs and girls with no shame
Can't get away epidemic plagues
Every hood in every state
Don't have no reason cause believin's hard to find
In the Streets of New York.......
till next time
Sun August 10, 2003 1:44:54 PM
Dear Diary,
Don't feel neglected. I know it's been alittle while since Ive written in you.
But don't think I haven't been thinking about you.
Sometimes at night when I come in really late, I say lemme write in my favorite
place..(that's you by the way), then I sit down for a second (ususally on the
bed) and well....next thing I know it's morning
Nonetheless, happy Sunday diary, hope you are having a good day. Maybe even
relaxing and able to enjoy the fact that it is another day and the limits are
limitless:-)
I'm actually going n2 the studio @ 6pm to do a song that I love with all my
heart. I can't wait for yall to hear this album, this heart this soul.
I know you're wondering if I feel pressure or if I'm nervous diary, but I feel
Wonderful!, for some reason I feel like everything is in devine order. This
whole time I've just been feeling God walking by my side, and I know that is
leading me on the right path, so I'm just trying to listen to myself, because
I know that is God talking to me.......
Well diary, did you know I wrote a song with the same name as you?
Ohhh man, wait until you hear it!
What else diary what else? So much.
Mostly just grindin to get everythng in place and ready to go, that's why I'm
not really able to write in you as much as i'd like, this aint one of those
gigs that the hours you have to work are designated for you, with vacations
and holidays planned in......so, I have to basically go all around the clock,
but that's why I thank God that I LOVE what I do. Because I Love to put my heart
on my sleeve thru song, It relieves me, it fills me and there's nothing more
fufilling to me, than to hear what was in my head become tangible; a real thing
that I can play and feel, and hear thru the speakers on my broken lil stereo
I've had forvever......
Anyway, the title of the album is..........
coming to me, that's the same way it happened to me with Songs in A minor,
It's like one day or one night out of nowhere, but from somewhere always intended,
it's there and it's perfect!
I think that might have happened last night.... so soon you'll know.
So Diary, good to talk to you again
and give you alittle update on some things.
take care and stay close
you'll never know when I need to get something off of my chest
stay true
love,
Keys
Thu July 10, 2003 1:31:14 AM
What's the deal yall??
how's thangs?
So you heard about the phone call thing huh?......I'm excited about that.
It'll b too fly to talk one on one, say whatup, have a connection for a sec...I'm
feelin the vibe, feelin the flow;-)
How's your summer goin? Anyone been somewhere real special? or met someone,
you cant get off your mind, or how bout a water park or great adventure or sumpthin?
My favorite one used to be Action Park! OHHHHHHHHWEEEEEEEEEEE.....I don’t
know if that's just a east coast thing or what, but man that was the best! Nothing
but water rides ALL day, burnin hot, havin fun...Yea, and me a person who just
might have been a mermaid in another life cause I LOVE water so much, that was
a paradise for me.
I think I gotta go back bfo the summers ova:-)
Got another studio video were gonna put up, and this time it’ll be at a
different location, I just shot some new flicks for the new calender that’s
gonna hit for the tour and for anybody who needs to keep track of what damn
day it is;-) LOL
and since we’re on the topic, lets set the story str8.
I know you’ve been wondering when EXACTLY is the album gonna be out....weeeeeeellllllllll
NEVA! I’m movin to South America and gonna just make my livin’ diving
for rare and unseen algae and rocks....
SIIIIKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
The album is bangin! and you will be hearing some new music by the beginning
of September. The album will officially drop on NOVEMBER 18th!!! You get all
the inside information cause we family.
I don't know where u heard that it was coming out in September, or October but
here’s the real deal! and U HEARD IT FIRST!!
Awwww man, I’m excited, and wait till we hit the road again!! Its on and
poppin baby!!
Well, I just wanted to holla atcha give you some special info.
I’ll talk to you real soon....b on the lookout!
stay cool
love
Thu June 26, 2003 3:00:40 AM
Looking for a book?
I'm reading this incredible book about the making of the What's going on album,
by one of my all time favorites...u know who...Mr. Marvin Gaye
Now, I don't know if anyone of yall r REALLY into him, but whether you are or
not, this is such an interesting story! The What's going on album..is like a
masterpiece to me, it changed the way I viewed music when I was younger, made
me see the limitless of writing, It touched me deeper than ever before when
I first heard it and still to this day it has the same affect on me.
There's alot of different books on Marvin Gaye's life, but this is specfically
about the the things that led up to and the process he took to record the What's
going on album. It's amazing how music was done then....
(We could have crazy convo's about the differences and similarities from then
to now).
It's one of those joints that if you put the album in and start reading, it's
a mind trip, takes you on a journey, and you find yourself transported to that
time and place.
I think it was written by a guy named Ben Edmonds, It's a red book(in paperback)
his eye is peering at you thru a cover that opens to reveal him completely,
and that's some of what the book does.
I'm diggin it
c if you do.
Some of the other ones mentioned are hot to death too(The bluest eye, To kill
a mockingbird etc)
This is a simlple read, dramatic, a page turner, one of those joints you get
connected to.
(Sounds like a dag-on review in the New York Times and shit!LOL)
I'm bout to finish it, but.........
well, if I tell you, you can't laugh.
Last night I came home, type late, put my keys in this little basket thing,
went to sleep
woke up this mornin, dyin to read
couldn't find the damn key, can you believe it?
Marvins locked in the trunk and dammit, I'm stranded!! LOL
soon............
Ak
P.s. The KrucialKeys Volume 2 Has had such an incredible response! The KK Family
wants to thank you for the support! But it's bout to be gooooooonnnnnnnneeeeeee
so if you r one of the last few
grab it b4 you miss it:-)
KruKeyzme@Aol.com.........
Sun June 22, 2003 10:01:24 PM
1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2
they call me lellow
thats L-E-L-L-O-W
1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2
but U u u
can call me
M-I-A!!!!!!! haaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Whats the deal my people?
I know its been to long.
I've been dying to write but every night gets later and later and if I write
to you at the times I'm up, it may sound no better than gibberish!(who came
up with that word anyway?)
How you been?
I've been good, real focused, working, playin, zonin'
This music is incredible. My heart is over flowing..... everything that happens
in my life I turn it into a song, or a poem or something to get it off of my
chest. There's Always alot goin on, wit all of us, (can I getta amen!)
But when you hear this album your gonna feel like you were with me the whole
time. Besides, you are.
Even when I don't write for months and shit, nah it hasn't been that long has
it????
The congress thing I did for the Bill Bush signed, but was not really valid
til voted on, about the funding for Aids in Africa, was an Amazing experience
for me. I've never quite done anything like that before.....and as much as I
have my little grievances about certain aspects of this country, I was reminded
how incredible it was that I, a young Woman, could be sitting in front of congress
fighting for such and Important cause. Being heard and possibly even helping
to persude them in a positive way. Ya no? There are so many countries where
a person of a certain economic status has no voice and were women nomatter who
or what, will never be taken seriously or listened to in that type of dynamic.
I was humbled by that, and reminded not to take the opportunities we have here
for granted.....WHOA!
I've dipped out of the studio for a couple other occasions, like coming up for
air;-) but mostly I've just been here so we can hit the road and see each other
in person again;-) oooh man I'm thrilled!!
But I'm not rushing because it has to be the music in my mind, I'm not gonna
rob you or myself, just for the sake of a certain time period....We're gonna
love every minute of this!!!!;-)
So I got the book that you sent me for the AKBC....Thank you! That was sweet.
I'm diggin yall!
I don't know anywhere else as fly as this. Smart, unique, intelligent, some
next level shit we got here yall!
I have so much to talk to you about, but I have to get back to the grind.
I just couldn't wait one mo minute to let you know, I'm thinkin of you
Yall know how we get down!
Keep shinin!
I'll be back soon
send me some questions, whatchu wanna know??
endless luv
always
AK
Sat May 17, 2003 6:06:32 AM
OHHHHHHH I get it!
Ya'll just don't want me sharing the stage with NOBODY huh?? U just want me
ALLLLLLLLLLL to yourselves dont you;-)
I get it now, the secrets out! LOL
What's the deal fam?
Yall r sooooooo crazy!
No question, anytime I'm not alone on stage It's always gonna be alittle different
than if I was. You know what I mean?, It's not only my voice and my vibe your
getting, and when it's another persons song, I can't do ALL the talking, I gotta
a share alittle;-)
But I had MAD fun, I love performing, ESPECIALLY to stiff ass audiences and
makin em catch the feelin';-) I love goin so hard that I make yall think I was
gonna fall off the piano (THAT was sum funny shit!). I mean if you aint gonna
go all out, what's the point?;-) Plus I gotz mad luv and respect for my homeboy
Nas and I gotsta support real people ya know? dude really comes from his heart
and that's the type of people I get down wit.
But I noticed something, walkin among you today. Something that just made me
think.
I think this world is so focused on perfection all the time, u gotta have the
perfect this, the perfect that, the perfect everything and truly it gets to
the point were everything is soo overly scrutinized. Shit aint gonna always
b perfect, matta fact, things usually aint gonna be perfect, but that's the
beauty of us being REAL people and that's the best thing about real live music.
You're supposed to hear the passion, the rawness, the individuality of each
show, and the journey that it takes you on.......
So I just wanted to say that, dont get so caught up in needed everything to
be perfect, especially when it comes to YOU. Sometimes ya gotta let things flow,
love you for who you are, love the day for what it brings and experience the
journey however it may come.
Love = love
stay induvidual & strong minded
(I love that about yall)
Always,
Alicia
Tue May 6, 2003 2:40:16 AM
That was yesterday......
Right now, I'm listening to Sketches of Spain. Miles Davis. Whata passionate
man. What a fearless individual! I love that!
To my right is a book by one of my favorite authors Isabel Allende, Daughter
of Fortune...I think this is the prelude to another book she wrote called sepia
of the sea (or something like that)
The thing that intrigues me the most about listening and reading, is the way
your mind can take you away. The way your mind can picture the amazing visuals
painted by words. Words are so powerful. We misuse them. Or don't use them enough.
I read some of your “silly” questions, I want to answer some
personally, I don’t think they are silly at all! I think they are some
of the best damn, non-generic questions I’ve heard!;-)
I would right now, if the dag-on site was responding, don’t you HATE when
that happens?
Anyway, I’m gonna read myself to sleep, let my mind drift to other worlds,
journey to a limitless place, where the only boundaries are my imagination.......aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
feels like a lemonade; refreshing LOL!!!!!!!
I’ll see you soon, and talk to you sooner with some answers to those ?’s
B fearless!!!!!!!!
AK
Tue May 6, 2003 2:13:01 AM
I wrote this yesterday, but the board was buggin so it's alil late but hey..........
What up sweethearts?
I just feel ya'll moe and moe as time passes.....;-)
4 real. Sometimes I think I'm getting too attached. Normally for me when I feel
to attached to something or someone, I back away...I've always been like that.
But with you, I just keep comin back. I just feel the love here, and that's
how I love it, so why keep such a beautiful thing at a distance.
Sometimes I think we make that mistake too often. Keeping the good things away
from us because we don't want it to end up hurtin in the end, but then, we robbed
ourselves from all the wonderful things that could've been felt and experienced.
I had this whole letter I wrote to you that I was gonna post cause this urge
hit me like the strongest wind and forced me to write, I'll share it soon but
now I'm in str8 chill out mode for a day.
Ya know I've been in the studio for about 2 months str8 And it just gets better
and better. This album is something special. I can FEEL it...
But being there for 2 months, 6 days a week, 14 hours a day, can lead you to
a need for a day of some str8 chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllin!!!!!!!;-)
Which leads me to right now, I'm in the bed, lights low, covers up to my chin,
2 books on the side of me and bout to have a movie marathon! all alone in a
room and LOVIN it!;-) Imma start with Chicago, then Frida, then gangs of New
york, then the pianist, then a funny one, gotta throw a funny one up in there!
ooooooweeeeeeeeeeeeee. There's nothin better then fallin asleep a million times
on a movie only to wake up and finish it. Now thats str8 chhhhiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllin
on a sunday.
I'm happy ya'll feelin the new additions. We just did another in studio session
that will be up soon, and I'm dyin to start in on the web cam thing.....so you
never know what to expect up in here!
Just wanna spread some love to my family
now back to str8
chhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllllin!!!!!
from the heart
AK
Mon April 21, 2003 2:47:56 AM
I'm obviously in a talkative mood;-)
But as I drift among yall I realized somethin' REALLY important!
There's ALWAYS a better way things can be said.
Let me clarify....
Everyone who comes here I consider my family. That's for real! The reason is
because your here, with thoughts and ideas. Your here because we all have different
opinions to share. Your here cause we have fun. Your here because we challange
each others minds and thoughts and so we obviously have a connection or you
wouldn't be here! And neither would I! It's that simple. Dont get it twisted.
I'm proud of Yall, every single one of yall cause were all out here tryin to
find our way, and that takes alot! and everyday that we've been blessed to get
up, we've made it one step closer!
Ive never seen a place like this, were people come together and talk about REAL
shit! Things that make you wonder, cry, laugh....FEEL
That's what we got here! and THATS what makes us family!
Anything else doesn't even need our focus.
Nothing breaks the ties of what's real! Only time tells all else!
That goes for EVERYTHING in life and THAT was a better way to say what I meant.
FEEL me on this!
P.s Sometimes hate just needs love
Mon April 21, 2003 12:46:24 AM
I've been thinking....
someone once said, "We don't see things as THEY are, we see things as WE
are"
The other day I posed a hypothetical question, "Are we reflections of what
we see?"
I mean in many ways, it's obvious that we are. How could we not b. Of course,
what surrounds us does affect us, but HOW much? is it as much as we let it?
as much as we choose to accept it? as much as it stays around us?
