I know ya’ll out there sleeping on the new KK Mixtape! To anyone who’s got their CD already, tell us how you feel about it! Ya’ll already know Alicia Keys is jamming to it! Save some money and show your support for the Krucial Brothers. Go mow your neighboors lawn for some dough, if you a balla on a budget like myself! Please e-mail KruKeyzMe@aol.com for info on how to order the Mixtape. Much Love Family!

- DJ Fatal

Here’s a few songs that you will find on the cd:

Alicia Keys Ft. Krucial - Dragon Days (Harry Remix)
[ Click Here ] to Download

Alicia Keys Ft. Lloyd Banks And Krucial - If I Was Your Woman (Remix)
[ Click Here ] to Download

She’s a grammy-winning R&B artist and a native New Yorker. Now Alicia Keys has a new role - as travel correspondent for New York’s favorite newspaper. Keys is on a world tour, supporting her latest triple platinum album, “The Diary Of Alicia Keys.” She will be keeping her own travel diary, filing stories regularly from the road exclusively for Daily News readers. “Writing a travel column is definetly new from me, but I love the challenge,” she said. “It’s exciting to be able to report back to my homewtown.” Read Alicia’s first report - from the stunning resort of Dubai - in our Travel section today.

“By Alicia Keys NOTES FROM THE ROAD”

“Dazzled By Dubai”

When i recieved the invitation to visit Dubai, my first question was one of naivete: Where is it? Cany ou really blame me? I am just a city girl. Ask me where Chelsea Piers is, I can tell you. Ask me where the Cloisters are, I can tell you. But Dubai? That’s a whole ‘nother ball game.
After doing some investigation on my own, I determined the Dubai is a city of fortune and business in the United Arab Emirates-a small Middle Eastern country just across the Persian Gulf from Iraq, yet untouched by the wreckage and despair of war. I had only been painted a one-sided picture of the Middle East. But since I am a rebel at heart, as all city girls are, I accepted the invitation and off i went.

Getting there wasn’t easy. My band and I took a seven-hour flight from New York to London and then, after a two-hour layover, we took another seven hour flight. When we finally arrived at Dubai International Airport, we found ourselves in one the most beautiful airports I’ve ever passes through. Mahogany and shiny silver accents everywhere. Big stairs and elevators built as if they had a prince in mind, EVerything was just so. Immediately, I felt a difference - a certain respect for custom, for presentation and hospitality. We took about a 30- minute drive to the Shangri-La Hotel. Driving through the night, I couldnt see any landscape, but arriving at the hotel sure gave me a sense of the investment made in the hotel industry. Awaiting us were a welcoming committee and at leeast five secuirty men, I got out of the car feeling completely underdressed in my jeans and hat pulled low over my eyes.

They were nothing but gracious and led me up to my suite, which occupied the entire top floor of the hotel across from a small gym, pool and sunbathing area. When they openedthe doors to my suite for the first time, the vision was breathtaking. A 2-floor palatial beauty straight out of the pages of the best architectural design magazine. There were marble floors, silver accents, and large, floor-to cieling, dark wood doors covered with rich brown leather and huge silver handles.

Massive windows were everywhere and from the living room to the dining room was a long stretchof space you could do pirouettes across. i tried to put on my best look of cool approval and not show too much goofy excitememnt, but it was the most babulous place i’d ever seen! All this excitement and i hadnet even left the hotel yet.

My favorite place in teh whole suite, besides of course the Jacuzzi in my bathroom, was the wrap-around patio that looked out upon a sea of lights. in the morningi would see that it was an oasis-75% of all the buildings were still under construction. From the terrace, more than one of our guides during our stay pointed out the location where they were building the tallest building in the world. I gazed down on the beginnings of that structure and felt their excitement and pride in their city.

Luckily, I’d come to Dubai with a few days to spare before my gig and I made sure I had enough time to explore. The beach was my first destination, as I am a mermaid at heart. The water was a clear, bluish-green and shallow 80 degrees. I just sat in the middle of it and felt the warmth and I mean warmth. It was heaven!

