Alicia Keys Pops Up at ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ to Salute Yolanda Adams' Broadway Debut, Talks 'Beautiful' New Holiday Song
In what marked a special moment for the cast and crew of her semi-autobiographical Broadway musical "Hell's Kitchen", 17-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys made a surprise appearance at the Shubert Theatre alongside the cast. The performance included a mini-set as part of an "encore sessions" performance, but it was also meant to be a tribute to the show's newest addition, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, who recently joined the cast as Miss Liza Jane.
Keys was effusive about her collaboration with Adams, describing their rendition of a holiday song for the musical as a 'beautiful' take on the standard "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The track, titled "Hell's Kitchen's a Merry Little Christmas," combines Keys' own composition, "The Gospel," with the classic holiday tune. Alongside principal performers Amanda Reid, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Jessica Vosk, Adams lends her powerful voice to the recording.
In an interview with Billboard prior to her Broadway debut, Keys discussed the idea of creating a holiday song for "Hell's Kitchen" that was first pitched a year ago but ultimately didn't come together. This time around, however, she felt it was meant to be, and worked closely with Adams and the rest of the cast to bring it to life.
Keys expressed her gratitude towards Adams, acknowledging how much she admired the veteran singer's work in the gospel genre. She has been impressed by Adams' voice and presence since first seeing her perform live, and is thrilled that they could create something special together.
With a new holiday song released alongside her feature on Italian vocalist Eros Ramazzotti's single "L'aurora," Keys feels that she's entering a period of musical growth. She has been inspired to try new things, including singing in Italian for the first time, and is excited to continue working on new material.
For Keys, there is something special about creating music at this moment in her career, citing it as "a beautiful time of no limits." By taking her time and focusing on the art, she feels like she's getting better with each passing day.
In what marked a special moment for the cast and crew of her semi-autobiographical Broadway musical "Hell's Kitchen", 17-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys made a surprise appearance at the Shubert Theatre alongside the cast. The performance included a mini-set as part of an "encore sessions" performance, but it was also meant to be a tribute to the show's newest addition, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, who recently joined the cast as Miss Liza Jane.
Keys was effusive about her collaboration with Adams, describing their rendition of a holiday song for the musical as a 'beautiful' take on the standard "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The track, titled "Hell's Kitchen's a Merry Little Christmas," combines Keys' own composition, "The Gospel," with the classic holiday tune. Alongside principal performers Amanda Reid, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Jessica Vosk, Adams lends her powerful voice to the recording.
In an interview with Billboard prior to her Broadway debut, Keys discussed the idea of creating a holiday song for "Hell's Kitchen" that was first pitched a year ago but ultimately didn't come together. This time around, however, she felt it was meant to be, and worked closely with Adams and the rest of the cast to bring it to life.
Keys expressed her gratitude towards Adams, acknowledging how much she admired the veteran singer's work in the gospel genre. She has been impressed by Adams' voice and presence since first seeing her perform live, and is thrilled that they could create something special together.
With a new holiday song released alongside her feature on Italian vocalist Eros Ramazzotti's single "L'aurora," Keys feels that she's entering a period of musical growth. She has been inspired to try new things, including singing in Italian for the first time, and is excited to continue working on new material.
For Keys, there is something special about creating music at this moment in her career, citing it as "a beautiful time of no limits." By taking her time and focusing on the art, she feels like she's getting better with each passing day.
it's like she was meant to be there all along because that collab on "Hell's Kitchen's a Merry Little Christmas" is giving me LIFE!!!!!!! the way they combined her song "The Gospel" with the holiday classic is pure MAGIC 
and can we talk about how proud I am of Yolanda Adams for joining the cast? she's been slaying in the gospel genre for years and now she's bringing that same power to broadway 
meanwhile Alicia Keys is just spreading love and positivity everywhere she goes, and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
. Like, yes we get it, you're entering a period of musical growth... how original. And can't believe she's actually going to release some lame holiday song featuring Yolanda Adams... like anyone was really waiting for that 
. And let's be real, Keys' whole thing is just a marketing ploy to get more attention and sell some more albums... I'm not buying it 
.
so Alicia Keys makes a surprise appearance at 'Hell's Kitchen' to pay tribute to Yolanda Adams, which is super cool 
. I think it's great that they're collaborating on a new holiday song - it sounds like a beautiful take on the classic tune 
. I'm curious to hear how Adams' powerful voice is gonna bring the track to life 
. And it's lovely that Keys is admiring Adams' work and vice versa 
. Maybe this collaboration is just what Keys needs to keep pushing boundaries and trying new things 
.
. The whole "beautiful time of no limits" thing is so relatable - who wouldn't want that kind of creative freedom? 
she said it was a beautiful collab on the holiday song and im totally agreein! ive been listening to "Hell's Kitchen's a Merry Little Christmas" nonstop 
. she seems really down-to-earth and grateful for the opportunity to work with Adams and the cast. plus its awesome that they're releasing a holiday single together 
i feel like this is such a great time for music and Keys is right where she's meant to be at the moment 
I am literally so stoked for Alicia Keys right now!!! She's been a queen of music for ages & to see her pop up at 'Hell's Kitchen' was just AMAZING 
, especially considering the timing. It's awesome that she got to collaborate with Adams and create a beautiful holiday song that blends their styles. I love how Keys is embracing new opportunities and experimenting with different sounds, like singing in Italian for the first time