But even as you go away from situations that affect you, they can still linger...In
your personality, in your security, in the way you think, the things you do,
what you accept from another.
The question is if you only see hate, will you also only hate? If you experience
abuse, or alot of pain, will you only abuse and cause pain? If GOD forbid, you've
constantly seen your father mistreat your mother, will you mistreat your wife,
or accept mistreatment from your husband?
are we only prisoners of our circumstances?
I do feel, and I KNOW, that it is soooo dificult to move on from things that
have really affected you in your past, to let it go, to come to terms with something
that really pains your heart,
but how much do you think we subconciously hang on to things, because we are
used to feeling negativity and its much easier to swim in it, than really look
at how what others may have done to us does not define us as we decide to define
ourselves.
I mean, at what point is it enough? at what point do you begin your own life?
at what point do we stop blaming EVERYONE else and begin to look at ourselves
as the masters of our own lives and really try to see what is our pain and try
to get past it so it doesnt haunt us for the rest of our lives, and turn us
into stone.......
It's hard when it hurts to leave it behind...like the statement, I forgive you
but I wont forget....do you think its possible to really forgive someone or
yourself, if you always have it in your memory?
I don't know, I wonder.....
A.
Sat April 19, 2003 3:42:51 AM
Family.....
Whats the matta????
Yall aint getting all hay wire on me are you?
Are we only reflections of what we see? All the fighting and war-ing the world
is going thru is making us do the same? right here at home.
I want this to be a santuary for us, a place we can come and just be rid of
all the things that try to hold us down in this life, or make us fight just
to be ourselves.....we deal with that everyday....so not here too..not here
family!
I remember when it started getting like this before....those who have been with
me since jump, remember too
But mostly I just sense alittle tension, and there's always just a few people
that are dying for attention
don't sweat it so much, sometimes we can make things into more than it actually
is cause we give it soo much attention we give it more life. ya no what I mean?
So To my real fam, who's here for the love, cuz we have a REAL connection goin
on..... dontcha worry bout a thing cuz the fake always dies out! BELIEVE IT!!!
as we move on leaving the B.S. behind.....
I'm so happy it's getting warmer, I mean, it is like 40 degrees right now, but
on like monday and tuesday it was soo beautiful, it makes you remember how you
feel when its spring turning into summer, even in the worst times, when that
sun is shining on your face, you have to smile....makes you think about first
loves and sneaking to a special hiding place to be alone and talk, walks hand
in hand, flirting with the eyes and no words:-) Aint nothin like the summer!
I've always been bad(like bad focusing, for those with the minds in the gutter;-)
when the summer came, oh man! It was always the last weeks of school and cabin
fever would set in for me. I just felt like I couldn't stay inside another minute,
I know you know that feeling!
Come on, lets talk about some good memories.....sometimes everything around
us is always so depressing. Lets remember some good times.....tell me your best
summer memory. One that you will never forget
I'll set it off....
It was late, one summer evening. One of those perfect nights, when there's a
slight breeze, blowing lightly over your skin..feels like gods breath
It was so beautiful, one of the rare times you could see the stars in the city.
I was waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy late coming home and I figured if I was gonna get in
trouble, might as well make it worth it. There was this guy I was diggin...It
was one of those cats that when I was younger was one of my DAWGS, but now I
was looking at him with different eyes. Anyway he hadn't been outside ALL day,
but I knew he was comin. Finally when I was about to give up and just go home
and face my consequences, here he comes with that swagger that I could identify
a million miles away. The confidence he had that I used to pay no attention
to, was now making me really take notice...me of course playing it oooh to cool,
like I was just chillin wit my homegirls. NEVER would he know that I was prayin
he would come.
He saw me, we exchanged our non-challant hello's, but I saw his eyes, and I'm
sure his saw mine and they were saying more than what our words were. He says
lets take a walk.....
the nite was perfect, my heart was beating fast
we walk & talk about everything, about nothin, we laugh, we flirt gently......we
start talking about songs and he says, "I'll show you a song" he takes
my hand, and with his raspy, honey dipped tenor, he sings "Always and forver"
by heatwave, and the whole time looks DIRECTLY in my eye. He kissed me with
his voice
I melted as I stood.....
Thats a summer nite, I will never forget!
and for my people that know the song always and forever....OHHH My goodness
you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about!!!!!
Now hit me with your memory's, and lets start a thread about sumthin that feels
good.....
AK
Fri April 4, 2003 5:51:39 AM
The Chat was BONKERS huh?????
I actually had fun cause I was only seeing the "nice" questions...so
although it was hectic for me, I know it was WAY MORE hectic for you. Thanks
for hangin' in there. I liked the suggestions made about how it make it better
and believe me this won't be the last one. Even with all the madness, I was
happy to be able to hear and see YOUR questions(at least some:-)
Y'all are to deep, I Love it...some of my fam was in the backround sayin,"damn
lellow they're asking you some serious questions, what ever happened to what's
your favorite color?" I laughed, than laughed even harder when the next
question that came up was, "whats you're favorite color?"HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I know a lot of you didn't get to ask the questions you wanted...I wasnted to
see who was in the room, but I couldn't see names. All good baby, we'll hook
it up and make it betta!
Oh, lemme say
when I answered the question about KRUCIALKEYS that was just a general question
that many people kept asking so I decided to address, but that wasn't the question
that won the first contest AKFC put together. In fact, I received soo many good
questions for that, I still intend to answer; some through the AKFC newsletter(which
is the hottest, I love writtin' for that) and some in future diaries. Some folk
were alil confused about that.
So b4 I go to sleep, finished workin on 2 bombs today(figuratively speakin')
lemme answer one question I saw on the boards alil while ago, special just for
you and our thang we gotz goin on:-)
The question was something to the nature of, how do you write songs, or begin
the process of writing(I'm sure I'm messin' it up, but thats the feel)
For everyone it's different. That's one of the greatest things. Finding out
how it works for you and what brings the most out of you. Often it doesn't stay
the same, so you're constanly realizing what puts you in the best zone.
For me, writting comes directly form a specific source. Like something that
just happened to me, a coversation, a STRONG emotion, a line in a book, a word...anything
usually I seize that exact moment to write down what a felt, even if it makes
no sense or it doesnt rhyme, or its sooo messy. Or I will call my V.M. and leave
my self a message if I have no pen, or only a melody
than later when I have time alone, I like to sit quietly, most times at my piano,
many times not and I revisit what I felt, I allow myself to say everything that
my heart feels about it with no judgement, till I get all I need out.....and
I feel the Spirit in the song. Then I begin to arrange it, or share it, or get
feedback. The most important thing for me when I write is that I propery express
that emotion that struck me so deeply. Even if it has a strange structure, or
none at all, no rhyming words or a crazy time signature. The reason I love music
so much is cuz it has no rules; anything goes! I try my best to be true to my
spirit, not rules or regulations, or doing it how someone else does it(although
that's a great way to start if you are just beggining to write)
I think the most important thing is, every song is not gonna nessicarily be
the GREATEST one in the universe, but it always holds great powers if it's spoken
with the truth of your soul.
Don't compare yourself to anybody but yourself.....and as long as you put effort
into trying to be a betta YOU, than you are already on your way to becoming
the BEST!
very exciting to know that with time we only deepen!
Respect to the fam
keep bangin'
love=love
Ak
Tue April 1, 2003 9:59:08 PM
It's takin me long enough......
No, I wasn't stalling
It just seemed like when I would write to you, something else would come out
but now it's time!!!!!!
It's time!!!!!!! and the time is..........
(Ok, that's enough with the drama);-)
The question was, what exactly is KRUCIALKEYS?
You've heard me say it, big it up, scream it, rep it
but what the hell is it?
most of you already know.....
KrucialKeys is a company that was conceived by my partner Kerry "Krucial"
Brothers and myself....put us together and you get KRUCIALKEYS.
It was born out of a time when we had to take matters in our own hands and make
all the people who never thought we could, would or should....believers.
Krucial's always been that type of cat. He's the guy that said to me,"
U wouldn't be able to play the keys like you do if you didn't have ur own piano"
"well", he'd say, "We can't keep chasin these cats who dont even
see your vision, if we wanna be the best, we gotta get our own shit!!! We gotta
do our own shit!!"
This was when I was 16, livin in Harlem, and hustlin' everyday to make it happen,
to beat this game b4 it beat me and those words made me see things in a whole
new way. I don't think I'd be half of who I am, or do half of what I do, without
those words and knowing that you have to get your own and make your own way!
So we grinded like crazy and got us the lil bit of equiptment we could. And
it wasn't much, but it was our palace and it was the beggining of KRUCIALKEYS!
Now KRUCIALKEYS has expanded into a team. A team of Artists, Producers, Writers,
DJ's, Innovators, Visionaries.
And we focus on breaking the rules, changing the game, quality, and always doing
or trying something different, unexpected.
And this is only the beggining, as we continue to spread the sound, and the
words, in many different mediums....just wait and see
u r already part of the team cuz a team supports each otha. na mean?
and the possibilities are endless!
Lets take over the world togetha!!!!!!!
If you wanna get a little closer to KRUCIALKEYS, the next mixtape is FIYAH!!!
and it's something that you're gonna want to hear. Along with the whole KRUCIALKEYS
family we also have EVE, FAITH, LOON, exclusive blends and more on this tape.
Its off the chain. So if you want more info on the KRUCIALKEYS mitape volume
2: THE KEY MOVEMENT
contact
KRUKEYZME@aol.com
Besides that family, have you heard about sumpthin special takin place on THURSDAY???????
OHHHWEEEEEEE!!! YOUR GONNA LOVE THIS!!!
keep your ears open and stay on point........
talk to you very soon
AK
Fri March 21, 2003 2:08:26 AM
Ohhhhhh and by the way.........
CUCUMBER!!!!!!!!
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
love is love
til next time
U-already-know-who;-)
Fri March 21, 2003 1:12:58 AM
To my dear WARRIORS,
Its a strange time, aint it? In the air you feel it....I think today GOD was
crying for us. It rained all day non stop. I think God is saddened by the selfishness
of man, the superficiatity and the superiority complex that is leading us to
GOD only knows where. He gave us choice, he gave us a mind that's limitless
in his likeness and we've only used it to destroy, to use people and for monitary
gain. Caring nothing of the repercussions. We're is love?? Where is she hiding??
I'm saddened by it too, I have to admit. At times my mind wanders, and I start
to think of the worst of things, of the way that things could be at its darkest
point, I think of how I felt when I saw images of my own hometown after 9-11
and at a breif look I thought it was the middle east, or some war ridden country....but
it was here! and I was humbled and numbed by the possibilties...of how Much
we've always takin for granted.
I'm reading a book by Julia Alverez. Its an AMAZING book called "In the
time of the butterflyz" (oops butterflies:-) Funny thing is I read it in
High school, in the 11th grade. I had this teacher I didn't really like (I don't
think I liked much on ANYONE then:-) plus it was required reading. I remember
it affecting me, but I don't think I internalized it the way I am now. I had
been talking about it, saying how much a REALLY wanted to read it again, now.
As if by magic or a sweet prayer being answered, a lady by the name of Ayana
sent it to me (if you visit this site.....thank you!!!) And thats how I came
to read it again. Amazingly enough it is about the dictatorship in the Dominican
republic and all the lies and deciet and propoganda that was told as truths
and people were forced to believe and support the government or pay serious
consequences. The book is about 4 sisters who helped to begin the revolution
that would free the country from the cruel rule of the regime. As I read it
now, I see more parrallels than I care to acknowledge..it seems almost as if
this book is describing our state now and it shocks me to see how everything
is unfolding. This book takes place from the 40's through the 90's.
Here we are in 2003 and it continues....
The thing is, I know we will ALWAYS have to fight for what is right, that is
the struggle of life. I just wish I felt like this was for the right reasons.
But when is war ever right? I know its something that is almost inevitable...but
I sure wish it wasn't!
I don't feel down tho. yes its natural to feel alittle fear when it comes to
the unknown, because we don't know exactly what's happening..we get little bits
and peices but never the whole story, so we feel vunerable, even ignorant in
some cases..and thats scary. But we can't feel depressed about it, We have to
search more we have to "search 4 the truth" we have to listen beyond
just the words spoken to what is unspoken and always know that GOD is with us
and Pray for understanding and direction. Sometimes you have to step back and
analyze to find the way....we are all tryign to figure out the right way, to
get invoved, to make a difference, to make a change.....
The other morning, I couldnt sleep, I woke up around 5:30am. The sky was unbelievable.
it was the color of infinity. Thats the only way I can describe it
it was a soft lavender and everything else was dark. Everything was still and
in that moment I felt the greatest peace I've ever felt....So I know it exists.
I felt calm, I felt like all the answers were there to be found. I felt GOD's
presence!
We aren't alone my Soldiers. we are the youth. we are the leaders. There is
nothing to fear because we are all in this together, they may try to seperate
us with, race, religion, hate and war, but nothing can stop us from rising,
nothing can stop our spirits from triumph. They may want to live divided, but
we choose to b united
dont let anything get inbetween us as we figure out the rest....
to the ongoing search
to no fear
to change
to the family!
lellow
Tue March 4, 2003 10:11:46 PM
Hi
Hope it hasn't been too long. I've locked myself away in the studio and the
fire is BLAZIN!
I know God is always with us but I REALLY feel his/her presence walking beside
us. Its creating a river of truth that is overflowing out of me and onto the
microphone. People ask me all types of questions but I feel so much joy right
now because I am able to continue to speak from my heart and that always liberates
me. I can't wait to share with you all that I've been feeling, all thats been
on my mind, all I have gone through. You will find it all on this album, and
I hope that in some way I am able to speak for you and connect with you, like
we already have!
so, I'm SUPA excited...ohhhhhhweeeeee its on and poppin!!!
