Alicia Keys

The Library Of Congress Honors Music By A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, And Others

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A Tribe Called Quest 1991 Ali Shaheed Muhammad Q-TIp Phife Dawg
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There are plenty of music awards out there but perhaps the most prestigious is a work being selected for preservation in the Library Of Congress’ National Recording Registry; Recordings are selected after being deemed “worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” It’s a major achievement, as only 600 recordings have ever been honored.

That total counts the newly announced selections for 2022, which include Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and Alicia Keys’ Songs In A Minor, among noteworthy others.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden says, “The National Recording Registry reflects the diverse music and voices that have shaped our nation’s history and culture through recorded sound. The national library is proud to help preserve these recordings, and we welcome the public’s input. We received about 1,000 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry.”

Keys also noted, “I’m so honored and grateful that Songs In A Minor, the entire album, gets to be recognized as such a powerful body of work that is just going to be timeless.

Find the full list of 2022 selections below and read more about them here.

1. “Harlem Strut” — James P. Johnson (1921)
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-1945)
3. “Walking The Floor Over You” — Ernest Tubb (1941) (single)
4. “On A Note Of Triumph” (May 8, 1945)
5. “Jesus Gave Me Water” — The Soul Stirrers (1950) (single)
6. Ellington At Newport — Duke Ellington (1956) (album)
7. We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite — Max Roach (1960) (album)
8. “The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole (1961) (single)
9. Tonight’s The Night — The Shirelles (1961) (album)
10. “Moon River” — Andy Williams (1962) (single)
11. In C — Terry Riley (1968) (album)
12. “It’s A Small World” — The Disneyland Boys Choir (1964) (single)
13. “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” — The Four Tops (1966) (single)
14. Hank Aaron’s 715th Career Home Run (April 8, 1974)
15. “Bohemian Rhapsody” — Queen (1975) (single)
16. “Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey (1981) (single)
17. Canciones de Mi Padre — Linda Ronstadt (1987) (album)
18. Nick Of Time — Bonnie Raitt (1989) (album)
19. The Low End Theory — A Tribe Called Quest (1991) (album)
20. Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) — Wu-Tang Clan (1993) (album)
21. Buena Vista Social Club (1997) (album)
22. “Livin’ La Vida Loca” — Ricky Martin (1999) (single)
23. Songs In A Minor — Alicia Keys (2001) (album)
24. WNYC broadcasts for the day of 9/11 (September 11, 2001)
25. WTF With Marc Maron (Guest: Robin Williams) (April 26, 2010)

Alicia Keys Has Big Slick Rick Energy In Her Vidoe For ‘City Of Gods Part II’

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As has become her custom, Alicia Keys has released a solo version of her recent single, “City Of Gods.” While the original “City Of Gods” features both Kanye West and Fivio Foreign, on “City Of Gods Part II,” Keys strips back the production, turning her latest ode to the Big Apple into a tender ballad. The new video features Alicia showing off a Mercedes-Benz concept car, as well as being coronated by a New York rap icon. Slick Rick appears in the video, bequeathing a large and heavy-looking collection of chains to Alicia, who stoically regards the camera as her neck gets chunkier and chunkier.

Included in that collection is one of Keys’ own chains, which she commissioned from famed New York jeweler Elliante And Co. to commemorate her latest album, KEYS. The glittering neckpiece features a rendition of a set of piano keys with the singer’s signature and received praise from both her husband Swizz Beatz and Jay-Z. Jay-Z was Alicia’s collaborator on a prior record celebrating New York City, “Empire State of Mind,” which she also remixed after its initial success. Whether “City Of Gods II” leads into another body of work for 2022 remains to be seen.

Watch the video for Alicia Keys’ “City Of Gods Part II” above.

Fivio Foreign, Kanye West, And Alicia Keys Stand Tall And Plead For Grace In Their ‘City Of Gods’ Video

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Since earning his spotlight moment back in 2019 thanks to his breakout hit “Big Drip,” Fivio Foreign has stayed relevant in the drill rap scene thanks to strong singles and guest features. However, one thing the rapper has not yet done is release an album. At long last, Fivio will do so when he drops B.I.B.L.E. next month and it’s a project that’s set to be executive produced by Kanye West. Ahead of the album’s arrival, Fivio, Kanye, and Alicia Keys join forces in the video for their recent collaboration, “City Of Gods.”

The visual is shot in black and white and it finds Fivio and Kanye feeding off each other’s energy and they dance enthusiastically beside each other. Elsewhere, Alicia Keys stands in the spotlight to deliver her attention-grabbing hook. The trio’s track marks Kanye and Fivio’s second song together after they united for “Off The Grid” from Kanye’s 2021 album Donda.

Fivio’s video comes after he pushed back against claims that drill rap is responsible for the spike in murders and shootings in New York City. “This the drill community, and I know like, the police and everybody be looking at n****s like n****s is starting trouble, but n****s ain’t really starting trouble,” he told TMZ. “They tryna feed they kids.”

You can watch the video for “City Of Gods” above.

Fivio Foreign Unearths A ‘City Of Gods’ With Kanye West And Alicia Keys

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In what was one of the more unexpected collaborations of 2021, Fivio Foreign and Kanye West struck magic on Donda. The two, along with Playboi Carti, joined forces on “Off The Grid” and the track turned out to be one of the year’s favorite hip-hop records. Kanye later admitted that he recruited Fivio for the song after hearing his impressive freestyle on Funk Flex’s radio show. Now, the two have connected for another song and this time, it sees Fivio leading the way and Kanye supplying a guest verse with help from Alicia Keys.

The trio puts their talents together for “City Of God.” The track is carried by drill production and Alicia Keys’ interpolation of The Chainsmokers’ “New York City,” which serves as the hook for the song. Fivio lays two hard-hitting verses before Kanye arrives to lay a lengthy verse to close out the song, which also features ad-libs from Playboi Carti. For over two minutes, Kanye drops direct and indirect references to the Chicago Bulls, Pete Davidson,SNL, Justin LaBoy, Drake, Donda, Donda 2, College Dropout, and more. He also declares that his contribution to the song will be the best verse of 2022.

In addition to the new song, Fivio revealed that his debut album, B.I.B.L.E., will be released on March 25 and feature executive production from Kanye himself. Fivio also noted that the album will be dedicated to his friend and long-time collaborator Tahjay “T Dott” Dobson.

You can press play on “City Of Gods” in the video above.