Studio Album · No. 8
Keys Songwriting Credits by Alicia Keys
Produced by Alicia Keys, Mike Will Made-It, Fred Ball, AraabMuzik, Suzy Shinn, VRon, Carter Lang, BJ Burton, Bangladesh, Marzeratti
RCA Records
R&BSoulHip hop
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 26 of 26 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 26 / 26 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 26 tracks with documented writers, by whether Alicia Keys carries a lyricist or composer credit.
26 trackswritten by Alicia Keys
0 tracksoutside writers
Alicia Keys's roles on this album
Share of the 26 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer85%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
26
Tracks
34
Lyricists
15
Producers
2021
Released
Data Insight
Keys is built around a single conceptual gimmick that doubles its tracklist: every song appears twice, once as an Originals version produced mainly by Alicia Keys and once as an Unlocked version reworked by Mike Will Made-It. Keys handled the writing and the stripped, piano-led arrangements on the Originals disc, and Mike Will sampled those same recordings to add harder drums and studio effects for the Unlocked counterparts. The result lets the same compositions, like Best of Me, Skydive, and Nat King Cole, be heard as both intimate ballads and beat-driven remixes. Co-producers across the project include Swizz Beatz, Carter Lang, AraabMuzik, Fred Ball, and BJ Burton.
Alicia Keys' eighth studio album, released December 10, 2021. Keys is a double album with two distinct sides: the 'Originals' side presents 14 tracks in a stripped-down, piano-led style self-produced by Keys, while the 'Unlocked' side reimagines the same compositions with new production from Mike Will Made-It in a more percussive, trap-influenced style. Featured artists across both sides include Pusha T, Brandi Carlile, Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, Khalid, Lucky Daye, and J. Cole. Bill Withers is a co-writer on 'Nat King Cole' and Sade's Helen Adu, Andrew Hale, and Stuart Matthewman appear on 'Best of Me.'
Track Listing & Credits 26 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Plentiful
|
Alicia KeysSwizz BeatzDwight GrantKanye WestGraham William Nash | Alicia Augello CookKasseem DeanDwight GrantKanye Omari WestGraham William Nash | Alicia KeysSwizz Beatz | Pusha T (vocals) |
| 2 |
Skydive
|
Alicia KeysRaphael SaadiqKenton Nix | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray WigginsKenton Nix | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Best of Me
|
Alicia KeysRaphael SaadiqSadeAndrew HaleStuart Matthewman | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray WigginsHelen Folasade AduAndrew HaleStuart Matthewman | Alicia KeysSam Morton | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Dead End Road
|
Alicia KeysFredrik BallDean McIntosh | Alicia Augello CookFredrik BallDean McIntosh | Alicia KeysFred Ball | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Is It Insane
|
Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Billions
|
Alicia KeysAbraham Orellana | Alicia Augello CookAbraham Orellana | AraabMuzik | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Love When You Call My Name
|
Alicia KeysRaphael Saadiq | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray Wiggins | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Only You
|
Alicia KeysRaphael Saadiq | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray Wiggins | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Daffodils
|
Alicia KeysNatalie Hemby | Alicia Augello CookNatalie Hemby | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Old Memories
|
Alicia KeysNatalie Hemby | Alicia Augello CookNatalie Hemby | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Nat King Cole
|
Alicia KeysNatalie HembyMarquel MiddlebrooksMichael Williams IIBill Withers | Alicia Augello CookNatalie HembyMarquel MiddlebrooksMichael Williams IIWilliam Harrison Withers Jr. | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-It | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Paper Flowers
|
Alicia KeysBrandi Marie Carlile | Alicia Augello CookBrandi Marie Carlile | Alicia Keys | Brandi Carlile (vocals) |
| 13 |
Like Water
|
Alicia KeysSia FurlerMark Batson | Alicia Augello CookSia FurlerMark Batson | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Keys
|
Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook | Alicia Keys | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
Only You (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysRaphael SaadiqMichael Williams IIAsheton HoganPierre Slaughter | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray WigginsMichael Williams IIAsheton HoganPierre Slaughter | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-ItPlussP-NaztyAaron Jhenke | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 16 |
Skydive (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysRaphael SaadiqMichael Williams IIAsheton HoganKenton Nix | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray WigginsMichael Williams IIAsheton HoganKenton Nix | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-ItPluss | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 17 |
Best of Me (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysRaphael SaadiqMichael Williams IISadeAndrew HaleStuart MatthewmanBarry White | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray WigginsMichael Williams IIHelen Folasade AduAndrew HaleStuart MatthewmanBarry Eugene Carter | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-It | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 18 |