So the Grammys were cool. I played it REAl low. Alil mystery is always fun.
people shouldnt be able to get to u ANYTIME they want. Its like if your feelin
a guy or a girl and you know you will see him/her at a certain time or place,
sometimes you should be late..........sometimes you shuld make em wonder:-)
I was really happy for Miss Norah Jones and happy to be able to present her
with best new artist! I like John Mayer too. I was also happy for India and
Ms Badu!
I didn't really hang out to much, but I did go to a hot ass jam session that
Erikah Badu and Common put together. It was fly! all about the music! Erikah
Badu was there Common, Raphael Saadiq, questlove, Michelle N'degechello, Brian
Mcknight, India.Irie, floetry, Jill Scott, Bilal, Musiq, Prince, and so many
other talented people!!! it was very cool, jazzy spot, a vibe ran thru the crowd
like smoke and settled over everyone.....I love thangs like that!
The "tattoo" said Think 4 urself!!! It really meant whatever you took
it for, but for me I often feel like we as people believe everything we hear,
or everything someone tells us. Especially when it comes to this war. Do we
challenge what is fed to us, told to us as truths we shuld believe? We get so
caught up in the newest gossip we dont even think it may just be a deterent
layed in our paths for us to believe, to take our focus away from what is really
happening. So the tattoo was a challange, for us all to think 4 ourselves. Dont
only let people feed you thoughts, but listen to your own. trust your instincts,
especially when something feels funny. that is God telling you......to think
for urself!!!
I thought it was cool you wanted to know the composer for the break on the 'girlfriend
Video". That was actually composed by myself and a super talented guy named
Ray Chew. Once I decided I wanted to do a break in the song we vibed together
on the arpeggios and chord changes. It was fun, and challenging to create a
new classical peice, but it wont be the last time...that opens up a whole 'nother
side of the mind!:-)
So as for the question about when it comes to the instrusion of the the media...
well, mostly I enjoy talking to people. I like GOOD questions that challange
my mind, my thoughts, my understanding. So most of the time I enjoy the thought
process and especially the way you have to be on your toes and think quick.
But when its an idiot or somebody that really doesn't care, I laugh at them!
wanna know why? cause they dont know me!!! they dont do shit for me! and they
could never know my heart and honestly, I wont let them get close enough to
ever find out!! LOL
Its cool with me, cause there's always a balance. you have to experience the
ultimate idiot to understand awesome brillance:-)
thanks for caring about if they bother me or not, that's sweet!;-)
Well, just wanted to check in family, remind you I'm always thinking of you.
Were gettin some hot studio footage and you'll be the first to see it, so you
can be with me through the journeys that lie ahead.......
my people, stay up, stay strong, and read between the LIES
Ak
Thu February 20, 2003 3:12:19 AM
Peace yall
Just wanted you to know, I read your ideas and thoughts for everything, but
especially about the site and with your ideas and mine we're gonna add some
really special things on here, that you can only get ON here! It's gonna continue
to be our special place. For us to build and conversate and continue to share
all that we have in common.....I can dig it, can u dig it?
I'm really prouda yall! I really love commin here and seeing whts on your mind,
sharing whats on mine. I really appreciate the positivity (of course not always,
but mostly):-), the depth of your minds, the way we all are just striving to
ge better, be greater. I can actually picture us buildin when we're like 50
years old:-) we'll still be tight!
'Member the question when someone asked something to the nature of, Would I
become friends with a fan(I hate the word fan, I like fam beter) anyway, I thought
that was a really good question. My feelin? well, Friendship is hard to come
by. I mean REAL friendships, with one that is not just a friend when it's convenient,
or because they want something. To me, friendship is also like any other relationship,
with someone you really care about. It has to be a 2way street. I feel like
a REAL friendship is when you both give equally to each other, you both learn
from each other, you're honest with each other and you both help each other
to grow and build. In any realtionship if your the only one putting your all
and your heart into it, than its not really a positive relationship. So for
me it takes a long time to consider someone a TRUE friend. Someone who would
be there thru the highs and most importantly the lows of life's road, and love
you just the same because they dont care about everyone else, or how you benifit
THEM. They just care about YOU.
That's very rare.
I watch EVERYONE closely. Even those that Ive known for years. Unfortunately
even your oldest relations change. But when I see someone who is special, and
has true love in their heart, morals and ideas and thoughts that are similiar
to mine, I make a mental note that this person has a golden heart and if time
and circumstance happen to bring us closer than, thats what was meant, and I'll
feel bleesed that GOD sent me a strong person to help and for them to help me...........does
that even answer the question?????????LOL
Anyway friendship is precious, and if its REAL I always welcome it, but only
after time. Only time proves what blows away like sand in the wind and what
stays strong and solid like an immovable mountian, what wears away and what
doesn't!!!
Now, my noctural A** needs to go to bed
talk to you soon
We gotz BIG plans!!!!!!!!
4eva
AK
Wed February 12, 2003 6:46:00 AM
Oh geah!
Just finished workin on some JOINTS!
'm LOVIN the vibe mang!, its just flowing and I'm letting it run!
Im real excited about this, And I've been DYIN for yall to hear some new banga's,
but soon enough. I'm thinkin of mayb hookin it up so you can hear some sneak
previews........
Which brings me to something I wanted to ask you.
I'm having some discussions about changing up the site, and I know NOBODY knows
better than YOU what you would like to change, or what you would like to have,
or be different. So hook me up, write me on the board with your ideas and together
we can lace it and throw out the trash!LOL!!!!!!!!:-)
Besides that, that DVD yall are talking about, that WHOEVA is advertising and
selling is BOGUS!!!!!!!!! it's NOT the DVD I was talking about from the tour
with all the official behind the scenes footage and interviews. SO DON'T waist
your time or your doe cuz, I didn't have ANYTHING to do with it, so its gonna
be GARBAGE! Just somebody out there tryn hustle you out YOur $.
Anyway, it's to late (or to early) to talk to long, just wanted to say what
up! You know how we get down!
Till the next time Family........
Love is love
you-know-who(dontcha!):-)
Wed February 5, 2003 4:02:39 PM
HI!
Did you miss me??
Thats a joke, cause I've been reading what you've been writing and I know what
you've been feeling.
I'm feeling kinda wierd today. You know that feeling? The one that feels all
strange in your stomach and you vauguely know what it is but it's there so strong!
You wanna decribe it, at least for yourself, thinking that if you can put it
into words you can maybe get a better handle on it. But the words to properly
descibe it arent coming and so you feel this void, that you wish would close........
I don't know, I guess it's called the Human experience. Its gonna constantly
go up and down.......theres no escape from that fact.
I try to look at it in a way that puts it in perspective, like without bad,
there can be no good..or without knowing sadness you can never know happiness
or the best one.......it will all pass soon
When I feel this way, I pray. I never underestimate the power of prayer! to
ask for understanding of what I'm feeling and relief!
Sometimes, its jus one of those days
But the best thing to do is to decide its gonna end! right now, right here!
I don't wanna go around all day in a funk! so I'm gonna end it!I have a plan!
and my plan is to talk about something that makes me smile. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,
You know what makes me smile? Ya'll do! (I'm smilin already) Especially how
sweet and kind and considerate and giving and thoughtful you were to me for
my birthday! WOW! I couldn't even believe it! I still barely can. All the things
you wrote to me on the message board, and all the cards and thoughtful things
you sent. The beautiful way you put together the whole site for me to look at,
and you opened up your hearts and told me exactly what you felt! You sent me
so many sweet wishes and kind words for the year ahead! The fact that you even
took the time to really put it together, or send it in the mail or write it
down........was priceless! I'm so rich with family, and you guys are millionaires!!!!!!!!:-)
It was really cool, cause my b-day lasted like the whole week!!! For some reason
this year I was sooo excited about my birthday. Usually, ever since I was younger,
I've always kinda hid my b-day, not hid it, but just didn't want to make it
a big deal. Like I HATED it when people would try to throw me surprize parties,
or if we'd be out eating somewhere and the whole resturaunt starts singing happy
birthday and they bring out a cake LOL....it's a nice gesture, but I would just
feel like I was being put on front street, and for some reason I really didn't
like that. I like the low key, the down low.
But this year, I was super excited about celebrating my day.
I was proud of this year and I wanted to honor that and celebrate it and all
that life brings and offers and teaches. So I decided I wanted to plan a nice
day with people close to me and do something that I've been dyin to do!
It started with a nice quiet dinner at one of my FAVORITE restuarants!(no loud
singing still though:-) with lots of laughs and good conversation and most importantly
GREAT food:-) then I went to see the broadway play Chicago, which was really
good! the greatest thing about theater to me is how it can just transport you
to other worlds, other times, other thoughts. After that we went to a lil lounge
kinda spot an just hung out, talked, it was real viby with couches and low lights
circled by smoke. There, some more folk met up wit us and we had a chance to
chill! from there we had to shake a leg:-) so we hit the club(which all yall
already knew about, and I wanna know how the hell the papers knew where I was??:-)plus
I had on my best disguise!HAAAAAA!
We danced the night away bein silly, making jokes, daring people to do funny
things! it was alotta fun!! I had a great day!!
See my plan is working! that strange feeling is disolving as we speak.......
The day after, I was able to just reflect,(after I was a big bum and lounged
around all day that is)write in my journal and Thank God for another year, another
day. Honestly, everyday is a birthday. Cause everyday, you're born again, EVERY
SINGLE DAY you have a new chance, a clean slate, a brand new try!
and even if you feel wierd sometimes, or out of place, or sad, hurt, unappreciated,
overworked, underloved
just know, you're not alone
we all feel that way sometimes
and I promise.........
it'll pass
Alicia
Mon January 13, 2003 6:06:06 PM
First lemme say:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
I haven't spoken to you since, but u know your always in my heart!
And I know that this year is gonna be the BEST yet! That's my story and I'm
stickin to it!:-)
For me, its all about affirmations. So when you get up in the mornin say, "This
is my year to.....(and insert the word or sentence that describes what you want
out of the year, or the month, or the day)". I'm a true believer in the
idea that the words that come from your heart, your soul, your spirit will lead
you to where you wanna be!(of course lets not forget effort, alil drive and
some get up and go:-)
Now I'm talkin bout EVERY mornin and even at night......And the Universe and
God and You will all work together toward your greatest destiny.
Alil to "Sci-fi" for some of my family out there?
NAW, lets jus call it faith, lets call it belief in the unspoken power U hold!
2nd off lemme say:
I am soooooo sorry this site has been.....for lack of a better word
STRAIGHT UP TRASH!!!!!!!!:-)
for not having the most recent diary enteries and for being down due to some
serious problems but rest assured, I'm on a rampage to get it right and get
it MUCH better!!!!
This is our home
This is our way to communicate, and I'm not about to let other people's problems
and deficiences get in OUR way! FEEL ME!
But its A.G. cause sometimes you need a BIG thing to happen to realize that
a BIG change has to happen....
Other than that, I heard about some of your New Years(funny)
My New Year was tight, personal, small, sweet. Every year I like to spend my
New Year doing what I plan to be doin ALL YEAR LONG!!! Plus I like to pray and
thank GOD for the year that has passed and the good people that have been placed
in my life, all that I have learned, all I have yet to learn, and all that I
want to work toward for the next year, with GOD's help.....
Then me and my closest folk have some fun doin, what we plan to be doin ALL
YEAR LONG!!! I know I said that already, but that's my story and I'm stickin
to it!!!:-)
Now, Ive been hearing that you've been wondering about a DVD.....
WEll........
should I tell ya???
OK
While I was on tour, there was a guy that you may have seen always around with
a video camera, well lets just say, he was EVERYWHERE, in EVERY country, EVERY
city, EVERY show, EVERY event, EVEN when I was jus chillin, AND he'll even be
around while I'm makin this record soooooooooooooooooo
lets just say, there's alot to be seen and, well, you know how I dig yall, and
I go ALL out for people that I dig..believe it!!!
There's also been another question floatin around and that is WHAT EXACTLY IS
KRUCIALKEYS?????
Good question, and I want to answer it for ya......
BUT, not quite yet. I think I'll leave that to the next one.....
U know how we do, right ladies? always gotta leave em wantin more!!!
GEAH!!!!!!!
TO the greatness inside us all!
AK
Ps The questions you sent were soooo refreshing, thought provoking, sensitive,
and 4real!(YES, I read them ALL:-) they gave me a lot to think about and we're
gonna build on em 4sho.
I'm happy you were apart of it and I'm already plotting on the next.....Look
out! and get down! ooooweeee!
Mon December 30, 2002 2:06:02 AM
Sitting here........
1:26am
I like this kinda time, its all moms fault anyway:-) She's always been such
a hustla, commin in from doing overtime at work at around 3am, then getting
up and goin to the gym or sumpthin crazy and then back to work. So it's inherited
I guess.
But the quiet of the nite, the stillness that revolves around you. When it feels
like the world is asleep and you can finally hear your thoughts...what do they
say to you? do u listen?
Sometimes its scary to listen to your true thoughts. Especially if they are
screaming at you to make a change. Instead of listening, its much easier to
watch Jamie Fox or sumthin and try to laugh.....but then, eventually, u are
faced with the stillness of the night....and then there is nowhere to run.
