Alicia Keys & MTV Debut Next Generation of 'Unplugged'

Alicia Keys & MTV Debut Next Generation of 'Unplugged'

J Records Artist Alicia Keys Releases Highly Anticipated 'Alicia Keys Unplugged' CD & DVD on October 11th

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV will debut the next generation of its popular live performance series, "Unplugged," by hosting the incomparable Alicia Keys. Filmed and recorded on July 14th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the unforgettable acoustic performance features a full set of Keys' most acclaimed music, along with several new songs exclusive to her "Unplugged" performance. Keys is joined on the album and DVD by musical counterparts Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley and Adam Levine (Maroon 5) for several memorable collaborations. The Alicia Keys Unplugged album and DVD will hit stores on October 11th. MTV will air Alicia Keys Unplugged on Friday, September 23rd at 10pm ET/PT.

"It's an honor to step into the spotlight of the MTV Unplugged concert series and share in the legacy that MTV has created with previously great Unplugged performances," said Alicia Keys. "This MTV Unplugged is such an amazing and eclectic musical experience which enabled me to arrange the songs with a new perspective, express myself musically, and connect with my fans on a different level then ever before. It's an honor that MTV is bringing back Unplugged for me and I can't wait for you to hear these new songs! You're going to love them."

"Unbreakable," the lead single on the Alicia Keys Unplugged album has already hit the radio to rave reviews and was the #1 most added song at Urban Mainstream and Urban Adult formats last week. The "Unbreakable" video is in heavy rotation on MTV, MTV2, MTV Hits and MTV Jams. Also look for Keys on MTV's TRL (Sept. 22nd) and performances of "Unbreakable" on Good Morning America (Nov. 11th), David Letterman (Nov. 10th), and The View (Nov. 12th).

Aside from the album, Keys is currently collaborating on a film project with Oscar winner Halle Berry and will star in an upcoming feature film entitled "Smokin' Aces" along with Jeremy Piven, slated for release in 2006.

In 2005, TIME magazine named Keys one of "The Most Influential People In The World." At age of 24, Keys is already a nine time Grammy Award winning artist whose debut album Songs In A Minor went on to sell more than 10 million copies. Keys' critically acclaimed follow-up album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, has already sold over 7 million copies worldwide. Recently, she also completed a sold out national 32-city tour and still had time to author a New York Times best selling book called Tears for Water. Not only is she an extraordinary musician and best selling author and ingenious producer, Keys is also a humanitarian and philanthropist. As one of the Ambassadors for the charity Keep A Child Alive, she has raised funds and awareness to provide lifesaving AIDS/HIV medicines to children in Africa.

MTV's "Unplugged" concert series first debuted in 1989 showcasing popular musical artists playing acoustically in an intimate setting. The series is credited with starting an "acoustic revolution" among musicians, bringing acoustic instruments and arrangements back into the musical mainstream. Unplugged has received critical acclaim, spotlighting artists including Eric Clapton, who won six Grammys including Album of the Year for his performance, Nirvana who won Best Alternative Album Grammy for their Unplugged appearance, and Tony Bennett whose performance earned him Album of the Year honors. Other performers include Bob Dylan, Lauryn Hill, Neil Young, Alice in Chains, Alanis Morissette, LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, and now Alicia Keys.

Source: J Records

CONTACT: Charlie Dougiello, +1-212-981-5260, or Lauren Nowell, +1-212-981-5124, both of Dan Klores Communications for J Records

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