Keys wanted concert goers gathering for an immersive exhibit
on the eve of Art Basel Miami Beach to listen to her new material, and then
pick either the relaxing piano versions the Grammy-winning artist is best known
for, or the more-produced tracks with a different beat for the same songs.
“I say that's even” said Keys, seemingly surprised after
singing and then playing bits of “Is it Insane," a jazzy and melancholic
tune. The three songs she teased will appear on her new album, which is being
released on Dec. 10 with two versions she is calling “Originals” and
“Unlocked," produced by Mike WiLL Made-It.
Wearing a long tail yellow dress, Keys headlined an
experiential art show at Superblue Miami, appearing as one of the main
performers trekking down to Miami for the international art fair that runs from
Thursday to Saturday.
Rapper Tinie Tempah was among the artists attending the
“secret” Alicia Keys concert at a dark space with sunflowers were projected on
the walls. The previous night celebrity attendees at a Louis Vuitton's fashion
show included Maluma, Pharrell and Joe Jonas.
Keys and her husband, producer Swizz Beatz, are no strangers
to the art fair, having supported struggling artists allowing them to keep 100
percent of their commissions from the show.
One of the installations at the exhibit where Keys performed
was by James Turrell and featured a room with the floor, walls and ceiling
fully lit up in uniform neon colors that at times appeared foggy and made it
difficult to discern where the room ended. There was also a maze of mirrors
meant to resemble the respiratory system of trees.
During the meditation portion of the evening, Keys asked
guests to inhale and exhale at the same pace as these mechanical flowers that
were hanging from the ceiling opened and closed. Keys said they looked like
jelly fish in the ocean.