1:31am
I'm reading a book, well not right this second, but u know what I mean, called
"Veronika decides to die"
Its by one of my favorite authors named Paulo Coelho. He wrote an amazing book
called "The Alchemist"
he has an incredible way of writing, that draws you in and then you identify
so deeply with the book that you can apply it to your life, or at least it provokes
thoughts, that make you think about your life.......but back to Veronika
She doesnt want to live, not becuase she's nessicarily unhappy or devastated
or depressed, but becuase she just doesnt feel...anything, not joy not pain,
nothing and the repetition of daily life and schedules is so monotonous, that
she wonders is there even anything to look forward to? After she attempts to
die and doesn't certain circumstances makes her realize just how much there
is to live for, how much life she has inside of her, that she just never discovered
beacuse she was always trying to play it safe, but by that time it's to late...........
Its interesting, maybe we could build on it if you read it, but just the thought
of all the things you realize when its to late, and all the things you would
change if you could, so why not change it? why not do something that you've
been meaning to? call a friend who u fell out with becuase of a misunderstanding
you never understood, or just doing something completely different for the sake
of adventure like going to see a foreign film to be transported to another world,
or randomly helping somebody, purely for the love, not for the return.......there
is so much to understand, to find out, to do, to ever fall into the hole of
oblivion. That jewel inside of u is dying to shine, no matter what this nasty,
decieving, unpredictable yet beautifully amazing world puts in your path or
throws your way...dont give up on it
Dont give up on you
The world needs you
I need you,
so we can continue the inspiration exchange we got goin on:-)
1:49am
I'm listening to prince
It's just him on the keys
The intimate vibe is floatin like a purple cloud around the crib
and I'm relaxed
more relaxed than i've been in a WHILE!
Sometimes, were so caught up in everything and everybody else that we forget
about us
What does your heart wisper to you?
What are you dying to do, but keep avoiding?
what are you scared of?
I'm gonna sit in the silent night and listen......
Happy holidays family!
This New Year is garaunteed to be the best one yet!!!!!!
wanna no why?
cause were gonna MAKE it that way!!!!
This Christmas I had the opportunity to do what Ive been dreaming of, being
with people that love me nomatter what rain falls and that means so much to
me.
Thank God for that.
I also got a chance to speak to a lil sis from the board(BIg Up!!!) and reached
out to 2 people from the AKFC Family....which was fantastic
I like to be in touch with yall....it feels right
I dont want you to stress about getting your fanclub things back, most of the
new ones will be sent out specially in January...cause we added some things
and figured we send it all together, and all my folk who already got the first
delivery, will be getting another......
the wait makes it all the sweeter,
thanks for being so cool 'bout it:-)
2:06am
night falls deeper
dreams of the subconcious lurk
waiting to be found
questions desiring an answer
lets go find it.........
u have no idea how much I dig u
until the next meeting
AK
Sun December 15, 2002 9:40:14 PM
When I was reading through the board the other day, somebody asked a question
about how to deal with nerves. I was feeling that, and even more feeling your
answers, because I know there are soooo many creative people on here. I liked
seein how u handled nerves. I know that's one of the many things we all experience.
Anytime, like when u go to a new place, or you're talking to a guy(or a girl
for my fellas) for the first time that you've been admiring only from afar,
or when u have to make a speech, or perform in some way... you know, u feel
nervous. U wouldn't be human if you didn't. I know for me when I'm nervous I
joke ALOT! I don't even know why, it's like my natural reaction to relax my
enviroment or something.
I remember performing at this lil club on 45th and 8th ave maybe like 4 years
ago. It was kinda like and open mic thing and there were alot of people performing.
When It was my time, I was really nervous because I didn't have as much time
as I wanted to learn the song that I was doing. Anyway, they call my name and
I get myself all hyped up, tryna push the nerves to the side. I get on my piano
and to b honest, I was REALLY messin up, so I start making jokes and the crowd
starts laughing and I took that moment to flip to a song that I knew better........the
crowd never new, but I did! and I made a promise to my self to only do what
I was sure of cuz man, next time I might run outta jokes, naw just kiddin (I
can neva run outta jokes:-)!!
but for me, the most nerves come from uncertainity...and confidence comes form
repetition, and to be realistic, the more u try, and mess up, the better you
get, cuz thats just all the more you know about yourself and your style, ur
flow, ur induviduality...I'm diggin that! I'm diggin yall!!! Keep bangin!
I also just wanted To big up everyone out there whos a part of the KrucialKeys
movement! Yall have been showing so much love that KrucialKeys is re-issuing
volume one for all the folk that didn't get a chance to cop it! Volume 2 is
commin soon............and it's UGLY!!!!!!!!!!:-)
For info email
Krukeyzme@aol.com
And all my people who's rockin wit AKFC, its going down something serious! The
Special fam is gowing, and for The holidays 2 people from the AKFC fam is gonna
hear from me.....you'll see! ;-)
How's joining online workin for my fam? is it smooth or confusing?
plus I know alot of my people overseas was trying to figure out how to get money
conversion and things of that nature, but I definetly think the best way is
the post office, they can help u get the right paperwork, like a money order,
or what ever it may be called in your particular country, and any other things
u may need help with, then we can keep expanding the movement, cuz u KNOW were
gonna do some fly exclusive things before the next album, so u can be the first
to be up on whats goin on, were also planning some acedemic, songwriting and
lyric driven competitions....oh yea! we gonna keep each otha on our toes na
mean?
Hope this reaches u in soaring spirits! I'm bout to hit the lab and turn the
oven on HIGH (and that just means make it HOT, so don't go and start drug speculation
and sh*t)HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!
One love my fam
talk to you in a minute
AK
Wed December 11, 2002 4:27:02 PM
My Family,
I'm back, I'm back,..... I'm back, I'm back!
Yes Yes
It's good to b home, lemme rephrase.....It's GREAT to b home!!!! Its like coming
back into my own skin. Seeing the places I've always seen. The streets I've
always walked, the faces Ive missed so much. It's an amazing realization!
I'd like to think I'm a woman of the world, in the sense that everywhere Ive
been blessed to go this year, I feel like it has become a part of me. It has
been molded somehow into my heart and engraved in my memory.
The whole time I was over seas, I was simply just living in the moment; enjoying
it as much as a could, wanting to take in all that I could, knowing that if,
God forbid, the world ended, I could go knowing that I didn't go half ass, knowing
that I did all I was able to. I Honestly Loved being overseas!!! The love was
ever-flowing. I never once (thankfully) felt out of place, or that hole in ur
heart that u feel when u feel unsure or alil scared or like u don't fit, not
at all!! Thats why I can say I am a woman of the world, because this is the
type of embrace u gave me....Thank u!
But I'm back, oh yes
back to terrorize New York Citaaay!!! HAAAAAAAAAAAA! and it's great to be home!
I officially landed on friday, but the whole time I was in the airport on my
way home I was pacing like a caged animal. I must have had the silliest grin
on my face. I talked to everyone I saw, sayin lil remarks in jest, or ,"goodmornin
how ya feelin today?" Most of the folk had to think something was wrong
with me, but I didn't care, my joy could not be contained, or boxed up for the
next man or woman.... so I just let it run free!
When the plane landed we all screamed and clapped making sooooo much noise.
The time in New York was alil after 2pm.....in my head the time was somewhere
between 8 and 11pm, thanks to bouncing around time zones for the past 3 months,
but my energy was so high! I got my bags and went right to my nana's crib, couldn't
even go drop my bags off, had to go see her and get some long needed TLC, nana
style.....I stayed awhile just catching up, took alil nap, str8 doin the family
thing, my heart was swelling....there is nothing more precious, nothing more
valuable than what is real...that love that u cannot touch but u sure can feel.....that
is a true millionare!
I headed back to the crib round 9pm just breathed in the mess of it and smiled
cuz even tho it looked like Sh*t:-) it is mine, and no hotel can compare....
Started working on an arrangement I did for the Kennedy Center Honors which
was offically my last performance until the next album, and although I just
got home, I wanted to do it....It is a song that I really feel represents all
that is going on in the world and that is going on in our lives just as humans,
plus it's a song that Paul Simon wrote(and I truly admire a songwriter with
depth and longevity such as he) He was one of the people being honored...to
me this was an honor to even be asked to attend let alone perform and I wanted
to do it my way:-)
Once I got it how I wanted it, I went to sleep.....in MY bed, with MY pillows
and slept peacefully!
On Sat. I rested and lounged (WOW! haven't done that in awhile) and prepared
to leave for DC on Sunday.
The day of the show was amazing! It really commemorated some extraordinary performers
and their imput in the world....people like James Earl Jones, Paul Simon, Chita
Rivera, Liz taylor, Sydney Portier, Steve Martin, Laurence Fishbourne,Angela
Basset, Colin Powell and so many more were there, I was looking to my right
and my left like what the F*ck????:-) it was pretty crazy, but VERY inspiriational.
really.
I drove home that night and In my bed asked myself was I even there today? it
almost felt like a dream. I was honored to play Bridge over troubled water in
front of all those people for Mr. Paul Simon.
But now this chapter closes....and it is only one of many in a long and special
book that together we are writing. This cahpter holds some of the dearest memorioes
of my life!!! and I will NEVER EVER forget it! I am so excited about the next
chapter, all that is in store, all that there is to do and learn and most importantly,
discover....about ourselves, our minds, our hearts.
Ive learned so much, and can only search for more.....let the search continue
United we stand, my family
love always and forever
Alicia
Thu November 21, 2002 7:20:13 PM
Hey fam-a-lam,
How's everybody feelin out there? been drifting among u, but have been dying
to write to you. Where I am it's 1:52 am. I'm in Africa. WOW! It amazes me that
I'm here, but before I talk about that I juat have to give the utmost props
to Europe and the Uk for taking such good care of me. Each and every place was
unforgettable. Sometimes I even asked myself,"self, what are u doing here?"
looking out on the different audiences in all these different countries, humbles
me in a way no words can properly express. but I'm a believer that, if u walk
in the light, toward the light, by way of the light, than it will lead the way.
I thank God everyday, for something as simple as waking up, as starting again,
as being able to get on a plane and get off again, being able to get in a car
and get out again, its those simple things that make me see the gloriousness
that life has to offer. Everytime I see a mountain, it makes me think of the
infinite posibilities that are within us. Evertime I use a cell phone or see
a building scraping the skyline, I realize just how much brilliance we all have
within us.....DO u feel it? do u see it in yourself?
SO europe was Amazing to me, it is a time I will never in all of my life forget.
I'm so happy to have met so many of u and at least if not personaly seen ur
faces, at least been able to put a familiar country and city to all the places
u post from........Thank you for welcoming me, for showing me so much!!!
Now I'm in Africa, it is beautiful here!the mountains and the ocean are so close,
the blue waters are a combination of the Indain and the Atlantic and there is
so much history, so much to learn, so much to decipher through. so much to observe.
The people here are very kind, very generous, giving people.
I'm here for World Aids Day, to help spread the word, that this is something
we can deal with, something that if we really stand together and discuss and
don't hide, than we can turn these extrememly mind boggling circumstances around.
Africa has the highest population of people living with Aids, and today I was
able to go to a youth center called "love-life" and talk to and build
with and spend some time with the young people in an area called Langa and see
how they deal with not only living with Aids but teaching others about how to
avoid it. It was very special to meet young people, my age some even younger,
some living with Aids, some not, but with such a joy for life, nomatter what
comditions they are living with, be it Aids, or poverty(cause "the ghetto's"
here are like NOTHING uve ever seen in America or Europe) or even just everyday
struggles of a young adult coming into their own. The most amazing thing is
how much of the same things we all experience, it doesn't matter where u grew
up, what color u are, what religion......humans have the same human experience,
so the only thing that seperates us from each other is ourselves. But being
here, makes me feel like real life is about sharing ,about understanding, about
communicatiing, about not being afraid to talk about the things that scare us,
the things that were all going through......Aids is happening everywhere, and
it's so important to love urself, respect urself, protect urself, and realize
this is something we all have to deal with. and if we do deal with it we can
change it.
I don't know, I'm probably babbling, but I truly mean every babbling word. It
just amazes me how life is so never-ending...so infinite......so beautiful,
even in all its uglyness, the beauty is what I see the most(thank God!!!)
I see the beauty in U!!!!
and I pray that we always see the beauty in each other, but even more so in
ourselves..IN ourselves....
My family,
stay up, reach high, fly away in ur dreams and make them reality.....
Respect!!!
AK
Fri November 1, 2002 10:00:41 PM
p.s
Excuse my abundance of mistakes.....c what happens when you rush:-)
Fri November 1, 2002 9:59:59 PM
p.s
Excuse my abundance of mistakes.....c what happens when you rush:-)
Fri November 1, 2002 9:56:17 PM
OK, ok,ok.....Did you miss me????
I know it's been a min. I've been tryna get on, but I have way so much to say,
that I don't even know where to start so I end up putting it off untill I'm
in a quiter space. But then it seems that I'll never write, so I figure I might
as well, just say hey at the very least cause gotta admit, I'm kinda missin
u:-)
Anyway, I'm feeling great out here!!! So much love and such a crazy vibe!!!
everywhere is different and just opens my mind a lil wider, its a beautiful
thang! I miss home, but i'm really just enjoying each day here, loving the way
that the seas and the mountains cannot seperate the truth that resonates in
true people. It trips me out everyday and I thank God for the opportunity to
see it.
Every single city and country has been off the chain, each one different from
the next but still with those certain similarities. Dublin, Madrid, Barcelona,
Italy, Plymouth, Cardiff, Zurich, Geneva, theres more, forgive me as my mind
is going blank at 2:51am I wanna give all the cities props, for comin out and
truly rockin wit me!!!! Yes we R Rockin!!!!
Yesterday, we were toooo silly, gotta share this before my computer shuts off......
since it was halloween we decided to have some fun, so everybody gets dressed
up, masks, make-up, fake blood, cobwebs, spiders, skeleton hands, the whole
bit and we all do a crzy version of Thriller, when all the dead folk were dancin
in the street.....ohhhhh my goodness!!!! talk about funny, I was almost laughin
to hard to do it right. it was sooo much fun and Pymouth was rockin!!!! if anybody
gets pictuers of that, i'm gonna die from laughter!!!!
