Alicia Keys drew on her roots when the singer launched into a duet with fellow New Yorker Method Man while covering “You’re All I Need” at the Barclay’s Center this weekend.
A duet with Maxwell was expected on “Fire We Make,” one of the favorites off her fifth album, Girl on Fire. And some fans got their hopes up Jay Z, a co-owner of the Brookyln venue, would make an appearance—aside from in video-form—during “Empire State of Mind.” But the Wu Tang Clan front man’s surprise performance wowed fans.
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“It feels so good to be home in New York City,” Keys told the crowd. “So, I’m thinking I’m gonna have to sing one of my favorite songs growing up.”
That’s when Keys launched into the 1995 hit by fellow R&B icon Mary J. Blige and Method Man, which was based on the 1968 Motown hit duet from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
The performance Saturday is the first of two in the city this week. She’ll also take the stage at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
The concerts are among the last of two dozen stops across North American cities on the Set The World On Fire tour before Keys takes her act overseas.