Without a doubt, Alicia Keys was well aware of the controversies and divisions still spinning across this nation on Memorial Day weekend. The socially-conscious composer, producer, and singer is also a mother and wife, who understands more deeply than many just how healing music can be, especially when sung by a mother and child. When freedom of expression is being questioned and assailed from Capitol Hill to every NFL franchise, a powerful song of simple truth can still make a statement and symbolize unity.
Alicia Keys has performed across the world and brought her music and her mentoring to blossoming new artists and the most well-known names in music.
When her seven-year-old son, Egypt, sat on the piano bench, putting his already gifted fingers to Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” his mom had to join in and had to share the sweet moment with the world.
More than just a “mommy brag,” the tender moment caught on camera exemplifies the best of family love unfiltered, along with a timeless call to understand that together is the only way to stand strong as a nation or a home, seeing diversity as an asset.
Falling in perfectly
When a boy has Alicia Keys for a mom, it is no wonder that she was inescapably drawn to her son’s deliberate but so deft chord progression of the 70s anthem. Gliding into a director's chair next to Egypt, facing opposite his keys, Alicia begins to belt out the chorus.
Mom sweetly leans in nearer and nearer as she sings. Because the performance was completely impromptu, Alicia Keys must be granted a waiver for singing “go” instead of “show” at the end of “That you won’t let show.” Either word works splendidly in this context.
Most endearing of all is Alicia Keys’ resounding yelp of approval to her boy at the end, along with a “high five,” her glowing smile, and a nanosecond of nose-to-nose touch.
Incredibly, the song “Fallin’” that became the first indelible hit for Alicia Keys, was written when she was in her teens and soared atop charts worldwide in 2001. Just as hard to forget is the fact that when “Lean on Me” topped the charts, languishing war, social and racial tensions, and executive government scandal were consuming topics, much like today.
Bill Withers’ impassioned plea to “swallow your pride if I have things you need to borrow” speaks about so much more than immediate needs and goods. We must learn as a people to borrow from experiences, history, and culture, understanding that “our better angels” reign once the notion that “maybe they shouldn't be in the country,” applied to law-abiding people, is banished.
Girl power growing
Daddy pride has also been on display, with Alisha's husband and Egypt’s dad, Kasseem Dean, a.k.a. producer, Swiss Beatz, also sharing the clip and touting the “hard work and dedication” that his wife devotes to the kids as “priceless.” Last year, a post with younger son, Genesis, showing off his beatbox prowess stole too many hearts to count.
Alicia Keys’ advocacy for her talents on “The Voice” has made a lasting impact on their careers, and her “make-up free” campaign has caused millions of women to reflect on real beauty over commercial images, prompting them to a more genuine self-esteem.
Just over a week ago, Alicia Keys was announced as one of the readers on the two audio books for “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.” The hardcover book was released after a successful Kickstarter campaign and became a 2017 New York Times bestseller. Alicia Keys will read the biographical story of Nina Simone in the audio version, which will be available on June 19.
In music, mentoring, movies, books, or in just being a mom, Alicia Keys never runs dry when it comes to encouragement and inspiration to give.
