The 29-year-old singer, who has been represented by Robinson's MBK Entertainment since the beginning of her career, supposedly ended her business relationship with Robinson earlier this week.
There are multiple rumors as to why the pair is ending their business relationship, but one rep for Keys -- she has two -- told BV Buzz that it was "amicable" and sent a joint statement on behalf of the singer and her former manager.
"Jeff Robinson, CEO of MBK Entertainment Inc., and 12 time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys have decided to change the structure of their business relationship. Robinson and Keys will continue to collaborate and produce future albums together through MBK/J Records while Alicia will now oversee all aspects of her own personal career. MBK Entertainment Inc. has been the management firm for Alicia Keys since she was a teenager -- guiding every facet of her career, including the international success of her Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum albums, films and branding opportunities. Keys and Robinson have been partners for over a decade and would like opportunities to pursue other endeavors. Their decision is mutually agreed upon and amicable," the statement read.
"This decision will allow Alicia more control over all aspects of her career from singing and songwriting, to leading many business ventures and social causes," the statement to BV Buzz continued. "Keys' company, AK Worldwide, will now have responsibility and oversight for Alicia's touring, endorsements, sponsorships, licensing, new business development, television and film ventures. MBK, a multifaceted entertainment company with a film, television, publishing and independent marketing divisions, will have the opportunity to focus on developing the careers of new, young talented artists. The company will also delve deeper into the gospel music format with their newly formed Glory to Glory Records."
According to Beatz's ex-wife Mashonda, the 'Karma' singer supposedly began her relationship with the 31-year-old producer in December of 2007 though the couple was still married. Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, apparently made his then-wife aware of his extramarital affair with Keys on Mother's Day in 2008.
Beatz's child with Keys will be his third.
For related stories, read: 'CONFIRMED: Alicia Keys is Pregnant'
& 'Rep: Alicia Keys, Baby 'Fine' After Fall During Essence Music Festival.'
Black Music Notes Mar. 19
3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'
Getty Images
3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'
Jemal Countess, WireImage
3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.
Evening Standard / Getty Images
3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.
Santiago Llanquin / AP
3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.
Zomba
3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.
Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic
3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'
Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images
Comments: (31)
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By: I'mjustsayin' on 7/16/2010 8:52PM
Dang....Swizz, must have her drugged. He already has two baby mommas, she gets pregnant from him WHILE he is still married. His child support is mysteriouly paid, and now she is "parting ways" with the manager that has been with her since day one.
I bet you a $1.25, that: 1) Swizz becomes her new manager 2) His 2.2 mil IRS debt is paid off pretty soon 3) they never get married and he strings her along, dumps her, and sues her for child support.
I see the forest AND the trees!!
Of course I am not wish this would happen, wouldn't wish it on anyone, but I am 41yrs old.... I know what I know. If they live happily ever after....more power to 'em!
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By: The truth about Alicia on 7/16/2010 10:43PM
Who gives a care about her parting ways with her manager .. Element of Freedom or /element of crap sold 1.3 million.. Just how many copies J Records purchased ??? 700k or 800k !!! No one in URBAN music is consistantly selling 11-13 thousand copies a week for 5 months straight!! Especially when none of her records are crossing over to Pop radio this time !! J Records will go bankrupt at this rate!!
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By: Eugene on 7/18/2010 12:27PM
Alicia is about to make the same mistake that Jennifer Lopez made when she dumped Benny Medina as her long-time manager. Her career was hot then she dumped him and now she is an afterthought. Alicia reconsider this decision.
As far as Alicia only selling 1.3 million copies of Element of Freedom Alicia and these other artists need to get hip to the fact that these record companies are using this down economy as yet another way to fudge album sales. Okay Alicia sold 1.3 million copies of Element of Freedom on compact disc, but how many copies did she sell digitally through the likes of iTunes, Napster, and other places where you can download albums.
This is not some conspiracy theory because history has shown that record companies have screwed their artists (and in particular black artists) out of money that they were due. So it would not surprise me if the record label and the websites where you download albums from are evenly splitting money that really should be going to the artist.
This is something that entertainment attorneys are really going to have to start investigating thoroughly because something is very fishy, especially when big named artists see such dramatic drops in album sales from their previous release.
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By: BG on 7/16/2010 10:52PM
Can anyone just tell me why black women have no class?
As palatable and precious as Alicia is with an outstanding career and a robust future ahead, why settle for this. I mean Swizz?
I know most black women are losing their men to the whites but common Alicia.
Why is it that nearly all female black singers don't look for love outside of the music industry?
Alicia, Whitney Houston etc. will be appealing to a New york trial lawyer, a top dentist, a New York investment banker, a renowned cardiologist, a top dermatologist, and CEO's.
Why this classless acts?
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By: Shellfish789 on 7/17/2010 5:56AM
BG.....Black women do have class......what are you talking about?....BW have lots of class...you are just looking at entertainers......why not look at regular working class BW who have accomplished a lot...and the other comment about BW losing BM....we are not losing them....they have lost themselves when the opportunities arises and then BM lose themselves again after the world have used and abused them and spit them out and hang them out to dry...so BW have not lost the BM.....they lost themselves......
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By: OOOZZZZZ on 7/17/2010 3:31AM
Quote by I'mjustsayin': "Dang....Swizz, must have her drugged".
