MTV Unplugged: Alicia Keys to To Debut on MTV Overdrive September 15th  8/30/05

MTV & Alicia Keys Debut Next Generation of 'Unplugged'

'MTV Unplugged: Alicia Keys' to Debut on MTV Overdrive September 15th with Bonus Footage & Features; MTV On-Air Premiere September 23rd at 10pm ET/PT Plus, MTV.com's The Leak to Premiere 'Alicia Keys Unplugged' Album October 4th, One Week Before CD & DVD Release on October 11th

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV today announced that it will debut the next generation of its popular live performance series, "Unplugged" by hosting the incomparable Alicia Keys. MTV will showcase the new "Unplugged" by setting the stage across its multiple platforms on-air, online, on broadband and more. Filmed July 14th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the unforgettable acoustic performance features a full set of Alicia's most acclaimed music, along with several new songs exclusive to her "Unplugged" performance. Keys is joined on stage by musical counterparts Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley and Adam Levine (Maroon 5) for several memorable collaborations.

"MTV Unplugged: Alicia Keys" will debut on Thursday, September 15th with an exclusive first look on MTV's broadband network, MTV Overdrive. Available through MTV.com, viewers will be able to watch the Unplugged performance in its entirety, plus see exclusive footage including MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway's in-depth interview with Alicia. On-air, "MTV Unplugged: Alicia Keys" will debut on MTV Friday, September 23rd at 10pm ET/PT.

"It's an honor to step into the spotlight of the MTV Unplugged concert series and share in the legacy that MTV has created with previously great Unplugged performances," said Alicia Keys. "This MTV Unplugged is such an amazing and eclectic musical experience which enabled me to arrange the songs with a new perspective, express myself musically, and connect with my fans on a different level then ever before. It's an honor that MTV is bringing back Unplugged for me and I can't wait for you to hear these new songs! You're going to love them."

"Much like our audience, Unplugged has evolved, and we are now excited to give fans multiple new ways on-air and online to experience this powerful performance series," said Christina Norman, President of MTV. "Additionally, timing couldn't be more perfect for us to showcase Alicia. She is a brilliant musician whose performance will be a profound addition to Unplugged's acclaimed history."

The "Alicia Keys Unplugged" album and DVD will hit stores on October 11th. One week prior, on October 4th, MTV.com's "The Leak" will give fans an exclusive opportunity to listen to the entire CD. As early as August 29th, fans will also have the opportunity to see the video premiere of "Unbreakable" for their enjoyment. Additionally, MTV.com will profile Alicia Keys as part of their "First Ladies" series, honoring great female musicians and performers. The feature will include new interview footage, live performance footage, and a video retrospective.

MTV's "Unplugged" concert series first debuted in 1989 showcasing popular musical artists playing acoustically in an intimate setting. The series is credited with starting an "acoustic revolution" among musicians, bringing acoustic instruments and arrangements back into the musical mainstream. Unplugged has received critical acclaim, spotlighting artists including Eric Clapton, who won six Grammys including Album of the Year for his performance, Nirvana who won Best Alternative Album Grammy for their Unplugged appearance, and Tony Bennett whose performance earned him Album of the Year honors. Other performers include Bob Dylan, Lauryn Hill, Neil Young, Alice in Chains, Alanis Morissette, LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, and now Alicia Keys.

In 2005, TIME magazine named Alicia Keys one of "The Most Influential People In The World". At age of 24, Alicia is a nine time Grammy Award winning artist whose debut record Songs In A Minor went on to sell more than 10 million copies. Alicia's critically acclaimed follow-up album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, has already sold over 7 million copies worldwide. Recently, Alicia completed a sold out national 32-city tour and still had time to author a New York Times best selling book called Tears for Water. Not only is Alicia an extraordinary musician and best selling author and ingenious producer, Alicia is also a humanitarian and philanthropist. As one of the Ambassadors for the charity Keep A Child Alive, Alicia has raised funds and awareness to provide lifesaving AIDS/HIV medicines to children in Africa. Currently, Alicia is collaborating on a film project with Oscar winner Halle Berry.

MTV "Unplugged" is executive produced and directed by Alex Coletti.

For complete information about Alicia Keys and her MTV Unplugged performance, visit http://www.MTV.com and http://www.AliciaKeys.net.

About MTV Networks:

MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite/TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, and Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide. 

SOURCE MTV

-0- 08/30/2005