by Derrel Jazz Johnson
SiriusXM and Pandora teamed up to bring 15-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Alicia Keys to the stage of the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem for a special one-night-only performance on Thursday, November 11, 2021, as part of their Small Stage Series.
Alicia Keys opened the intimate, exclusive, and invitation-only show by walking down the aisle of the iconic theater wearing a black and blue ensemble with a sleeveless left arm. During the approximately 90-minute performance, Keys, who was joined onstage by performed many of her hits, including the very fitting “Empire State of Mind,” “Fallin’,” “Girl on Fire,” “No One,” “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart,” “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Un-Thinkable,” “So Done,” and “LALA.”
Keys was joined on stage by special guests Jadakiss and Styles P of The Lox for a special performance of “We Gonna Make It” with Keys singing the hook of the hip-hop classic. Lucky Daye, who revealed that it was his first time in Harlem, also joined Keys on stage and performed his song “Over” before he performed a new song with Keys called “Come For Me.”
During the concert, Keys debuted new songs off her forthcoming double album entitled “KEYS” which will be released on December 10. The double album features a side called Originals and another called Unlocked. Originals features the classic Keys sound, while the Unlocked version features more of a hip-hop feel.
Keys left the stage to a standing ovation from the Harlem crowd, but returned for an encore with her youngest son Genesis, to perform her hit “If I Ain’t Got You” before leaving for a final time to another standing ovation.
Prior to the performance, Keys talked about her love of the Apollo Theater, calling the vibe of the theater magical. During the concert, she praised the countless legendary performers who have graced the stage.
The performance will be available exclusively on the SXM app on Monday, November 15, and will air on Tuesday, November 16, at 6 pm on SiriusXM’s Heart & Soul channel. The company is also launching a limited-run channel called Alicia Keys Radio, which will air the concert on December 10 at 8 pm ET and PT on via satellite on channel 48 and on the SXM App in celebration of the release of her forthcoming album.
For more information on the Small Stage Series, visit https://www.siriusxm.com/small-stage-series