Ya Heard: Alicia strikes a totally different ‘Key’

Dennis Winn/Columnist
Published: April 17, 2008

Earlier this week, reports of a controversial interview involving Alicia Keys and Blender Magazine surfaced. During the interview, Alicia revealed feelings on topics such as the killings of Tupac and Biggie Smalls and the origins of "Gangster Rap."

On the two hip-hop legends' demise, Keys stated their killings were an attempt "to stop another great black leader from existing." She also stated that she felt the United States government created "gangster rap" as a "ploy to convince black people to kill each other."

Surprising right? Well, Ms. Keys also reportedly wore a gold AK-47 pendant that symbolized "strength, power, and killing 'em dead," as she put it.

It seems Alicia may have gotten a hold of the same crazy juice that turned Lauryn Hill out.

Days after these excerpts of the interview were reported, Alicia phoned into Ryan Seacrest's Los Angeles radio talk show. Upon calling in, she stated, "I did want to clarify some statements because basically what happened was that I feel that I wasn't 100 percent clear on exactly what I was saying so it got slightly misinterpreted."

As for her reported opinion regarding the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, Keys stated that she felt that the media blew the East Coast-West Coast feud out of proportion.

"I think that what happens is that when other people are telling the story, I don't feel [Tupac and Biggie] were really able to communicate with each other and really tell each other what they meant." Keys told Seacrest. "Instead it kind of came through different outlets and different people and it might have gotten misconstrued or misinterpreted."

As for her opinion on the origins of "gangster rap," she stated, "Everyday people, as well as the government, could've really done so much more to really obliterate and eradicate the things that were going on in the communities."

As for my opinion, either drugs are really bad for your health, or we're beginning to be introduced to Ms. Key's "other" personalities.

All in all, Alicia told Seacrest she thinks the Blender Magazine interview came out great.

"I wasn't saying that I'm a conspiracy theorist," she continued. "I wasn't saying that I'm 'anti' anyone. Anybody who knows my character knows that I am a very positive person and my only aim is to uplift people and spread love."

The "killing 'em dead" part must have slipped her mind. That's the part I'm interested in hearing her explain.

THE COSBY SHOW?

Seventy-year-old Bill Cosby is just about ready to release his speaking album titled "Cosby Narratives Vol. 1: State of Emergency." The Cosby "Narratives" will feature the comedic legend speaking over the tunes of hip-hop, jazz, and pop music.

Comedy aside, Cosby will continue his crusade against negative ideologies in hip-hop music that he has been very vocal about in the past.

Bill "Spaceman" Patterson, a close associate of Cosby stated, "People started speculating, 'Is he going to rap about Jell-O Pudding Pops or what?' But he's always been involved in music and he was there for the first generation of spoken word. He has always understood rap's potential, but he was appalled by the foul language and the misogyny—the way people used a medium that could be used to elevate people, to open their eyes and provoke thought."

As for Cosby, he said, "The album is the opposite of what I think is the profanity for no particular reason, the misogyny for no particular reason. It really looks at the frustration and the anger that a young man may have."

I, for one, am excited about the album. I believe that it will, at the very least, be worth the listen. Come on, Cosby's album has to be more informative, thought provoking, and relevant than a number of other albums out there (ones I will not name).

I expect Cosby will be overly harsh of hip hop at times throughout the album, but I also expect him to drop some gems of advice as well. He's 70 for crying out loud. I admire the man for stepping up like this.

Now, I would be even more impressed if he mockingly wore a ridiculous amount of jewelry and included scantily clad women in his video. Go get 'em Dr. Huxtable!

FOXY RELEASEs TOMORROW, HOPEFULLY

MTV reported that Foxy Brown's manager, Chaz Williams, announced Foxy's release from jail is April 18.

Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, is nearing the end of a one-year stint at Riker's Island prison for a parole violation last summer. In January, she wrote the New York Supreme Court requesting an early release to seek proper medical attention for her sensor neural hearing loss.

In the request, Marchand wrote, "I ask you to please take into consideration that my health is in jeopardy. Yes, I've made some bad choices and stupid mistakes. But please understand that sitting in a prison with murderers and criminals is not rehabilitating or what I need to deal with my inner issues. ... Up until now, you've only heard about Foxy Brown the artist. I'd like to show you Inga Marchand the beautiful person that my mom raised me to be. Jail has shaken me to my core, and my time away has impacted me greatly."

On the music side of things, her upcoming album with Koch Records releases May 13.

HIP-HOP TRIVIA

Name the group that Dr. Dre was a part of prior to joining the group N.W.A.

Be the sixth person to send me an e-mail with the correct answer and receive two free AMC movie tickets courtesy of the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger … until next week, peace!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-400-8301 or .