Unless youРІР‚в„ўve been living under a chunk of heliodor for the past two decades, youРІР‚в„ўve likely been lifted by one of KeysРІР‚в„ўs many female-empowering anthems. РІР‚СљI think women are held to higher standards because we are that much more important to the human race.РІР‚Сњ РІР‚СљOh, we arenРІР‚в„ўt having that kind of date now, are we?РІР‚Сњ she quips, gently placing the rock back. The store owner politely informs us of its price tag: $27,500. As she studies the museum-quality treasures with laser intention, she makes a joke about this interview being РІР‚Сљour little date.РІР‚Сњ Just then a rare, virtually flawless heliodor-known for fending off bad vibes-stops her dead in her tracks.

Today sheРІР‚в„ўs makeup-free, sporting a simple braid and wearing plaid R13 pants, a white Wolford bodysuit, Chanel x Pharrell sneakers, large gold РІР‚СљAliciaРІР‚Сњ OG hoop earrings, and pink-lensed Stella McCartР’Вney shades. РІР‚СљI believe that the energy we surround ourselves with influences what happens around us.РІР‚Сњ Keys is holding a hunk of creativity-enhancing topaz. РІР‚СљIРІР‚в„ўm a crystal fanatic,РІР‚Сњ says the 38-year-old singer, looking around the store like a kid in a candy shop.

РІР‚В¦Or get your copy digitally viaР’В Zinio! 1 yearРІР‚в„ўs subscription = just Р’Р€1 4.Alicia Keys is literally-and figuratively-wearing rose-colored glasses as she enters Astro West Fine Minerals, Fossils, and Meteorites on ManhattanРІР‚в„ўs Upper West Side. Once I can teach myself that there is no perfect and that I am meant to have my FAULTS, that is when I become beautiful.Р”Р‡AULT MAGAZINE ISSUE 23 РІР‚вЂњ THE ARTР’В ISSUE РІР‚вЂњ IS AVAILABLE FOR ORDER NOW *FAULT MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY WORLDWIDE* So what that I have breakouts or so what that my knees are pudgy, there simply is no perfect. No one knows it all and I damn sure donРІР‚в„ўt know it all! I force myself toР’В look in the mirror and own who I am and to own MY beautiful. You canРІР‚в„ўt be happy unless you let yourself be vulnerable and make mistakes because weРІР‚в„ўre always evolving. There is no way to be perfect and no fun in being perfect. ItРІР‚в„ўs not real and itРІР‚в„ўs a word that tears us down. He set the bar so high that we all have something to strive for.Р”Р„licia Keys: IРІР‚в„ўm learning to try and let go of the word РІР‚СљperfectionРІР‚Сњ. No one can be Prince, heРІР‚в„ўs the only one but thatРІР‚в„ўs the beauty of him. He pushed himself and IРІР‚в„ўll never be as good as Prince but in a positive way. He was so fiercely dedicated to the greatness and expanded the level of excellence and thatРІР‚в„ўs what should always be maintained. He was definitely an enigma and will always remain that way. I feel like the whole world feels the same. I just canРІР‚в„ўt wait for people to hear it.Р”Р‡AULT: We recently lost Prince and who admired you enough to allow you to release a cover of his song and someone you inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame, did it come as a great shock?Р”Р„licia Keys: It was definitely a great shock and I am still taken aback. The desire to talk about it and discuss the inequality is there, and itРІР‚в„ўs definitely a theme for me and I have a desire to talk about it on this album and just go further. ThereРІР‚в„ўs so much to face and learn, so much still to be respected and so much equality still being withheld.

ThereРІР‚в„ўs so much to learn about what women go through and what women of colour go through and what womanhood just puts on you. I definitely created this album with real purpose and intention to talk about things IРІР‚в„ўve never talked about before.Р”Р‡AULT: YouРІР‚в„ўve always fought for respect through your music with tracks like РІР‚ВSuperwomanРІР‚в„ў or РІР‚СљA WomanРІР‚в„ўs WorthРІР‚в„ў, are you also touching on these issues in the album?Р”Р„licia Keys: I just feel women are the most magnificent species. As opposed to being too controlled and forced to make it something thatРІР‚в„ўs not. Being a proven singer and songwriter, did that give you more confidence and flexibility with this LP?Р”Р„licia Keys: I always feel confident in my ability to explore my vulnerability and to do something that IРІР‚в„ўve previously never done in hopes that it was going to take me somewhere.

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