Alicia Keys reintroduced herself and the album that carved her name into the cornerstone of R&B by performing a Songs in A Minor medley at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night (May 23).
Her performance marks the 20th anniversary celebration of her legendary debut album, Songs in A Minor, which was released on June 5, 2001. The LP debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned the 2002 Grammy Award for best R&B album. Its lead single and her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Fallin’,” won the best R&B song, best female R&B performance and song of the year awards that same year.
The R&B savant took her usual post at a white piano while narrating the album’s intro “Piano & I” while underscoring her dedication to her craft. “I’m never gonna leave the keys,” she whispered before ditching her signature instrument for a red keyboard to sing “A Woman’s Worth.” A rainbow-splattered piano called her to play her Prince cover “How Come You Don’t Call Me” before launching into “Fallin,” the song former first lady Michelle Obama described as “edgy and soulful, graceful yet raw” in the illustrious introduction.
She stretched out the all-too-familiar titular line, “I keep on fallin’ in and out of love with you,” which was welcomed with a roar of praise from the audience.
The Billboard Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, which is owned by MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.
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