Lala
|
Alicia KeysSwae LeeMichael Williams IIDarryl EllisPaul RichmondRuben Locke | Alicia Augello CookKhalif BrownMichael Williams IIDarryl EllisPaul RichmondRuben Locke | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-It | Swae Lee (vocals) |
| 19 |
Nat King Cole (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysLil WayneNatalie HembyMarquel MiddlebrooksMichael Williams IIBill Withers | Alicia Augello CookDwayne CarterNatalie HembyMarquel MiddlebrooksMichael Williams IIWilliam Harrison Withers Jr. | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-ItMarzeratti | Lil Wayne (vocals) |
| 20 |
Is It Insane (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysAsheton HoganMichael Williams II | Alicia Augello CookAsheton HoganMichael Williams II | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-It | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 21 |
Come for Me
|
Alicia KeysKhalidDavid BrownJ. ColeMichael Williams IICarter LangBJ Burton | Alicia Augello CookKhalid Donnel RobinsonDavid BrownJermaine Lamarr ColeMichael Williams IICarter LangBJ Burton | Mike Will Made-ItCarter LangBJ Burton | Khalid (vocals)Lucky Daye (vocals) |
| 22 |
Old Memories (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysNatalie HembyShondrae CrawfordMichael Williams II | Alicia Augello CookNatalie HembyShondrae CrawfordMichael Williams II | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-ItAaron Jhenke | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 23 |
Dead End Road (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysFredrik BallDean McIntosh | Alicia Augello CookFredrik BallDean McIntosh | Fred BallJay Mooncie | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 24 |
Love When You Call My Name (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysRaphael SaadiqMichael Williams II | Alicia Augello CookCharlie Ray WigginsMichael Williams II | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-It | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 25 |
Daffodils (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysNatalie HembyMichael Williams II | Alicia Augello CookNatalie HembyMichael Williams II | Alicia KeysMike Will Made-It | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
| 26 |
Billions (Unlocked)
|
Alicia KeysAbraham Orellana | Alicia Augello CookAbraham Orellana | Suzy ShinnVRon | Alicia Augello Cook (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 59 contributors
AK
Alicia Keys
Writer · Producer
AA
Alicia Augello Cook
Writer · Vocals
MW
Michael Williams II
Writer
CR
Charlie Ray Wiggins
Writer
RS
Raphael Saadiq
Writer
NH
Natalie Hemby
Writer
AH
Asheton Hogan
Writer
AO
Abraham Orellana
Writer
AH
Andrew Hale
Writer
BW
Bill Withers
Writer
DM
Dean McIntosh
Writer
FB
Fredrik Ball
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions Keys
What is the concept behind Alicia Keys' album Keys?
Keys is a double album split into two discs of the same songs. The Originals disc presents Alicia Keys' melodic, piano-driven versions, while the Unlocked disc reworks those same tracks with Mike Will Made-It adding stronger beats and production effects. Many titles, such as Best of Me and Skydive, therefore appear twice in two distinct sonic styles.
Who produced the Unlocked versions on Alicia Keys' album Keys?
Mike Will Made-It produced the Unlocked disc of Keys. He sampled Alicia Keys' original recordings and gave them stronger beats and several effects and transformations. The Originals disc was produced mainly by Alicia Keys with a range of collaborators.
Who produced the Unlocked version of Best of Me by Alicia Keys?
The Unlocked version of Best of Me was produced by Mike Will Made-It, who reworked Alicia Keys' original recording. The Originals version of Best of Me was produced by Keys herself. Both versions appear on the Keys album.
Did Alicia Keys write the songs on Keys herself?
Alicia Keys co-wrote the songs on Keys and led the writing and arrangements on the Originals disc. She also produced much of that disc, working with collaborators including Swizz Beatz, Carter Lang, AraabMuzik, Fred Ball, and BJ Burton. The Unlocked disc reuses those same compositions reworked by Mike Will Made-It.
What genre is Alicia Keys' album Keys?
Keys is primarily an R&B and soul record, with the Unlocked disc leaning into hip hop production. The Originals disc favors piano-led ballads while the Unlocked disc adds heavier beats. It was released on RCA Records on December 10, 2021.
How did Alicia Keys' album Keys perform on the charts?
Keys debuted at number 41 on the Billboard 200, the first Alicia Keys studio album to miss the top five in the United States. The singles Lala and Best of Me charted on Billboard's R&B lists rather than the Hot 100. Best of Me reached number 8 on the Adult R&B Songs chart.
Was Lala by Alicia Keys a single from Keys, and who is featured on it?
Yes, Lala featuring Swae Lee was a single from Keys, released September 9, 2021. The Unlocked version reached number 20 on Billboard's Hot R&B Songs chart and number 25 on Adult R&B Songs. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
How long is Alicia Keys' album Keys?
Keys runs roughly 93 minutes across its two discs. The Originals disc lasts about 50 minutes and the Unlocked disc about 43 minutes. The double-disc format reflects its concept of pairing each song with a reworked version.
What label released Alicia Keys' album Keys?
Keys was released by RCA Records on December 10, 2021. It was Alicia Keys' last album under the label, as she and RCA parted ways in the summer of 2022. It was her eighth studio album.