My computer juice is bout gone, just wanted to write and be alil silly with
you. sometimes the greatest thing is to act just like a child so u don't forget
real fun, and no cares.......even just for a moment
I will write again soon.....and i will continue to drift among you....
always love
A. Keys
ps. I saw those crazy pictuers.........I look good as Ronanld dont I?????LOL!!!
Sun October 20, 2002 12:08:24 PM
Im here in Madrid, I have to get ready for the show so I don't have much time.
but I feel something that I have to say. Excuse my lack of small talk before
getting right to the point!
I truly believe that you can be beautiful, you can be sexy, you can be sensual,
you can be attractive, and you can be classy and be covered from head to toe.
To me beauty is in your heart, it is in the way you carry yourself, it is in
the mystic and the mystery u hold, that exudes from your eyes, it really has
nothing to do with anything physical, that is the misconception. That is the
trap that is laid to try to make us as beautiful women, fall into the wrong
path. that is the deception. it is the trap set for all my stong men to destract
you to only look at the physical when really it is all mental. Who doesn't want
a woman that can intrigue you with their intelligence and lure you with the
mind, that is real beauty. It is all mental!!
Be sexy because your smart, beacuase you stand for something, because you're
not like everyone else, not because you've shown every piece and every side
of your body and every angle of you booty:-).....cause then your not special,
youve simply reduced yourself to an object of adornment. BE MORE!!!! and always
draw your own conclusions...lets break away from the cycle of followers!!!!
I'll write soon, I had to get that out
write to me, tell me what your thinking.....
one love, My FAM!!!
AK
Sun October 20, 2002 12:06:33 PM
Im here in Madrid, I have to get ready for the show so I don't have much time.
but I feel something that I have to say. Excuse my lack of small talk before
getting right to the point!
I truly believe that you can be beautiful, you can be sexy, you can be sensual,
you can be attractive, and you can be classy and be covered from head to toe.
To me beauty is in your heart, it is in the way you carry yourself, it is in
the mystic and the mystery u hold, that exudes from your eyes, it really has
nothing to do with anything physical, that is the misconception. That is the
trap that is laid to try to make us as beautiful women, fall into the wrong
path. that is the deception. it is the trap set for all mr stong men to destract
you to only look at the physical when really it is all mental. Who doesn't want
a woman that can intrigue you with their intelligence and lure you with the
mind, that is real beauty. It is all mental!!
Be sexy because your smart, beacuase you stand for something, because you're
not like everyone else, not because you've shown every piece and every side
of your body and every angle of you booty:-).....cause then your not special,
youve simply reduced yourself to an object of adornment. BE MORE!!!! and always
draw your own conclusions...lets break away from the cycle of followers!!!!
I'll write soon, I had to get that out
write to me, tell me what your thinking.....
one love, My FAM!!!
AK
Sat October 12, 2002 2:25:51 PM
Switzerland 7:37pm
Hey,
Whats goin on??? how you feelin? Hope all is well, and the day is shining bright
in your heart. I'm feeling pretty good. slept like a log today!:-) first day
off in a little while.
Just Came back from London a coupla days ago and the video went sooo well!!
I can't WAIT to see the first edit, oh my GOODNESS!!! It's serious!!! I won't
even talk about it, imma just let you see it and feel it with me!
Ive been walking amongst ya'll or should I say "surfing" amongst yall
and I know that many people want to know why it's not going to be released in
the states. The main reason is that the new edition of the album is only gonna
b released overseas, but u can still get copies of it online and at stores like
Virgin megastore, but the video is for the release of that album and since it's
only s'possed to be released over here, the Vid will only be showed over here........kinda
sucks huh???LOL but you never know what could happen.............
Funny though cause while I was on the plane coming from London to Munich, I
was just chillin, writin' some postcards, writing in my journal, cause I Have
to get all these thoughts outa my head.... And I'm not one known for talking
alot, so thats why I write. Anyway, I start thinking, maybe i'll get a magazine
to read, but suddenly I'm like, "Hole up"!!! I don't wanna read no
damn magazine, not more of he say she say, who said this, and who's doin that!
I was just wieghed down with the feelin that we constantly ingest soo much GARBAGE!!
So often we watch T.V., read magazines, listen to the radio, constantly ingesting
another persons thoughts, and bias's, and ego's, and misunderstandings, and
lies, and distorted truths. It sickens me honsetly that we constantly depend
on others opinions to draw our own. Most people don't stand alone and believe
in our own way- we follow like a flock of sheep- dazed.....turn here, stop there,
do this, don't do that, eat now, sleep now, follow this...etc
It seems like I constantly notice how we are sooo fearful of the unknown, literally
scared to death of what is different and virtually panic stricken to be the
leader or starter of something brand new. Which is actually why we have no leaders!
because we are all so programed to say and do and respond exactly like the other
billions of humans living, there is little or even no induviduality, there is
no burning spirit, there is no being fed up! we simply except all that is given
beause our eyes are distracted on worthless prizes-prizes that don't really
benifit us-only give us a false illusion or temporaory security-and those are
the things we spend our whole life working for,as our "president"
reads books upside down, and our spirits get left behind and become farther
and farther away from us because we spend no time building it, no time nuturing
it, no time to understand and learn it, and then we turn around and we don't
know ourselves
cause we simply never tried........
I don't know, just some things that go thru my mind sometimes and I just wanted
to build on it
on a lighter note, I was able to read some beautiful poetry on this board. you're
are so talented, so creative, and deeply feeling, it makes me always remember
the beauty that can never die!
In the Fan club, as it gets going, there will be all types of opportunities
to share and submit your lyrics and poetry, your drawings your astistry for
different contests and oppportunities, as well as all my smarty pants:-) out
there, for keeping the focus and the grades high, I'm ALL about that! ain't
no point if you don't do your best! there will be alot of ways that we can connect
and build. I was just seeing all your creativity pouring down the board and
I Loved it.
U can write to:
AKFC
156 w 56th st 4th flr
New York, NY 10019
also there will be a way for you to join online within the next 2 weeks.
Just talking, sharing and letting you know, I'm always here, and we're in this
together! so, we're never alone........
one love
A. KEYS
P.s. by now you might have heard of the KRUCIALKEYS mixtape Vol.1
It's something crazy!!! and part of the underground movement for more info email:
KRUKEYZME@AOL.COM
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......;-)
Fri October 4, 2002 6:00:15 PM
Yea!!!!!!!!!!Whats goin on???????????
I apologize for takin such a looooooong time to write. so long that the only
thing u saw is how I had to cancel that one show in Amsterdam everytime you
logged on. I'm tellin you, if ONE more journalist asked me about me canceling
that show.............:-) I realized that I was WAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY overdue to
write a new entry!!! so here I am!!!
Since then, Ive been 100% better!!!, weve been having CRAZY shows in Germany!
Weve been to Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin. In Berlin it was Unification
Day and I was proud to be there, doing a show that day. It really made it special!
after the show I went to see the part of the Berlin wall that is still standing,
and it was truly amazing to witnewss it first hand. To know that this was something
that I only heard about thru a box of images, and to see it up close, and feeling
the history that it represented, really made the fact the it was Unification
Day that much more poignant. There's so much we take for granted.......
Now we're in Sweden after a 16 hour drive of endless roads and ferry boats,
and the show is tomorrow so you KNOW its goin down!!!! It really gives me a
great appreciation of different places and people, histories and herstories
being here in Europe.
Im bout to hit the town, get a vibe of a brand new city, feel the energy, shake
my a** alil:-) but before I go, I want you to know that the reason the Denmark
show was rescheduled is cause were doing a video for Girlfriend as it's going
to be released in Europe. The video is gonna be SICK!!! Im so excited about
it!but that was the only day we could do it......... no worries though, were
working on the dates right now, and so u KNOW when we come its gonna be something
we both will NEVER forget! believe me!!! I really appreciate your understanding
for both the Amsterdamn show and the Denmark show and when I get there, I'm
gonna make it something special!!!!!
I will write soon in a more quiet space, I just had to get that last post away
form the top!!!:-)
much love to u.....stay focused, Be great!!! u already are!!
AK
Fri September 27, 2002 3:24:03 PM
I had to cancel the show!!!!;-(
I'm sittin here miserable.
I would so rather be with ya'll singing the songs and laugIhing and dancing
and partyin'!!!!
I'm sooo heated!!!
okokokokokokok enuf complaining, lemme tell you.....
It was the weirdest thing
the show last nite was off the chain. after 'fallin' was over and I was on my
way upstairs I felt alittle something funny with my voice. I didn't think it
was a big deal cause sometimes after a show and all the heat and excitement
my voice feels alittle tired, but nothing that alittle rest can't fix. so I
assumed that's exactly what it was and I went back to the hotel anticipating
a restful sleep and being a hundred percent tomm.
so before I lay down I gargled with sea salt and water, just to make sure. all
nite i'm tossing and turning and waking up and my throat feels more amd more
sore, like this very strange, burning sensation. it was REALLY bothering me!
by morning time I was still feeling the same way, so we decided I should keep
my speaking to a minimum and I would be good enuf for the show, we called a
doctor just to make sure everything was cool. all day my voice is killing me,
even in complete silence, "this is strange" I'm thinking. Even when
I was writing the post earlier, my throat was hurting, but you know me, I'm
putting out the positive vibes, and talking about how great the show is going
to be.....
but I get to the venue and it's not better. the doc checks it out and tells
me that my throat is inflamed and it needs to rest in order to be back to 100%,
now it's decision time....do I try to make it throught the show and make it
WORSE???? or try to do the show and maybe my voice will not make it all the
way through? or do a shorter version of the show? or not do the show at all??
now me, I want to do it anyway!!!! but I have to be smart, first of all this
is only the 3rd show and i want to make it ALL across Europe, 2ndly I don't
want to sing while my voice is already hurting and then make it worse or even
cause myself some longterm trouble, and 3rdly i don't want to do a half ass
show, I wanna do it right!!!
so as much as it hurt me to admit it, I decided that even though it was late,
It would be better for all of us if I took 2nite and tomm to relax, and then
be 100% better so we can keep lightin the fire across Europe!!!
I felt really bad, especially beacuse I knew that people were traveling from
all over, and they would jus be getting there...so I wrote a letter to put at
the boxoffice, so everyone would get the info from my mouth, and in the meanwhile
we are working on a resheduling date, cause yes, i'm comin back in Nov. and
we will definetaly make it up to you! and It'll be even better then. I promise!!!!
Well, I wanted you to understand why the show had to b postponed and I really
feel so upset, well a more honest word would be PISSED!!!:-), that I'm sittting
here in this hotel room typing and not up on that stage, but I want you to know
how sorry I am and i hope you weren't too inconvienced, but know that when We
see each other agian it will be well worth the wait!!!
thanks a million times for all your well wishes, and don't worry, nothings wrong,
i'm not rundown, i'm not sick, just God's way of telling me to take a little
nap:-)
all my love
Alicia
ps. to the sweet young ladies who brought me cough drops, i won't forget that
genuine act of kindness, yall are the greatest!
talk to you very soon.....
Fri September 27, 2002 9:55:00 AM
Greetings from Holland,
Man oh Man, I made it safe and sound! Actually ive been here for about 5 days.
I took a 7 and ahalf hour flight from Ny to paris then hopped on my Bus and
drove 5 hours form Paris to Belgium and after a short 12 hours:-) I was here,
in Europe. Gotta give thanks to the most high for allowing all the traveling
mercies.
I am SOoooooooo happy to be here! we only had one day to set up for the show
which is the shortest time weve ever had, when I say set up I mean making sure
the lights are right and the timing is right, making sure the sound is good
and the levels are proper, making sure the moves are correct, like when my pianos
are moved on and off stage etc.... but it was cool cause I've simplyfied the
show some, made it more intimate, more one on one, so me and you can be up close
and personal! I'm feelin the changes, I like how it's evolved the show!
Soooo that leads us up to the first show in Brussels.....I looked at the place
when i walked in, when it was all empty, and i said," Man, thats Alot of
seats!!!":-) mind you, i've never been in Brussels, so i wasn't sure what
to expect, all I knew was that I was gonna give em a show they Couldn't forget!!!
So as the day proceeds, and i'm getting ready, focusin', all that. We have our
prayer and it was beautiful everyone was ready to hit! Freak and Iroc come back
from doin thier thing and said, "ohh yea, it's poppin out there!!!!"
so here we go walking down the backstage hall, my energies rising(good thing
i used degree LOL)and I hear the crowd and Oh my greatness it was SERIOUS!!!!
all 8000 people were ready to ROCK WIT ME!!!! So out I go, and on it was!!!!
the show was so amazing! the energy was so high! the vibe was sooo right!! and
I will come back to belgium Anytime!!!!
after the show we hit the bus and hit the road and came to one of my FAVORITE
cities.....Amsterdam!
I guess amsterdam intrigues me so much becuase of how liberal it is, there are
laws everywhere else that just simply dont exist here, when we arrived I had
to walk around, I always love to get the vibe of the different places i'm in.
I walked for about an hour in the rain, just strolling and watching. My internal
clock is all twisted so I can barely sleep at the times i'm supposed to and
more than ready to sleep when I'm supposed to be wide awake:-) but after about
a week that will change.
So the next day we had a day on the town....and an interesting one it was to
say the least:-)!!! only in Amsterdam, I used to think that I could only say
that about New York.....
the show here was excellent! one thing I have to say about Amsterdam is that
they were one of the first European cities to really embrace me and so Everytime
I come I feel the love!!! I appreciate them greatly for that, and so I especially
wanted to give them my all for that! we rocked hard and guess what, were gonna
do it even HARDER tonite!!!!! Yall ready????!!!!!
