Alicia Keys
Albums: Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), Alicia Keys Unplugged (2005)
Notable Songs: “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Unbreakable”
With Kanye’s early soul-inspired sound, it’s surprising it took until 2003 for the R&B world to come calling. While he co-produced the song “Jo Anne” by Trina & Tamara back in day, it wouldn't be until 2003 that he would work with another R&B artist. Unsurprisingly, it was Alicia Keys who came calling. 'Ye supplied Keys with her third top 10 hit, “You Don’t Know My Name.” It was also his first collaboration with noted R&B songwriter Harold Lilly, who went on to help Kanye write a number of R&B hits. Oh! And remember the part of the song where Alicia calls up the boy she’s singing about in the song? Kanye had to force her into the booth to record it.
'Ye also produced “Unbreakable,” off Keys’ 2005 Unplugged album. Maybe 'Ye will show up on Alicia’s much anticipated 2015 album, if he can find time between promoting his own album, going to Fashion Week, releasing his own clothing line, creating a video game and a million other things. Okay, yeah, maybe not, but one can dream, right?
