Alicia Keys' 25 Favorite Albums

Peek inside the musical mind of an R&B legend.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Alicia Keys' music has always been about a delicate balance of influences. She sits at her keyboard and conjures up sounds that blend the richness of classic soul and the grit of hip-hop. As part of our big Girl on Fire cover roll-out we asked her to pick the 25 albums.

It wasn't an easy task narrowing down Alicia's musical palette, but she came up with a list as funky and eclectic as you'd expect it to be—a little bit of soul, a little bit of rap, a touch of reggae and alternative too. Here they all are, presented in chronological order with commentary by Keys herself and full album streams courtesy of Spotify.

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Click Here For The Full ALICIA KEYS Cover Story.

Related: Alicia Keys Covers Complex's October 2007 Issue!

Nina Simone, Pastel Blues (1965)

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Label: Phillips
Alicia Keys: "What an amazing artist! She is the first woman that I was ever introduced to that played classical piano and melded it with her own style and emotions! I think the whole world should know and respect Nina Simone as I believe she is one of the absolute GREATS! The song 'Sinnerman' on this record is one of my all time favorites and whenever I hear her music, it reminds me to be as different, and skillful, and brave that I can be. And this song is the best way to feel this way."

Aretha Franklin, Lady Soul (1968)

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Label: Atlantic, Rhino
Alicia Keys: "Ms. Aretha is one of my main go to’s for inspiration. Her piano playing, gospel, soul style is something that you literally have to be DEAD not to feel and she always brings me light and strength even through her most vulnerable performances. 'Ain't No Way' is one of my favorite songs in the world. You can tell that song was one of the realest moments in her life. That is music at its best. Capturing an honest moment!"

The Beatles, Abbey Road (1969)

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Jackson 5, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (1969)/ABC (1970)

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Marvin Gaye, What's Going On? (1971)

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Label: Tamla
Alicia Keys: "Marvin Gaye is the first person who taught me to write from a place of experience and talk about what was right in front of me. And his style of background vocal production is something that I listen to all of the time for inspiration. My favorites are 'Flying High in a Friendly Sky' and 'Wholy Holy.'"

Curtis Mayfield, Super Fly (1972)

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Stevie Wonder, Music of My Mind (1972)

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Label: Tamla
Alicia Keys: "Stevie Wonder is a creativity kickstart for me because he consistently writes songs that defy gravity. He reminds me that in order to be the best musician I can be, I have to be open to experimenting. Some of my favorites of his are 'Superwoman,' 'All in Love is Fair,' 'You and I' and 'They Won’t Go When I Go.' As you can see by the number of albums on my list, I could name a million of his songs for inspiration."

Stevie Wonder, Innervisions (1973)

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Label: Tamla
Alicia Keys "Stevie Wonder is a creativity kickstart for me because he consistently writes songs that defy gravity. He reminds me that in order to be the best musician I can be, I have to be open to experimenting. Some of my favorites of his are 'Superwoman,' 'All in Love is Fair,' 'You and I' and 'They Won’t Go When I Go.' As you can see by the number of albums on my list, I could name a million of his songs for inspiration."

Stevie Wonder, Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)

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Label: Tamla
Alicia Keys: "Stevie Wonder is a creativity kickstart for me because he consistently writes songs that defy gravity. He reminds me that in order to be the best musician I can be, I have to be open to experimenting. Some of my favorites of his are 'Superwoman,' 'All in Love is Fair,' 'You and I' and 'They Won’t Go When I Go.' As you can see by the number of albums on my list, I could name a million of his songs for inspiration."

Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life (1976)

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Label: Tamla
Alicia Keys: "Stevie Wonder is a creativity kickstart for me because he consistently writes songs that defy gravity. He reminds me that in order to be the best musician I can be, I have to be open to experimenting. Some of my favorites of his are 'Superwoman,' 'All in Love is Fair,' 'You and I' and 'They Won’t Go When I Go.' As you can see by the number of albums on my list, I could name a million of his songs for inspiration."

Bob Marley & the Wailers, Exodus (1977)

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Label: Island
Alicia Keys: "Bob Marley is complete energy! When I put on this album it takes me to another world and reminds me to use my voice to speak truth and love."

