One of the special moments in Alicia Keys‘ The Untold Story docuseries is when she and 11-year-old son Egypt watch a clip of him accompanying her on piano as she sang “Raise a Man” at an awards show in 2019.
The 15-time Grammy winner says she became very emotional, with tears of joy.
“I’m not the crying type, I’m really not,” Alicia tells People. “[But] you get so sensitive just [thinking] about how life goes on, and seeing him next to me and remembering that moment. That moment was the first time that he performed with me on stage, and I remember being completely so wrapped up in him being okay because I asked him to do it.”
Egypt first resisted the request to perform with his mother, but eventually agreed.
“I was so nervous for him that I remember at midnight the night before the show, I realized I hadn’t even practiced,” Alicia said. “I remember all of this and I’m sitting there watching it with him and just…how I feel about him and seeing his growth and watching him go on stage and just completely own — it just hit me like a ton of bricks.”
Egypt is the oldest of two boys Alicia has with husband Swizz Beatz. She says he’s full of talent.
“He’s definitely a natural,” she said. “He’s been a natural since he was a baby, and he loves it, and I’m glad that he loves it. … He’s a lot like me. He’s the life of the party, he’s the one that kind of brings everyone together. He looks out for everyone, he’s that guy. And I love that about him.”
Keys, who turned 40 in January, celebrated her 11th wedding anniversary with Swizz, 43, in July.
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