I noticed they offered water-skiing and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something new. The gentleman who took us out was a young, strong, light-skinned man from Africa. He told us he was a surfer and that the only thing he missed in Dubai was the waves. Our instructor took us far out on a boat to different sets of islands and a big deep area of the ocean so we could try water-skiing. Let me just say you’re definitely gonna fall at least twice - but it’s so much fun to be a fool.

We had other adventures as well. We went dune-bashing in the desert (which puts roller coasters to shame), and then camel-riding, which was quite an experience. The camels were tethered together and knelt down on command as we crawled on. We held on for dear life as we were led around a large circle.

Then we had a traditional Middle Eastern dinner under the stars (the best falafel on the planet), had beautiful designs drawn on our skin with henna (much better than tattoos, especially for the ladies), listened to live traditional music and enjoyed a belly dancer (yes, I tried it!). It was a night I will never forget. I left Dubai feeling the intrigue that the creators of “Aladdin” must have felt - a place rich in tradition and history, kindness and magic. I felt like there was so much goodness to discover in a world that is mostly painted for Westerners as just the enemy (but that’s a whole different column). Mostly I felt proud that I wasn’t too afraid to try something new. Like every city girl should!

Source: New York Daily News

VERY SPECIAL THANKS 2 NiPs FrOm NyC & Zola!!

Alicia posted in her diary on her official website on July 10th 2004 and on July 13th 2004.

Check ‘m out & enjoy! (special thx 2 youroldestfan)

Jul 13, 2004 11:34 AM
Here I am in Barcelona! One of my favorite cities I’m discovering.
Althought the sun isn’t as bright as I wish it was, It’s still beautiful here. I always get lost in the language. It mesmorizes me. I’m on the way to the venue, Just wanted to write and say hey. All is well, looking forward to the show tonight and seeing all the fam that is gonna be there. I can always spot you in a crowd;-)
I love the enthusiasm!

Just a quick hello
I’ll write soon………

P.S BIG UP to everyone whose been supporting “The Reign” The Brand New KK mixtape. It’s crazy! This tape is hot like fire, I’m rocking to it right now!

Love the fam
stay up!

Always,
AK

Jul 10, 2004 12:14 PM
There are so many things to write about.
Let me start with The Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland.
Coming to Switzerland was a nice change because the sun was there to welcome us. Nice to feel it on your face. It’s amazing how much the weather can affect your attitude. The way the mountains and the water met and followed each other up and down the street was so much like a painting. It was beautiful. The streets were electric with all the people excited about the festivities. The feeling permeated the air. And me, I’m jus thinking the whole time, how many incredible people had been here before me. As I looked out on the streets I wondered about how the people must have looked and dressed and seemed to somebody like Miles Davis when he came and played here.

We did the show that night and it was beautiful, magical and very exciting. Once again the whole time I was just thankful to be able to play in a place that had so much history. But honestly it wasn’t until the next day that I truly got the full spectrum of just how much history Montriux held.

We were invited up to the house of the man who started the festival over 38 years ago. He lived up in the mountains and if the view was incredible from my hotel room down below, I can’t even begin to explain the way the view looked from up aobve. The mountains were immense. The sun was so warm and the way ever single chair and hammock was set up toward the vast view made you reflect as you looked out onto the water and the hills. It did feel like everywhere you turned could be a painting. As if you were merely a vision from an artist from above. Which we are, but you felt it. And it made me see how differently you can see life, depending on how you live it. I felt the beauty of the world from up there and the way that your mind can be clear to think. Anyway, that’s only some of the point. But the rest is what left me feeling…I don’t know I can’t describe, let me just explain.
The Gentleman who started this festival has an unbelievable archive of ALL the people that have ever performed at the Montreux Jazz festival. I’m talking about all 38 years of it. It’s incredible. Every single person that has ever graced the stage. Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Nina Simone. And that is just to name a few.