I was reading the boards as i often do and i was able to see how my american
side was asking the european side to take care of me, and how the european side
was telling the american side that they would treat me good and send me home
safe..........I really appreciate the fact that you all care about my well being
that much, I feel that its truly genuine and that means more to me than all
the gold in the world! u all are very special, and I will alwyas keep u close
to my heart!
I have to get outta here, cause i'm already alil late..Oooooohhhhhhhhh:-)
lets kill em tonite!
love, Always!!!!
A.K.
Tue September 10, 2002 4:16:33 AM
Yes yes yall to the beat yall..........
Whats goin on? Been doin pretty good keepin up with the writing huh???(Bout
time!!!!)LOL
Anyway Gotta show love to all the people that were in Leichester(pronounced
lester) If that is a preview of what is to come in Europe, I can't WAIT to come
out there. Ya'll were really great and I had a wonderful time. Thank you for
welcoming me.......I felt your energy.
Been readin your posts and REAlly getting a kik out of those pictures that you
post and put what you think I'm thinkin! thats toooo cute and some of those
flicks I'm Still tryna figure out how you get em:-)
Anyway your SUPER creative and I feel the brillance circulating.........
Plus I have to admit, someone mentioned how this board is just like family,
I'm really diggin the vibe......
Ive been thinking bout some things, and how sometimes things happen in life
that we dont quite expect, or that we thought would happen differently, or that
maybe we wished NEVER happened at all, and how many times have you beatin' yourself
up inside, over something you wish you never said or you wish never happened......but
Ive been thinking, and I realize that all those experiences are just lessons
that we needed to learn, lessons sent to us to help us find ourselves and how
we would handle the same situation when it comes around again to test us. As
I was thinking I realized that the beauty of life is being able to wake up every
morning, blessed with the gift of one more day, one more day to try again, to
right a wrong, to say something that we've always been meaning to say, do something
weve always meant to do. and once we can accept that we are human, and that
we dont know it all, but that our search to find, and become better is a constant
process, a constant stuggle, a constant lesson....then we can find the comfort
in the future, because how wise we are ALL destined to become......
The greatest gift, are those without a price
To the search, to the truth that we will all find in ourselves if we just listen,
and to the ones that love you at your greatest and ur worst
Keep shining........I see your brightness
Sincerely & truthfully yours
Alicia
Fri September 6, 2002 2:52:56 AM
Peace yall,
Im home, finally home. It may just be for a short time but to see my gritty
city and my messy lil crib is a thrill like no otha:-)
The tour was so great, and I learned so much and had a truly unforgettable summer
2002 with ya'll. really, its something I will remember for years to come! I
wanna thank you for being apart and sharing it with me.
I was on the baords reading and vibin with yall. Yall are tooooo silly! I have
fun reading whats on your mind, first of all how did you get those flicks of
tonite so fast??? and I see how some of yall weren't diggin my jets jersey and
my Afro Puffs in those flicks LOL! All good, I apprecaite the honesty, but I
tell you what, I HAD MAAADD FUN!
U shoulda seen me today, whilin out, talkin bout, " me and my puffs are
ready to rock!!!"
For me, thats what its about. I'm not out here, tryna be like everybody else,
HELL NO! sometimes I like to do the unexpected, I LOVE To take chances, I LOVE
to push the limits, I LIVE for that Shit. Aint no fun if were all clones of
the next man, or woman..........me.....I wanna be an induvidual, and lemme jus
say " dont fear the unknown, or the undone."
Be YOU! do YOU! and then you can never say that you wasted your time living
in others cages of expectations.....
Your potential is limitless, dont settle, jus cause it's comfortable!
That has nothing and everything to do with the green shirt!!:-)
Sat i'm headed to london for a quick radio show, Oh man I miss london and I
know were gonna have a ball!
then we begin the eurpoean side of the tour on the 21st..........
OHHHHH YEAAAAA lets take it to the other side:-) can't wait to experience everyone
over the seas of my familiar...were gonna rock jus like how we rocked here.
I'm thinking of flippin the show, jus alittle, so ull get some brand new things..........u
ready? cuz i sho am!
Listen, its been a minute, but its always good when we reconnect......
may this find you finding yourself
One love
AK
Mon August 26, 2002 7:08:32 AM
Wuzzup???
Would you believe its coming to an end???? yep. only 5 more shows on this side
of the world. I can barely believe it, but I know that my memories are colored
with brightness. and I have to say this has been one of the GREATEST summers
ive had in a very long time and it's all becuase of you!!! so thank you, for
sharing it with me and welcoming me to every city and every state and being
so gracious and so kind. I wont forget it!!!
I have just arrived in Montreal. My first time here and I almost feel like a
preview to Europe( where I can't wait to come) just yesterday I was talking
about the ways that I'm gonna flip the show for europe. So many ideas are just
brimming, you will truly enjoy, as will I.
Yesterday was the 1st day back to the on site fan club and its so exciting to
see and know that this is going to be somethng so special, so unique and I'm
happy that we can do it together..believe me, the wonders that await are numerous.
The next time the AKFC(Alicia Keys Fan Club) will be available will be in Allentown,Pa-Virginia
Beach, VA-Maryland- and Hersey park, PA.............from there you will still
have many opportunity to be apart as we are working on online joining.......so
check for more of the movement as theres nothing stronger than a group of people
all searching together for greatness.........I love it!!!!
Well, u know I have to check in and see how my Folk are!!! hope all is well
and this finds your spirits soaring, or at least maybe it can but a smile on
your face, and you can feel the blessings i want to send your way........
1lovealwayspossible
A.Keys
Fri August 23, 2002 2:52:04 AM
Hey,
Gotta show some love. I know it's been awhile.
Yesterday was freedom day in st. louis. I saw how yall were talking about my
L.L coolj impersonation (LOL), with the one leg up one leg down, that was all
apart of freedom night!
The whole evening was dedicated to being without boundaries and I have to say
it was one of the livest shows of my life! The energy from the band matched
the energy of the crowd and all of us were on fire! last nite we had an official
party!!! we freestlyed the whole nite and it was nothing but laughs and vibes
and spontaneous energy!! Truly the greastest, thangs that you probably didnt
even notice were goin on! So Much fun and there "aint no party like a St
Louis party!!!"
Today, though we acted silly and played paintball! it was fun but I got attacked
and that sho did hurt!!!:-) I'm ok though, don't worry!
Tomorrow its time for one of my favorite places....Minneappolis!!! The engery
here is the greatest! such an artistic vibe here, not to mention some of the
greatest and my favorite musicians live here. were gonna have a ball! something
special in the air...........and definatly look for Mint Condition, tommorrows
there last day with me and they have been lighting it UP!!!!Truly talented brotha's
Ok, Jus wanted to check in on yall...........Hope this finds u in a good space
of heart, mind and spirit!
Many Blessings and continued luv...............
A.Keys
Tue July 30, 2002 2:35:32 PM
It happened AGAin!!!!:-(
its a conspiracy, but its cool, I'm ova it!GEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
OkOkOkokok..........
HEy!
I'm back, I know yesterday was really short but I sat down to write and the
time just got away from me and then I had to leave, sO i figured alil was better
than nothing, but now here we are. I don't know what in the world is trying
to stop me from writting but dammit! it won't work! I'm not with things tryng
to get in my way anyway!
2nite, is the first nite of 2 in Cali at the Greek theater...I'm extremely excited
because the 2 shows before this
one in Las Vegas, nevada, which was great, a beautiful theater wit purple seats
i will never forget
and the one b4 that in Pheonix, which was HOT in MAny ways:-)go head yall!!
were both indoor theaters.
But tonite were back in amphitheaters which are truly my favorite! I mean its
just a vibe thang, something about being outside, feeling the summer wind, watching
the sunset, its just enchanting to me....So tonite is On :-)
Before Phenoix was Texas and Oh my GOOOd ness!!! it was So Hot that I thought
I was melting! I promise you I was sticking to everything, my clothes, the piano
bench, evn my hat.....it was to funny and yall were LIVE !!!! I loved it
What was before then? Atl yea,
It was beautiful, the way it was set up, candles and people bringing there own
baskets of food, it was like a picnic under the moon and stars, gorgeous!!!
even looking out from the stage and seeing the sea of swimming lights was soothing!!!
and after the apple juice and the wine settled in it was a str8 party party
party!!! I'm an apple juice gurllll myself;) but I beautiful nite it was!
Before that was all east coast,and I was having hometown fun! I loved it! Homedell,
jers , jones beach (THat was truly a thrill), Altantic City, (we had a BAll
wit the fan club), and Camden/Philly Which was OFF THE CAHIN!!! that nite it
was raining, I mean POURING all day long and it was an outside venue! The whole
time I'm like my poor babys out there are going to be soaked!, so since the
whole stage was wet tooo, whn I went onstage I thru on my sneakers(U betta believe
it!:-)) the last thing I needed to do was bust my Booty, I mean I already did
that on the slip and slide:-) and one time is ENUF!:-) but we had a ball and
thankfully the rain stopped.
that pretty much brings us to 2day and all that follows.
U know what Ive been vibin on lately?
Just living each day to the FULLEST, Enjoying it, in all its splender, its downfalls,
its joys and it's pains beacuse each one is a reminder of all that we posess
inside, all the sides that make us who we are, and just how much we are the
masters of our destiny, as hard as that is to believe sumtimes, it is so true!
U can be Anything in this whole universe! if God created it, it can be had....and
to me, thats every reason to live, and be thankful for the life we are given..........to
live in the present and recognize the present that it is..........whatta gift
we all have!!!!
I really am gonna work on getting the list of dates that are going on in Europe.........I
can't wait to go and do Some HOT SHOWS!!!!! This will officially be my first
time touring over there and Oh mAn I can't wait!!!What an experience, so i'll
work on that.
lastly, (believe it or not:-))
I appreciate all your comments, even about the things that may make you uncomfortable,
or surprize you, or shock you, or howeverit makes you feel.............to me
thats the beauty of self expression.......it is all ones' own, noone can say
that u are right or worng for feeling the things you feel or for following your
heart or even your impulses(Im talking within reason of course) and as we explore
and discover what we like and don't like, tolerate and wont, it leads us to
a closer understanding of just where we stand in the world, but MORE importantly
in our OWN induvidual lives...........
I try to honor, what my heart tells me and then at least at the end of the night
when it's only me, my pillow and my dreams, I can sleep soundly and if , for
some reason I can't.........then its time to make a change!!!!
To life, to understanding, to the search!!!
Spread luv
A. Keys
p.s. the only way you know its officially me is if its here!
pps. Many thanks for all your support and votes and enthusiasm! Y'all are the
BEST!!!
Mon July 29, 2002 3:27:37 PM
Everytime I try to write of late, its been acting alittle funny.........Ive
been writting these big involved entries pouring over and into them, and then
I go to send them and AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! they tell me I have an incorrect
something and they wont send, Oh man, so defeated:-) I turn off my damn computer
and figure that the next time when it works will be a better time to send out
some words because obviously those times weren't inline with the heavens:-)
I ve been wanting to write about the different shows, since we've last talked,
but for now, unfortuntalely, I must go, I just wanted you to know Ill be back
2 remember and build on the things we must and desire to discuss;-)
I got sum hot Ole school Joints Id love to share too.......
talk to you momentarily
AK
Mon July 15, 2002 1:48:57 PM
ps.
If your looking for fan Club info
write to:
Alicia Keys Fan Club
156 W 56th st
Nyc 10019 4th flr
U will recieve a way to join, it takes alittle while because the tour is in
high gear and I'm direclty involved so the first ones will be sent out in august.
It seems far but its actually pretty close, so send em in and become apart of
the underground movement....
also, starting in Jones Beach and then after at selected venues there will be
a table set up where you can directly join and get some special surprizes as
a part of joining.....intrigued????? goood!!!!:-)
Look out for it
talk to you soon
AK
Mon July 15, 2002 1:37:28 PM
Ok,
I think I'm getting alittle addicted to this thing. But hey, Imma look at it
like a make up for all the times that it took me three million years to write...
I wanna give a quik shout to those whose messages i read that are feeling alittle
down, alittle lost, that are trying to deal with things that aren't easy to
cope with....
youre not alone, and as much as it hurts it will lesson...eventually.
Just the action of searching for understanding, for God, for anything, will
lead you where your heart desires.........just looking for peace will give you
peace, looking for goodness will give you goodness, looking for understanding
will lead you to understanding!
I'm here with you......
always,
A.Keys
Sun July 14, 2002 10:29:54 PM
I've been able to read some of your thoughts and things on the message board...ive
had soo much fun rockin with yall....And I will keep on....
but theres one thing I want to address, just because it's on my mind and to
show my appreciation.....
I do this becuase I Love it
beacuase i feel a joy from playing and singing and meeting and being touched(spiritually)by
you and hopefully touching you as well in some way.
I do it becuase We have a lot to say and I hope I'm able to say not only what
I feel inside, but some of what you feel inside.
If I was to get on stage and judge myself by the thunder of applause I recieve,
I would be setting myself up for disaster. That is not my motive and that is
not why I do this.....
