Alicia Keys Speaks Out About Female Representation in the Music Industry

Alicia Keys is on the cover of Billboard‘s 2020 Grammy Nominations Guide, out on newsstands on Saturday (December 7).

Here’s what the “If I Ain’t Got You” singer had to say…

On her first Grammys in 2002: “It was strange because here is my biggest dream, and I was like, ‘I’m from Hell’s Kitchen. I can’t even speak right. What am I doing here?’ And then this unbelievably magical night culminated in validation. You know that foggy, sick, headcold feeling? That, mixed with the exhilaration.”

On her approach to hosting: “I wanted to create this lovefest where we could celebrate each other’s greatness and just have fun. We’re all trying to make our way through a very chaotic time, and we all just need a little celebration — to feel like we’re with friends, like somebody actually cares.”

On the lack of female representation in the music industry, and striving to improve it at the Grammys: “It’s obvious shit is upside-down. There’s not enough balance of power. With a woman like Deborah [Dugan] in a leadership position — that is obviously necessary. [Hosting] felt right for me, because I knew that a lot of women were nominated, and that it was really about the women for the show.”

For more from Alicia, head to Billboard.com.