He put on the performance of Aretha Franklin in 1971, it was one of the most incredible things I’d ever seen. She had to be like 23 years old. She was a baby and singing and playing the piano with all her heart. You felt her spirit leap onto the screen. It was indescribable! But the most amazing one was to see Nina Simone Play in 1976. She had just come back from Africa and you could feel her anger. You could feel her intense feelings about the way that musicians, especially black Musicians were treated, the way people were treated and all that was going on in America that she obviously felt ambivalence toward. You could tell she felt like she didn’t really belong anywhere. But her playing…Oh my goodness her PLAYING!!!!!She played the piano as if her life depended on it. Her fluidity was incredible. She was speaking exactly from her heart and her pain and her insecurities and all the things that made her think, politically, personally, in every way came out through the piano and her voice. Her expression was genuine and real and deep! And it was really something that ripped through my whole core!!! All the times that I have ever thought about how much I wish I could see some of my favorite artists that are no longer here, and how I would just like to see the way they did it, what their approach was, things like that. And I was looking directly at it, with my own two eyes. I was mesmerized and inspired beyond belief.

It got me to thinking. It’s like the thing about artists then, is how serious they were about their craft! How artists like Nine Simone, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes, they THOUGHT! They had things to say! and opinions about what was going on around them, about things that others were afraid to discuss. They embraced the challenged and said what the heart of the people were thinking but never would have the voice to express. They were the leaders of a movement of a generation that needed to be heard. They were not so afraid and not so stuck on the fame or the money, but the message and standing their ground, creating their own freedom.
It affected me in such a deep way. It made me feel like I want to be remembered for things like that. Important things. I am still finding my way like we all are, but I want to search deeper and be remembered for being different, for being unafraid to be vocal and active. Be strong and stand for something that endures.
I went back to my hotel and played the shit out of my piano!;-)
Nina Simone was bad!!!!(not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good) and you gotsta practice your ass off to be Bad!!!;-)

Just a little recap on the experience, unreal, and provoking!
I love it like that!

Thinking about y’all…and feeling the vibe on the boards.
keep rockin….

This is going to be an unforgettable journey we are on together, I can’t even begin to imagine where it will lead us to…….;-)

peace
Ak

Upon release of Alicia Keys’ second effort “The Diary of Alicia Keys” on MBK/J Records, the highly anticipated album debuted in the coveted #1 spot.

In only six months time, sales of “Diary” have surpassed triple platinum - bringing her worldwide album sales to nearly 5 million.

At the same time, her single “If I Ain’t Got You” landed at #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart and is currently #5 with a bullet on the Hot 100 chart.

The five-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter and producer, whose debut “Songs In A Minor” sold over 10 million albums, continues to amass worldwide critical acclaim. Currently on a European tour, Keys’ concert in London garnered a 5 star review from the Times calling her “a
supreme musical talent.” She will begin her U.S. tour this fall. Alicia is also nominated for four Teen Choice Awards. Adding to her extensive list of achievements which includes five
Grammy Awards, four Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and the 2004 NAACP Image Award for Best Female Artist, Keys will soon be moving into the worlds of film and publishing. She’ll soon begin shooting her first movie role in the upcoming Halle Berry biopic about piano prodigy Phillippa Schuyler. And this fall, Alicia will publish her own book of poetry, followed by a second “diary-style” book with a major publishing house.

Chock full of tales from touring, Alicia Keys will be writing a regular travel column for the New York Daily News. Her first column, which will run in the newspaper’s Sunday (July 18th) issue, will detail a recent trip to Dubai.

“Writing a travel column is definitely new for me but I love the challenge,” Keys says. “Being on a world tour, I have been blessed to see some amazing places. I love the process of writing, so it’s exciting to be able to internalize all I’ve seen and report back to my hometown, New York City.”

