Award-winning songstress and “Queen of Soul” Alicia Keys has joined the highly popular online education platform, MasterClass, to offer lessons on songwriting and producing.
According to Variety, the Fallin’ singer’s class comprises of 19 video lessons where she’ll take students on an educational journey on how she “cooks up” her records in the studio from scratch.
The entire class, which was shot in her home studio, takes the form of several phases which MasterClass elaborates in a press release:
Keys will take members through her entire process, starting with developing lyrics at the piano in the Live Room, recording and layering vocals in the Iso Booth, and finally, arranging sonics in the Control Room. Breaking down the anatomy of her many anthemic tracks, she explains the various influences and elements that come together to create her signature authentic and retro-futuristic sound, including how she harnesses the power of specific vocal arrangements and experiments with instruments and software. Fans will appreciate her rare deconstruction of the creative process behind one of her most iconic hits, “Fallin’.”
Away from the music, the 15-time Grammy-winner will also touch on the inequalities in the music industry and also share with the class her endeavors towards “creating more space at the table for those whose voices are silenced.”
“I cannot stress enough the power you have when you’re truly confident in yourself,” Keys said. “In my MasterClass, I’m excited to connect on a different level. We’re gonna talk about what I’ve learned, my process and how to access what’s inside of you, so you can connect and get it out into the world.”
The 39-year-old joins a list of several other professionals from various fields who are also offering online classes on the platform including Simone Biles, Serena Williams, Usher, Spike Lee, Shonda Rhimes, and Herbie Hancock, just to mention a few.
“Alicia is simply a legend,” Masterclass CEO and founder, David Rogier, said. “She appeals to and unites her audience with empathy and empowerment. In her MasterClass, Alicia not only breaks down her creative process, but deconstructs her most influential songs. She inspires all of us to control our power and purpose.”