I will continue 2 follow my heart
and the love and support and inspriation we give back and forth to each other,
my true and undeniable Family and friends, is all I need
If others don't get it
Its not for them to get!!!!;-)
Thank you soo much for your caring, your generous spirit, and your love
AK
Sun July 14, 2002 9:28:17 PM
Yes, yes, Yall!
lemme tell you how I took it bac on Friday.......We were able to have a lil
day off complete with BBQ and all, and it was super hot out, no pool, but it
didn't matter, why did we go out and get a SLIP & SLIDE!!!!!LOL it was mad
funny, the first time(me tryna be the one to set it off) I ran all the way from
the back of the yard and instead of sliding on my belly(like you SHOULD) I ran
untill I stepped on the slippery part and ended up sliding while I not so graciously
bumped my head!!OWWWWWWW:-( it did kinda hurt, I can't front, but it was toooo
funny!!!! The rest of the day, I did it the right way and had a ball slippin
and slidin, even got some cats up from the spades table(THATS RIGHT!!!!BABYYYY)
Just good ole, summer fun.........I love the summer! How many times have I said
that already???
Then We went on the CT which was a bangin show, energy high!Unfortunately it
wasn't in an amphitheater which is becoming my favorite places to perform, but
it didn't matter cause it was so much fun. I ended up running late that nite
and so my hair was like half done as I'm running to the stage to make it by
the time the curtain opens, then during the whole first half of the show my
shirt was trying to give me a little problem and I felt like every move i made
it slipped down further and further. which I'm sure the guys in the front row
would have loved, but it made me pretty uncomfortable..........At least there
leaves no room for boredom! I fixed it asap and all was well and finally calm
again, at least my mind was settled cause the audience was ANYTHING but calm!!!
Yall are the best! I love how you come out to have good time. Theres nothing
better cause then we have fun together and it makes it unforgettable! I truly
have nuthin but love for ya!
Now I'm in Nyc(HOME sweet home) doing some shows in Jersey and then in JOnes
Beach, which is a place Ive always wanted to perform. I saw Lauryn Hill there
a coupla years ago And I will never forget that show! so to be there.......is
gonna be a beautiful trip
But first Homedell here we come!!!!
Am I rambling or what???:-)
A.Keys
Fri July 12, 2002 1:11:59 AM
Hey,
Here I am in Boston day # 2....All I kept saying tonite was, "Theres nothing
like a Boston crowd" And it's True!!!! the show toaday and Yesterday was
off the chain!!! and sooooo much fun!!! I'll come back to Boston ANYTIME!
There's something about the summer, the way the wind blows, the breeze, the
sun on your face, the energy in the air. It Just makes you feel good, reminds
me of all the beauty that can be found in life, if we just look.
Anyway today I had a bangin bowl of clam Chowder and just was vibin on that
paragraph up there:-)............U c, I'm diggin Boston!!!
Ct is next, and i can't wait for the rest, its on Yall, Lets have a Bangin summer!!!!
One love
Ak
Fri July 5, 2002 2:42:12 PM
P.S.
MILWAUKEE IS OFFICIALLY OFF THE CHAIN!!!!!YALL R THE BOMB!!!
can't wait for the rest!!
:-)
You-know-who
Fri July 5, 2002 2:39:28 PM
Been thinking so much lately about not looking back!!!
You know, this life leads us in so many unexpected directions, or deals us cards
that we have to figure out what to do with. I just notice how so many times
we expect oursleves to be flawless. Nobody is flawless! for some reason we beat
ourselves up if what we planned didn't go right, or what we tried didn't happen
the way we envisioned it........and that is not fair for us to do that to ourselves.
Those test that are put in our paths are there, to define us, show us what we're
made of, and give us the opportinity to learn from it and change or adjust.
Therefore, I've realized that there is no "Wrong" when one truly tries
to do something right. It is not in vain, and it does not go without serving
a greater purpose. So All we can do is keep moving forward, and look back on
those days of lessons as what made us, molded us, created us, and continue to
inspire us to be greater.
We haven't even BEGUN to touch the tip of our greatness!!!
And just thinking bout the 4th, about independence, about freedom, (and reading
a beautiful poem)
I realize that it is true, one part of freedom is the chance to change....
1luv, 1 life
AK
Tue July 2, 2002 2:47:26 AM
Hey!
Today is my first show for the tour.........I'm here in milwaukee and it's burnin
up!!!! just like the show is gonna be!!!! (speakin of burnin up I love that
faith song!!!!) ohhhh man..........r u gonna be there???
I gotta get that chat back up, or at least the place were you can wirte letters,
I don't like not being able to talk to you, and hear what your saying.
It's kind of like a one sided conversation......Thats no fun, we need to be
able to talk!
well, short and to the point, nothin wrong with that huh???
can't wait to see some of you tomm, after that, New orleans( I lovve the food
out there) then detroit( OHHH Yeaaaaaaaaaa)
man oh man, ain't nuttin better than the summer!
rock wit me
love is love
AK
Fri June 21, 2002 6:17:45 PM
Hey,
I'm sitting here, just thinking. Working on the tour and writing alot, have
you been writing lately? even just in a book that helps you get things off your
chest?? I know the world can sometimes be a heavy weight on ones shoulders.
It's nice to have something or someone 2 help you release it.
Ive decided to put the chat back up. I really like it when you write back to
me, and I can hear your thoughts or even have a way to communicte while your
writing, probably will be hooked up by next week......
the tours already starting next week and I can't believe how fast time flys!
This go round is gonna be super hot, cause not only is it summer now, (which
always seems to make things better for some reason:-) but most of the venues
are outdoors so its gonna be like a big picnic. bring your food, your blankets,
and were gonna just fly away 2 a whole other world for a good 2 hours. Theres
gonna be some real cool people going on tour with me and what makes it even
more fun is how each place will see a different show, so there will never be
a dull moment! plus I've added some new things.............ohhhhh sounds intriguing
huh???:-)
Stay tuned and i'll keep u updated on the acts that'll b with me.......
on a another note I have my Fan Club up and running and its like the bomb beacuse
I'm completely involved in it meaning, its not like one of those big corporations
handling evrything and I really don't see anything!!! I didn't want it to go
down like that, so were doing it str8 ole school.......we have the hot package
when you join and good ways 2 keep in touch and for you to know 1st whats really
goin down and for us to stay connected in a more personal way.........I'm really
diggin it!
So if you wanna be a part of the my fan club write to:
Alicia Keys Fan Club
156 w 56th st 4th flr
New York, ny 10019
I'm looking forward to hearing from yall, and also seeing you during the tour
Let's make it HOT this summer!!!!!!
1 luv yall, always searching, never stopping
your girl, Alicia
Thu May 30, 2002 4:32:18 PM
YEs,Yes Yall!
I'm Baaaaaaaccccccc! You see, I decided to take some time for myself, to just
reflect, to hear my mind, my thoughts, listen to music(ALL kinds, Quincy JOnes,
Dinah Washington, FELA Kute, Nirvana, Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Killa Priest)
I mean can you FEEL me!:-) I was Zoning out. I read, Alice Walker, DH Lawrence,
Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, just zonin Out! For the first time in my ENTIRE
Life I was alone with my own thoughts, my own Noise in my own head, my own desicions
and choices beacause I had no other opinion to affect my own, my own silences
in my own space.............It was truly a remarkable and eye opening experience.
I Have to say, even if I can only make it to my bathroom to be alone, I promise
myself the time to hear my thoughts, to breath, to focus or re focus..........It
really leads you to a whole new understanding of yourself and those around you.........It's
a beautiful Thang!!!! Can Ya'll FEEl me!!!
Alicia
ps. But now I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacccccccccccc and it's ON!!(hehe)
Tue May 7, 2002 1:34:05 AM
HEy Hey HEy! YEs,Yes, Yall I'm very happy we got this new site up....Was definetly
time for a change.
I'm in Chicago right now, Headed out to philly in the morn(waaaaaayy to early
for my personal taste:-), but it's all good)
I just got back from Japan!, Which was pretty wild. I'm really diggin the history
and the people and the culture and the technology and the way the new can co
exsist with the old in a sense. I took the bullet train, which is one of the
fastest trains in the world if not the fastest, to Kyoto, And boy oh boy was
that unforgettable. Imagine that, I girl like me, able to see this other part
of the world with so much culture, and Zen Gardens and temples, where monks
pracitise, It just shows me that anything is possible, even those things that
you don't even quite imagine in your head! WOW! Life is limitless.........believe
it or not.
I'm about to gear up for this second half of the tour......Oh YEA! Hope yall
ready cuz its gonna be something serious! As much as I have learned...I'm ready
to continue makin it hot....Especially the way YALL been reppin! YALL are the
best! hootin and holla"in and we just have so much fun together. I'm really
excited about that. Thn were even looking into an international tour........Oh
my GOODNESS thats gonna be sick!!!!I love experiencing places that speak different
languages but you still can relate, to those basic, raw, real emotions....we
are are so much the same, when it REALLY comes down to it........
I really have like amillion things to say, since its seems like it's been awhile
since we spoke, But I'll have to come bac tommorrow and finish. I played myself
stayin up till 430 am workin on some new joints, and had to get up at 6am and
have been going ever since, so I'm about to turn the lights out and quiet my
brain for a coupla hours.:-)
but before I go, tell me, how you been? hows life treatin ya?
Much luv to you, All of my extended fam.....We'll talk soon
I'm gonna brush my teeth to this hot ass remix of how come you don't call me
I did with the neptunes:-)......WE had mad fun workin on it....
1luv, 1life, 1people
A.K.
Fri February 1, 2002 1:31:00 AM
FAMILY!!!!! Wuz up???? Its been a min. it always amazes me how time passes,
its almost surreal. In some ways incredibly fast, in others extrememly slow........needless
to say, here it is February 1st already.........HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! New year,
new time, new choices, new chances, new U. Thats what I love about the new year!!!
Seize it!
I just got home today, for a quick second. I'm doing my first ever Radio City
Music Hall show tommorrow and I'm BUGGIN!!!! In a good way! Im just soooo excited
to be home in a place Ive always dreamed of performing, that is truly a blessing,
something that I will NEVER take for granted.
The tour started on January 22nd in Conecticut, and since then we've been to
Philly, DC, Boston, Cleavland, Toronto, and now tomorrow New York....Its been
amazing!!! Ya'll have been coming through with so much love and energy, and
support and I feel like were just in my livingroom or something talkin sh*t
and having a good time!!! :-) It's been FAntastic! and I thank you for being
there with me, through this........once again, I will NEVER take that for granted!!!!!!
Believe me
Well, I know this is kinda short but I gotta try to get a little rest, just
wanted to holla and let you know what's been going on and of course to see whats
been going on with yall! so we'll talk soon, gotta go call my man before he
thinks I don't love him anymore =)
stay strong, stay true to yourself, keep searching.........
1 luv
A. Keys
Tue December 25, 2001 7:14:00 PM
Hey! Here it is Christmas, and here I am able to be with the people that I really
love and that I know really love me, thats the most beautiful thing about the
holidays, it really doesn't matter what you celebrate, its more who u celebrate
it with that makes it magical and/or unforgetable!
Me?, Im just happy to be home for a quick second, happy to be able to spread
some love to the fam(you) and just feeling blessed for another day alive. I
know that these times are sometimes hard, especially if you've recently lost
someone or if your feeling alone, but know that everyday is a new day, for the
taking, for the healing, for the learning.....and were all blessed for that!
SO......... what 's been going down? I've been on the road straight for the
entire month of December, in fact I just got bac Christmas eve, but Ive been
able to pass through some unbelievable cities and meet some amazing and, energetic
people, (I have to admit that Pittsburg, and Hawaii were the livest!!!), but
even beyond that, the thing that amazes me the most about every place that I
go, is that it is never the same, I'm tellin you, that every time I perform
its truly a new experience even for me! I react immediately off of you, and
everytime that brings something new out of me, and I thank you for the challange..........I
have to admit its very exciting!!!:-), I truly appreciate yall...for your understanding,
your support, your respect.......and I'm not a person whose gonna keep that
to myself, to my benifit or detrament I'm very vocal about what I feel , so
I just wanted to let yall know how much U inspire me....
plus, Ive finally got this dagon laptop, so hopefully I'll be able to write
more often, nonetheless, I'm always here, in spirit, in mind, even if not in
body..........
I want to wish everyone a beautiful holiday, filled with things you love, things
that make you want to be more, things that make you strive for greatness......I
pray that the year coming will bring us answers to the questions and more questions
that need answering!!! Love always hoping for......1 luv
A.Keys
Mon November 5, 2001 1:06:00 PM
Well.....have I been away to long?
I feel like I have, everyday I say, "I have to write" but I never
seem to be in the right place.
some people write me and say that they are having trouble logging on or joining
the site, and just now I was trying to read the most recent emails written and
I couldnīt figure out how to get there for nuthin! but oh well, Iīll figure
it out, and Iīm gonna call some people to find out why certain things are made
so difficult on this site. Itīs all good though, just wanted you to know I know
how you feel.
Man o man! Iīm actually in Spain right now( I can barely belive it)
Iīve been in Europe for 2 weeks now and this was the only place where Iīve really
gotten to see anything, because I had 2 days off......Sh*t I havenīt had 2 days
off in I donīt know how long so it was truly a pleasure to spend the time here
and look around at a place Iīve NEVER been before! Itīs beautiful here, so full
of history and culture. In these 2 weeks Iīve been to Paris, Sweden, Italy,
London, and on wednesday im going to Germany and then Holland and then Iīll
be home.......I havenīt been home in a long time and I miss it, howīs everybody
holdin up through everything thats going on? good I hope, keepin your heads
up to the sky and praying and searching for answers to all the questions, weīre
the youth, and itīs up to us to inqure and make the difference and set the standards
for how we want our life and our future to be...........it is a confusing time
though, nomatter what, just growing up is confusing let alone all these changes
in the world. But were strong......and nothing will change that, only prove
it more.
A lot of people ask me if Iīm scared to fly or they wonder why Iīm in Europe
when so many people have cancelled going anywhere, but I feel almost the need
to see whats going on in other parts of the world, I mean I have the American
perspective, but you know itīs like we all get caught up in our side of the
world and forget that virtually everybody is so similar no matter where they
live. We get so caught up in what seperates us that we forget to remember what
unites us. We are humans...shouldnīt that be enuf to love and protect one another?
