R&B singer Alicia Keys is one of the music industries biggest musicians, who has been able to keep her personal life very quiet. Now in a new interview, fans and outsiders can see and feel another side of Ms. Keys. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter defends hip hop by telling Blender magazine: ââGangsta rapâ was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. âGangsta rapâ didnât exist.â Keys, 27, who wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck âto symbolize strength, power and killing âem dead,â is an avid reader of Black Panther autobiographies, according to an interview in the magazineâs May issue, on newsstands Tuesday. Another of her theories: That the bicoastal feud between slain rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. was fueled âby the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing.â Keysâ AK-47 jewelry came as a surprise to her mother, who is quoted as telling Blender: âShe wears what? That doesnât sound like Alicia.â Keysâ publicist, Theola Borden, said Keys was on vacation and unavailable for comment. Though sheâs known for her romantic tunes, she told Blender that she wants to write more political songs. If black leaders such as the late Black Panther Huey Newton âhad the outlets our musicians have today, itâd be global. I have to figure out a way to do it myself,â she said.
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