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"As a young musician, I would need to claim Nina Simone." Keys details, "That was the very first individual that resembled me-played classical, and also did soul and jazz, and had this way of blending styles. I had never really listened to that from a woman before. Aretha Franklin was a big influence on me too, because of those big, giant vocals-and she's likewise a crazy, dope piano player." Keys goes on to describe just how modern artists similarly influence her songwriting. "I extremely love Emeli Sandé, she's definitely at the top of my list. "Music is anything ... and also it's everything," she says. "I could be reading a publication, and there could be a line that sets me off, as well as I'm like, 'Whoa, I got ta create this down,' and so I run to the piano and play something, and also see where that takes me. Sometimes, it's just the piano- just music, and I have to figure out exactly what completes it. Whatever the case, my music certainly comes from a burst of inspiration, or a burst of emotion or some ... catalyst, so it can go either way.".
For any musical artist, from the garage to the arena, gauging whether or not a song is complete could be a difficult task. For Keys, recognizing when a song is "finished" is an ongoing, obtained skill. "You know, there are the ones that are those 'magic songs,' that simply pour out of you, and before you know it, there it is, all prepared, at the end of the night," she says. "Then there's others that are more of a craft project-maybe you start it with one particularly terrific section, but the other components aren't there-and three months later you're still working on it. However that's the cool component, because when you do get it, it's not merely a track ... it's a feeling. That's what you're chasing.".
As a singer-songwriter and solo artist, Keys acknowledges that the connections she's had with her producers have played a vital role in her incredible success. "It's such a blessing to have someone who really, truly knows you as well as understands you," explains Keys. "If you're able to be comfortable, then you're able to create one of the most spectacular work. And also if you have that rapport with a collaborator or partner, you have the capability to open up and be totally free-which is rare.".
One might assume that Keys' enormous success would bring on a heavier responsibility to her label's demands. Rather, Keys feels that it has further freed her creative process. "I've been very fortunate to not need to go via also much of that, and that's a rarity for certain," she says. "When I first started, [Clive Davis] really respected what I did, that I was the writer, and a producer, and that I could really create the sound I wanted. And we had a really effective first record, and ever since, I've always been left alone. So fortunately, I've never been in that weird space where you're forced to play something you hate-and I'm grateful.".