As previously reported, P. Putnam’s Sons will publish Keys’ first poetry book this fall and will follow it with a “diary-style” book in 2005.
Source:billboard.com

Im sure you all know of the young, highly telented new British soulful singer that is Joss Stone. But do you know of one of her newest and hottest fan sites, that is Joss-S.tk which AFK are proudly hosting .
Joss-S.tk is growning at a very fast pace, and has much to offer, all the latest news on Joss and her music, downloads, gallery, and even a forum!

Pop star Alicia Keys is all set to create history by performing at the first concert ever to be staged at the Great Wall of China.

According to rate the music, Alicia has agreed to sing at the invitation-only ‘Wall Of Hope 2004′ charity show on September 25 to raise funds for the China Children and Teenagers Fund.

The musical extravaganza will be performed for a 10,000 strong audience at the Ju Yong Guan gate in Beijing and will be filmed for global TV audiences by ‘Live Aid’ producer Hal Uplinger.

The concert is one in a series to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Great Wall restoration project and more top names are expected to be announced in the following weeks. (ANI)

Alicia Keys Goes To The Wall

Grammy award-winning R&B singer/pianist Alicia Keys is set to make history by performing at an international pop music event staged at the Great Wall of China September 25. It’s the first music festival ever held at the spectacular site.
Keys is the first artist to confirm her participation in the Wall of Hope - China 2004 extravaganza. The piano-playing diva is currently touring Europe and will appear in Perugia, Italy at the Umbria Jazz Festival July 15.
Meanwhile, Wall of Hope will be staged at the Great Wall’s “Ju Yong Guan” North Gate in Beijing with a strict invite-only audience of a projected 10,000 lucky guests. Proceeds for the landmark event will benefit the Child Children and Teenagers’ Fund, and will commemorate the 20th anniversary of China’s Great Wall restoration project.
The concert is the first in a series of benefit shows planned for China’s major cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Hosts for the show will include televison personality Cynthia Garret (HBO’s Buzz w/Cynthia Garret, and ABC’s Life & Styles), along with urban boy band B2K’s Raz B, who will act as the event’s official youth ambassador. A complete roster of hosts and performers will be announced July 22.
Regular ‘ol fans will be able to see the show on TV; it will be taped for international broadcast.

Thanks to all your support the first two mixtapes were a huge success,Vol 1 is officially sold out and Vol 2 is still selling fast….But Now it’s time for the next level.

Vol. 3″The ReiGn” is available NOW!!!

I think we out did ourselves this time Ladies and Gentleman…This Vol is packed to the brim with some of the hottest music known to ears.

Once again The Lengendary DJ Dirty Harry hosts a solid line up of KrucialKeys’s finest.

Krucial*A.Keys*Young IllZ*Erika Rose*Twin*Kumasi and last but certainly not least L.Green
**Plus there are some special surprises for all you KruKeys Fanz.Oh Yeahhh!!!!

*Please send money orders in US Dollars only to:

KK Mix Music inc.
5 Brewster St #106
Glen Cove, NY 11542

**Volume 3 “The ReiGn” US: $13.00 International: $18.00

**Volume 2 ” Key Movement” US: $13.00 International: $18.00

Warning: This CD contains explicit lyrics. Also available is the censored version.

*For those of you who live overseas, go to your local post office to convert and obtain a money order into US Dollars.

You should receive your CD 2 - 4 weeks after your money is received.

The entire Krucial Keys crew would like to thank you for all of your continued support and interest!Once again Thanks to you the the first two mixtapes were a huge success.
Please send email to Krukeyzme@aol.com with a subject title of “My Contact Information” so that we can add you to our mailing list and keep you updated on everything Krucial Keys.
(Please include your Full Name, Address, Email, and DO.

Until next time, Many Blessings from all of us to all of you!

FYI this is the Krucial Keys email, not A Keys personal. Thank you for all of your support!

Do Remember the website is coming soon.www.KrucialKeys.com

Whatup yall!!

Alicia performed in Bonn - Germany last Friday. It was a great show and here are some pics for yall.