Alicia Keyes is drugged: in total infatuation; love and lust probably for the first time ever in her adult life but in the "blind" way walking around with total, immature tunnel vision.
And Swizz Beatz knows it (she's totally dependent on him emotionally and he's gonna keep her that way until she finally wakes up) and he is using that love for him to control her, guide her and use that control to his advantage.
IMO, Swizz Beatz is one of those fucked up brothers who pimps; has to totally use and control women in order to make it in life and he purposely swwks out and prays upon that weakness in some women and people in general.
Alicia Keyes is a superstar singer & musician but in the world of love and men, she seems like a very immature little school girl, an immature rookie and you can talk, write and sing about love & realtionships all you want but if you have never been there, then you don't know and for Alicia, Every guy in Hollywood has probably tried to get with Alicia and Swizz Beatz got her...he won the prize and unfortunately, this will be her "true introduction" to love and it seems to be riddled with problems from the start that she did not even recognize (cheating with a married man, breaking up a marriage, being single & gettin'pregeant and Swizz Beatz had huge tax & financial problems.)...and because she did see all of his bullshyt standing directly in front of her, tells me that she's young, gullible & immature.
And since she's pregeant, It's all emotional right now for Alicia...and for Swizz Beatz? He has where where he wants her and all the fellas are slapping high fives & cheering.
Everything, the sudden changes that she doing now, leaving her long-time manager who made her extremely successful, in order to "allow Alicia more control over all aspects of her career from singing and songwriting, to leading many business ventures and social causes," has Swizz Beatz written all over it and whatever she does, he will be right there: a large looming influence in her decisions and when a controlling person interferes, then things will get worse.
And because Alicia is a guaranteed cash cow money maker and he needs major money to pay his debts, he is going to ride her like a race horse in the Kentucky Derby (she already fell on stage while pregeant in high heels when she should have been more careful) in order to benefit himself and I agree with I'mjustsayin', that 2.2 mil tax bill will get paid through the sweat of Alicia hard work and her bank account.....Alicia will get a really good education messin' with this guy, she's stuck with him for life because of the baby and when she finally wakes up from the blind fog of infactuation, love and lust that she's currently living in, she will forever be a changed woman and hopefully (if she wakes up) not a corrupted & scorned one....and I hope that drugs are not in play and that it does not get physical...but it probably will.
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By: OOOZZZZZ on 7/17/2010 3:49AM
In the third paragraph, the word "swwks" should be "seeks".
And one last thing,
Her leaving her long time manager? That's probably not the only long term person or persona in her life that she left behind since gettin' with Swizz Beatz because controlling people, expecially controlling men, don't like other men with of influence or any man (in this case, her former manager) having any types of control, influence and friendly relationships with his woman because it sesse up him game. He seeks total control of her (and that baby maybe a part of that control) and it takes away from his power, privacy, influence and isolation of that woman.
Don't get the musician, celebrity, wealth and superstar Alicia Keyes mixed up with the real & actual person who is Alicia Keyes.....they are two different people and she's in for a long ride with ths guy
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By: evett726 on 7/22/2010 12:46PM
Got Prenup?
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By: David1 on 7/17/2010 8:15AM
I agree with OOOZZZZZ. Anyone with eyes in their head can see how this situation is going to play out. I agree with others who say that this guy Swizz Beatz has something to do with her leaving her longtime management. After Keys wakes up and sees this guy for what he is she'll be on that bitter azz Oprah show crying about how there aint no good black men out there. LOL She'll be warning other young black women to "stay away" from that sort of black man! LOL
We have heard this cautionary tale from so many hypocritical black women in the media like Jill Scott, Sherrie Shepherd, Pam Grier etc who make bad choices in men but wont take responsibility for them. Sad but Alicia Keys will be just another statistic of yet another black babymomma not taking responsibility for her bad choices in men.
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By: Sus7637 on 7/19/2010 8:08AM
DAVID1 SHUT THE F UP ABOUT DOWNING OPRAH. ITS OLD AND TIRED.... AND YOUR A SELF HATER THATS HATING ON YOUR OWN BECAUSE BLK WMN ARE A REFLECTION OF YOU!
SICK AND TIRED OF ALL YOU BITTER BROKE ASS BASTARD-BITCHES KNOCKIN OPRAH BECAUSE SHE WASN'T SITTING ON HER ASS COMPLAINING AND WITH HER HANDS OUT FOR OTHERS TO GIVE HER! PPL HAVE CHOICES AND ITS NOT OPRAH'S CHOICE WHO COMES TO HER SHOWS AND SITS ON HER STAGE (GET IT RIGHT)!
ITS NOT OPRAHS'S RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE WORLD AND HAND OUT HER HARD EARNED MONEY THAT NOBODY GAVE HER TO TAKE CARE OF LOSERS, BUMS, AND DON'T WANNABE'S.
ALICIA ON THE OTHER HAND: SHE KNEW IT WAS WRONG TO GET INVOLVED WITH THAT SITUATION... WHEN SHE SEE THE MAN IS A CHEATER AND NO GOOD. LOOK WHAT HE DID TO HIS WIFE AND TOLD HER ON MOTHERS DAY.
SOMETHING LIKE THAT WON'T BE SMOOTH SAILING FOR HER.
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