Patrice Rushen, Straight from the Heart (1982)

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Label: Elektra
Alicia Keys: "I Love Patrice Rushen! As a producer, writer and keyboard player she is the real thing. And the grooves that she creates are so incredible—I know she was in the studio running shit! ;-) She’s a powerful woman that inspires me to create timeless music! On this record, I listen to 'Where There is Love.'"

Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)

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Label: Epic
Alicia Keys: "I’m always inspired by Michael's marriage of incredible lyrics and unbelievable production. When I want to make something timeless I’ll always reference Michael Jackson. I think one of the best songs in the whole world is 'Billie Jean.' I can go on and on about MJ."

Prince, Purple Rain (1984)

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Label: Warner Bros.
Alicia Keys: "Prince is a legend and this album sealed the deal. From 'Let's Go Crazy' to 'When Doves Cry' and 'I Would Die 4 U,' this album is so great to listen to. But the song 'The Beautiful Ones' melts me every time—his passion is so tangible! This is really an intense song about the deepest longing and the frustration of unrequited love. Whenever I listen to it, it reminds me of that feeling."

Prince, Sign "☮" the Times (1987)

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Label: Paisley Park, Warner Bros.
Alicia Keys: "This album is incredibly inspiring for me. The way he experiments with sounds and drums and voices is really amazing. He was really thinking out of the box for this one. But my favorite thing is how he conceptualizes songs. Like in 'The Ballad of Dorothy Parker 'or 'Starfish and Coffee.' Seriously there is no one like him!" 

Dr. Dre, The Chronic (1992)

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Sade, Love Deluxe (1992)

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Label: Epic
Alicia Keys: "Sade is a world all her own. I love that when I listen to her music it makes me feel like I’m watching the sunset in a purple sky. Her voice is so soft and smooth yet so emotive and powerful. Her voice is like water and she flows like no one else in the universe. Some favorites are: 'Cherish the Day,' 'Love is Stronger than Pride,' and 'Woman in Somalia.'"

The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)

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Label: Bad Boy Records
Alicia Keys: "This is one of my absolute favorite albums! Biggie is one of the best MC’s there ever was and for me he really inspired me to think deeper about how far you can take concepts of songs and where they can take you. He had a way of being lyrical, witty and emotional and that is a lethal combination. Honestly my favorite Biggie song on this album is 'Me and My Bitch'—I know it sounds crazy but this song about love in the life of a hustler, really painted a vivid picture for me."

Nas, Illmatic (1994)

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Label: Columbia
Alicia Keys: "Nas is someone who I’ve admired lyrically since his first record and he’s somebody that always comes up with new original concepts. As a writer, that’s always inspiring to hear. On this record some of my favorites are 'NY State of Mind' and 'The World is Yours.'"

RELATED: Nas' 25 Favorite Albums

Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

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Label: Ruffhouse, Columbia
Alicia Keys: "I love this album! This is truly the epitome of that time in my life as a young artist dying to become known in the music world. This album really gave me tremendous inspiration! It is heartfelt, innovative...where soul meets hip-hop in the most organic way. Lauryn Hill is incredible and this album holds a beautiful place in my conscious."

Feist, Let It Die (2004)

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Label: Polydor, Arts & Crafts
Alicia Keys: "This album was introduced to me by John Legend who actually played the title song for me while we were writing—he played it on the piano and sang it at first. It was so striking, I said, 'What is that?" And then he played me the actual record and it instantly became a favorite for me. The way her voice breaks is so moving. She totally caught pure honesty and that's inspiring."

Bob Sinclair, Western Dream (2006)

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Label: Defected, Tommy Boy, Ministry of Sound Australia
Alicia Keys: "I love how Bob Sinclair mixes so many styles together! To me that’s what makes his music, world music, it’s something that everyone can relate to in their own way. This album makes me think of summer!"

Radiohead, In Rainbows (2007)

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Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)

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Label: Jagjaguwar
Alicia Keys: "There's a simplicity and vulnerability in Justin Vernon's voice that's very easy to listen to. I love this debut album because it feels so lyrically intimate and like there's no one and nothing between you and it. No distracting production to take you away from the feeling. 'Skinny Love,' 'Flume,' and 'Blindsided' are some of the tracks I love."

Frank Ocean, Nostalgia, Ultra (2011)

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