Alicia Keys is all about creating new ways to tell her story about the city she loves - New York, New York! Never shying away from putting music to her Big Apple experiences, Keys is about to open a new Broadway musical, HELL'S KITCHEN. While she's gotten help from Broadway veterans including choreographer Camille A. Brown and Tony-nominated director Michael Greif, you can bet that every note and lyric was written by Ms. Keys. Put this on your Broadway must-see list for sure!
This isn't all Alicia has been up to lately either. Along with husband Kasseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, the two avid art collectors are taking their collection to the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibition titled, GIANTS: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, will be on exhibit from February 10 - July 7, 2024. Keys and Dean have long been ardent advocates for Black artists and creatives, and have shown their support through the development of what has been called one of the most important collections of contemporary art.
Works from nearly 40 artists will be featured in this exhibit and include pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Amy Sherald, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley and the most works by Gordon Parks held by private collectors.
A trend seems to be growing among the hip-hop generation of appreciating and collecting Black art and arts institutions seem to be taking notice and making space. In fact, should you be in NY before February 4th, another rare Black collection is on view at the Brooklyn Museum; Spike Lee: Creative Sources is an immersive installation of objects from Lee's private collection, that tell a bit about what has inspired his creative offerings.