The last time I saw my girl, Alicia Keys, live was about three years ago, at the Nassau Coliseum when she performed as guest star at Beyonce’s concert. Looking at her fully clothed, unlike Beyonce who let it all hang out, I couldn’t help but admired Alicia Keys for her saintly look and beauty. The audience responses were overwhelming; she actually stole the show from the ‘foxy’ Beyonce. This basically means female entertainers don’t have to dress like hustlers to make strong impact on the music audience. Surprisingly, despite her vast success, Alicia Keys has recently resulted to erotic dresses. Heck!! Who want to see your butt or boobs? We just want to listen to your good music. Those sexy dresses might have worked Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara and other ass-shakers but that is not you, Alicia babe.
(Upper picture reps the ‘bad girl’ Alicia. The below reps the ‘decent’ we used to know)
As if the half-naked dresses aren’t doing enough dents, now sweet Alicia Keys wants to become a modern day Black-Panther. AP reported that Alicia Keys is transforming her self from a romantic to political singer. “She now wears AK-47 chains on her neck,” the report said. She is being spurred by some ridiculous conspiracy spins, such as government encouraged the gangster rap conflict that killed two hip-hop greats, B.I.G and Tupac. Well, Ms. Keys, regardless of how many books you red or researches you have done; your government/gangster rap conspiracy theory is a nobrainer. I don’t think US Government or FBI gave rappers ammo to kill each others. At least, no authority gave Ice T, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre’s NWA mics or guns to start gangster rap. Back in the 80s, before gangster rap, there were hip-hop groups with clean lyrics. Thanks to the pioneers like SugarHill Gang, Grand Master Flash/Furious 5. Even the political rappers likes Chuck D and Public Enemy never rhythmed killing with guns or calling women hos.
The only conspiracy in hip-hop is the deliberate attempt in the industry to get violent, coupled with expletive lyrics to attract media attention. It is such strategy that made likes of Eminem, 50 cent, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and others became multi-millionaires today. I could go on this topic for hours; in short, the violence in hip-hop is self-inflicted, strategically plotted by the rappers and their promoters to draw attention and make money out of it.
Moreover, it’s good to remember that hip-hop music became fully “mainstream” after the death of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. So who are the reapers here? Consequently, P. Diddy, former B.I.G’s promoter became famous worldwide and currently on his way to becoming a billionaire. So, Alicia Keys ’sweetie’ wants us to believe that government is the gainer in the hip-hop game?
People don’t need Alicia Keys to use her music fame to teach about civil rights. Before she ever came to the surface of this planet, there had been great leaders such as late Dr. Martin Luther King, late Malcolm X, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and other who have been and still doing stellar jobs of fighting inequality. Without the struggles of these leaders, Obama wouldn’t have the courage to run for President office and most minority high-archivers wouldn’t have made it to the top of their careers today.
As it is said in the media that “Alicia Keys was born into the wrong era” because of the nature of her songs which sound so 1960ish – but I love it though. Perhaps, this is what prompted her to look at today’s struggle as if we were in the Black-Panther haydays. If Alicia Keys wants to join the civil right struggle, she would be better off donating money to the causes and be an occasional advocate rather than turning her concert(s) into political protest Arena.
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“Digging for facts is better mental exercise than jumping to conclusions.” – Bernard Baruch
UPDATE: Alicia Keys Quickly Back-pedals From Gangster Rap’s Conspiracy Theory. Read more. MSNBC>>