I think so, but it appears that the people who are in the most powerful positions
get caught up only on the dollar sign, leaving life and respect last and the
least important, but I refuse to believe that, that is not the most important
and will NEVER be!
You are my brothers, my sisters and my friends and we wonīt give up on each
other.........stick with me.......as I will you
Keys
Wed September 19, 2001 3:20:00 PM
Hey Yall.....Man, its been a minute, since we've been able to talk...and a lot
has been going on, alot! yall know what I mean, first the VMA's and the award
that I was honored, thrilled to recieve, I thank yall for all the love and votes
and all that good stuff..but then a couple a days later as I was about to be
on my way to D.C. all the madness broke loose, I was in N.y and watched my hometown
crumble in front of my face...it was the strangest realization, just about life
and how short it is, how unexpected it is, first with Aalyiah, and all those
on the plane with her, and then with the attack on this country, I don't know..it
just gets you to thinking....like life is soo much more than the physical, so
much more than the B.S. that we get caught up with..we all do...it made me think
sooo many things!!!!
I hope every1's family is safe and sound, I pray for that, and for anybody that
we lost..I pray for them to.....it puts everything in pespective and, fortunately,
it can bring us together, it can make us see each other beyond our differences,
there are no lines really, just imaginary ones that are used to seperate us.....I
don't know, I just felt like I wanted too pow wit yall....talk cause...., were
all in this together.
Well, I'm on this bus...travelling from Orlando to North Carloina, wanting to
still spread the music, spread the love, spread sumpthin!! and come to yall
and give you what you've given to me, support, kindness, so many things......After
the shows, when I get the chance to meet y'all, I feel so inspired, yall inspire
me and make me feel blessed. I love to see yall faces, to see your eyes, to
see your hearts, your spirits, and it makes me want to write more, continue
to talk about this life we live..this eternal struggle that we will conquer,
that we will survive, this that makes life so amazing and beautiful....and I
jus want ya'll to know I'm here even when it takes awhile for us to talk, and
we are here together...so lets make the best of it.....
Always,
A.Keys
Fri August 24, 2001 1:53:00 PM
WUZ UP??? I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE BECAUSE I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME MISINFORMATION
ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN I'M GOING TO PERFORM AND IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME THAT
YOU BOUGHT TICKETS THINKING I WAS GOING TO BE THERE AND I WASN'T; I'M SORRY.
I'M GOING TO HAVE MY PEOPLE UPDATE MY APPEARANCES SO THAT EVERY1 CAN HAVE THE
RIGHT INFORMATION CAUSE I DON'T WANT YA'LL SPENDIN YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AND
THN BE DISSAPPOINTED........SO I'M GONNA HAVE THAT TAKEN CARE OF TODAY, OTHER
THAN THAT, HOW YA BEEN? I'M GOOD, I'M BLESSED AND JUS TAKIN IT ONE DAY AT A
TIME. LEARNING MORE AND MORE EVERYDAY. BUT THAT'S LIFE ISN'T IT? CHOICES, DESICIONS
AND CONCLUSIONS. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT, CAUSE
THERE ARE ENUF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO TRY TO HOLD YOU DOWN, PUT YOU DOWN, WHATEVER,
BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THOSE PEOPLE MEAN NOTHING AND OBVIOUSLY THEY JUST DON'T
FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES, SO INSTEAD OF GETTIN MAD, WE SHOULD PRAY FOR THEM,
PRAY THAT THEY LEARN TO LOVE THEMSELVES SO THEY CAN LOVE OTHERS.
I'VE BEEN ABLE TO READ SOME OF YOUR EMAILS AND IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE WHAT YOU
THINK AND FEEL. SOMEOME ASKED ME WHAT TO DO TO FOR CREATIVITY, I MEAN EACH PERSON
IS DIFFERENT, BUT I WOULD SAY JUST KEEP WRITING CONSTANTLY, EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE
NOTHING TO WRITE ABOUT, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU THINK IT'S SILLY, JUS WRITE
BEACUSE EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE HOW YOU WROTE IT, PLUS
TAKE THINGS DIRECTLY FROM YOUR LIFE OR THINGS THAT REALLY MAKE YOU FEEL SOMETHING,
EVEN IF YOU NEVER SHARE IT WITH ANYONE BECUASE SOMETIMES IT'S EASIER TO WRITE
HONESTLY ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW; AND LISTEN AND STUDY PEOPLE'S SONGS THAT YOU LIKE
AND SEE WHAT IT IS ABOUT THEM, THE STRUCTURE; THE WAY IT WAS PUT TOGEHTER THAT
YOU LIKE, I THINK THAT MAY HELP, IT HELPS ME........I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL
THE GENUINE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE STARTED FAN CLUBS,FOR PEOPLE TO CONGREGATE
AND BUILD, I APPRECIATE YOU EVEN WANTING TO TAKE THE TIME TO DO THAT!
THE NEXT SINGLE IS GOING TO BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS ON THE ALBUM........."A
WOMANS WORTH" THE VIDEO IS GOING TO BE SHOT IN THE BEGGINNING OF SEPTEMBER...IT
TOOK US A WHILE TO GET A DATE THAT WAS GOING TO WORK BUT NOW WE HAVE IT AND
I LOOOVE THE IDEA FOR THE VIDEO, CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE IT..............SOME
ONE ASKED ME ABOT TRUST, TRUST IN THIS BUSINESS; I MEAN TRUST PERIOD TAKES TIME,
YEARS OF CONVERSATION AND PROOF FROM EXPERIENCE, TRUST IS SOMTHING SPECAIL THAT
YOU CAN'T GIVE EVERYONE, BUT YOU CAN TO THOSE THAT YOU PROVE TO THEM THEY CAN
TRUST YOU AND THEY PROVE TO YOU THE SAME........
ANYWAY, I'M DOING THE SHOW AT CITY CENTER TONIGHT AND THE THEATRE AT MADISON
SQUARE GARDEN(WHICH TRIPS ME OUT EVERYTIME I SAY IT:-) AND THEN I'M GONNA BE
OFF TO THE LADY OF SOUL AWARDS, I CAN'T WAIT, THEY HAVE SUPPORTED ME FROM DAY
ONE AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR THEM, AND YOU KNOW YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT,
I TRULY WILL ALWAYS SHOW LOVE TO THOSE THAT SHOW LOVE TO ME, I THANK YOU AGAIN
FOR ALL YOUR GENEROSITY AND BEING GENUINE, THERE'S NOTHING MORE SPECIAL TO ME
THAN REAL PEOPLE...........MANY BLESSINGS. MUCH LOVE, HOPE TO SEE YA IN A CITY
NEAR YOU:-)
RESPECTFULLY
A. KEYS
Fri August 17, 2001 12:33:00 PM
Ok Ok ok.........I'm tryna get it togetha ya'll. bout to get a laptop so I can
keep in betta contact...but it's all good! So it's bout to start YALL!!!!!!!
The tour!!!!!!!! Its gonna be crazy!!!! tonights the first night at Roseland
and I can't wait.......I hope ya'll gotcha some tickets, if you could.....if
not it's all good I will be near you soon, I thank you for all your wonderful
words. All of you that are dreaming of what you are aspiring to be, believe
me, with time and effort, and focus you will get what you deserve, I believe
in you, keep your heart generous, that is what I try to do. Ive been getting
some wonderful mail from what sounds like some incredible and creative musicians,
I looove it!!!!!!!!! keep your head up, no matter what you do.
Ive also been getting some mail from people in far away places , I love hearing
from you and my Homegirl in Iowa, I have to admit that I don't think that it
is on the schedule for this tour, but I will keep that in mind because I want
to come to places that are not always travelled roads.......I hope you are able
to make one of the others, if not....then I will see you soon...
and for my lil mama who needed the words for butterflyz:
Laely when I look into your eyes
I realize
your the only one I need in my life
Baby I just don't know
how to describe
how lovely you make me feel inside
You give me butterflyz
got me flyin so high in the sky
I can't control the butterlyz
It seemed like the likely thing
from the start you told me
I would be your queen
but never
had I imagined such a feeling
joy is what you bring
I want to give you everything
Chorus
You and I
Are destiny
I know now
you were made for me
Chorus out........
I have so much love for ya'll!!!!!!!!!!1
see you at the shows, or wherever our paths may cross..........
One love
A. Keys
Thu August 9, 2001 10:44:00 AM
Hey! Ive been trying to write for the past 2 days and everytime I logged on
it wouldn't let me in. But Ive been thinking about yall, hoping your good and
keeping your heads up. I'm sorry that I have to be kind of fast I'm doing some
radio stations and stores in chicago all day today and tommorrw, and also performing
at a club called E2 here in Chi-town so if you live here come through, my dawg
Jimmy Cozier is gonna be there 2!!!
I'll also be in Philly on saturday so I hope some of yall can come through there....full
band and everything its gonna be bananas!!!!!!!!!!!! Well I hope to read some
of the mail you sent tonite and then i'll be able to answer some more direct
questions, and we'll be able to talk longer, just wanted to let yall know that
your always on my mind and appreciated...................much love till next
time
A. Keys
Mon July 30, 2001 2:07:00 AM
Ok this is crazy!!!!!!! I've now written 3 times in one day, but if the spirit
moves you................
I've finally figured out how to read your messages, so I've just come back from
reading at least 30 of them and plan to read more, but I thought that it would
be nice to answer some questions that were asked.......I like reading what you
guys write and I wanna show you that I will answer so I hope you come here to
see what they are and hopefully they are what you wanted to know about. OK....Ahem........:-)
there has been a real last name issue. Really alot of people have many names,
but the name that they go with is the one that they feel the most comfortable
with and that defines them the best..........Keys is the one that does that
for me, it defines me, it is me, and it is mine.............
I plan to work on a new album relatively soon, I have so many songs in the ":vault"
that I look at my second album as half finished, I also have plans to do a live
album which should be fun.........any place that is not posted on news for where
I'm perfoming...belive me we will eventually get there, even after the maxwell
tour I will be continuing to tour, performing is one of my favorite sides of
this so we have many many years and many many cities to go........Yes, my good
friend Jimmy Cozier's album is in stores now and we had fun working together
on Mr. MAn. He is an excellent songwriter and it's nice to collaborate with
someone that you admire what they do......I hope ya'll are enjoying Mr.Man.........
I started playing keys when I was seven.......and began writing when I was about
12(although then they may not have been the best of songs..hehe)...... I've
always been a writer, I just found that it is one of the best ways for me to
be truthful with myself and express what I'm feeling. Life and it's experiences
is what makes me write..anything that I can realate to, or makes my heart happy,
sad, burn, etc makes me write. It works the best for me this way, and there
is no formula, when it comes it comes, in whatever form and I take it from there............Now
there has been a nasty rumor that has been going around, and mostly I don't
choose to address rumors because there will always be one, always be someone
trying to spread lies about you, I guess they have nothing better to do, but......
I am NOT gay, and I am not addressing this because I have anything to prove,
because I KNOW what I am!!!! and that is a woman who looooves men, real men,
truthful, honest, and caring men.....I address this because a lot of people
have been asking about it and I wanted to set the record str8!!! so that Rumor
is officially BOGUS.....its dead......& lets move on..........Finally the
second video will be for "A WOMANS WORTH" the video should be out
by the end of September...were shooting it at the end of August, I can't wait
for this single to drop, its a song I deeply love and try to remember everyday!!
In fact next time I write Ill let you know the story behind it..............until
then, keep writing, stay beautiful and we will talk soon............
Truthfully yours,
A. Keys
Mon July 30, 2001 12:53:00 AM
And another thing............now you know this is the only place that U can
talk to me, and get REAL messages from me.............Any other site that tries
to act like there is a message directly from me is LYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so don't
beleive it!!!!!!
I'll be checking the mail you send to alicia_keys@aliciakeys.net
and answering as many as I can over this.........so come here to see responses,
but don't forget, there's no way I can answer ALL of them, but I will answer
as many as I can, also if you have an ideas for the site that you think would
make it better... let me know.....
Respect,
Alicia Keys
Sun July 29, 2001 9:06:00 PM
Wuz up yall!!!!!!!!!!! Its been a minute since we've been able to speak. There
have been some minor changes made, but a least there will be no misunderstanding
of whether or not it is really me posting...... now its me and it will always
be me........... I'm about to get a lap top so that I can post you guys as often
as possible and let you know personally what is going on........... and if look
on these boards you will see that the moderater left some instructions on how
to contact me.
Well, everything has been so amazing, with your support(I really credit you
guys) the album has been # 1 in the country for 4 weeks!! that is something
that I truly never even dreamed of, but your support has made even more than
I dreamed come true, I'm HONORED!!......... I'm trippin about this whole Video
Music Award nomination....;-) but its pretty damn cool!!!!!! Me and the team
are putting together a HOT show, something special for the VMA's..so definetly
check for it!!!!! plus I'm getting ready to go on my first tour with Maxwell
and beleive me when I tell you thats gonna be BANANA"S!!!!!!!!! there's
certain firsts that are crazy exciting and this is one of them for me.......for
real!!!! I hope that I come to your city and you get a chance to come through
to the show..........
Also, I'm posting some of the lyrics...I know a lot of ya'll have already written
down some of them, but here's just incase a word or 2 were wrong :-)(maybe I'll
even post what made me write the song..)
Anyway, I'll be back to talk soon, I just wanted to come on and say Hi, so that
you know I'm always thinking about ya'll!!!! and I haven't nor will I ever forget
you............. send me some mail at the address the moderater left you and
we'll be talking soon.......
Much Love
Alicia Keys