Alicia Keys Drafts Drake for "Freedom" Album

Alicia Keys Drafts Drake For 'Freedom' Album
Newsroom | Posted on 11/16/09 | Filed Under: R&B News, Alicia Keys


Alicia Keys' decision to move back her album due to great music may have something to do with Drake.

According to longtime Keys' collaborator Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers, Keys has logged time in the studio with the "Best I Ever Had" rapper/singer.

"Wow this new Ak and Drake is fire! I love my job," Brothers wrote on Twitter over the weekend.

Later writing what could end up on a song, Brothers wrote "If you have something to say... U should say it right now".

Keys' forthcoming album "The Element of Freedom" was due December 8 but has since been moved back to December 15.

Announcing the slight pushback, Keys wrote "Luv having the freedom to create beautiful music, so I’m pushing the album back to DEC 15th... So many more amazing songs!!!," on Twitter.

"The Element of Freedom" also follows the release of the now Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs no.1 charting single "Empire State of Mind" (Jay-Z).

Andy Anh Ha

I first discovered this artist while visiting a friend of mine, Lisa. She had these amazing pieces in her apartment that really caught my attention. I asked her about the artist and turns out, he was actually a friend she had known while living in Tennessee. I love his work and every piece is hand made by the artist himself. I was impressed...Here is some information about him that I took of his website: www.andyanhha.com


Andy Anh Ha

I studied arts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There, I graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Media Arts. I was born and raised in Nashville, TN and moved to Los Angeles after schooling. My paintings vary in style as so do the artists I am influenced by. I appreciate the arts from the Renaissance period to contemporary works. Artists that are influential include Rembrandt, Picasso, and Warhol. The outcome of my paintings would be labeled under mixed media. I tend to use a variation of styles, techniques, and mediums. Presently, my main focus is lotus flowers. The words I choose to place on these series relate to the beliefs of the mystical lotus flower, which to my understanding is "creative power and purity amid adverse surroundings." Words such as "able" relate to the circumstances in which the lotus blossoms in muddy swamps, yet maintains its integrity and beauty. This concept is similar to the saying "The rose that grew from concrete." The font is hand stenciled onto contact paper, carefully cut out, and painted over. For the finish, I have chosen to use some form of varnish. Depending on the message and feel of the individual piece, either polyacrylic and/or resin are applied. The outcome is design oriented with a painterly feel. I believe in an overall balance. The layout is influenced by my eastern culture, very simple but strong. The technique I use comes from my education. I love art. Thanks for reading.


THESE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITES! GO TO HIS SITE TO SEE MANY MORE!

Tasha Reid (Yoon Mi Rae) - "Black Happiness"

My friend Denyce Lawton tweeted and sent me a link to this amazing Korean/Black rapper, Tasha Reid (Yoon Mi Rae). I was really impressed by what she was saying in her lyrics. This really touched my heart and I can now say that I am now a fan of hers! The personal message in the music is what captured me -- I love honest music. Let me know what you think! Thanks Denyce!!!




* Black Happiness by Tasha

My skin was dark from my past
People used to point at me
Even at my mom Even at my dad who was black, and in the army
People whisper behind my back
Said this and said that
I always had tears in my eyes
Although I was young
I saw my mother's sadness

Everything
seemed like it was my fault
Because of my guilt
I washed my face everytime during the day
With my tears I melt the white soap
I always hated my dark skin
why O why
Does the world judge me
When I hate the world
I close my eyes

I put my soul into the music my father gave me
I feel the volume
And fly higher and higher
Far away
la musique

(When I hate the world)
(Music soothes me)
(you gotta hold on)
(and love yourself)
(When I hate the world)
(Music raises me up)
(so you gotta be strong)
(you gotta hold on)
(and love yourself)

Time passed and I was thirteen
My skin was dark brown
Music doesn't judge color
They give me light
I lead my music
We lean on eachother
I don't feel lonely
Then one day
I was given a chance
I held on to my microphone

And suddenly I was on stage
I say goodbye to music and ask it to come back
Then I became nineteen
I have to lie
I put white makeup over my face
They told me to wear a mask
They said my mom's race was okay
But not my dad's
Every year my age was nineteen
During times when time stopped

I felt like I was in jail
And I leaned on myself
I spent endless, painful days
I ignored their warnings
And because I missed music
I tried to escape
But no, I got caught
I prayed all night
And now I'm free