Alicia Keys’ ‘Underdog’ is a masterclass in using one’s voice to stick up for the people.

Over the years, Keys has become an icon in terms of how she goes above and beyond to raise awareness for a number of causes dear to her heart. In ‘Underdog’, Keys deploys the steady, refreshing rhythm of an acoustic guitar to lay down a comforting, conversational mood as the background echoes with her vocal croons. Her lyrical work, as usual, is enthralling; the first verse sets up the story of a woman building a connection with a homeless man, sharing ‘one conversation’, a ‘single moment’. The tempo of the composition moves along briskly enough to keep the listener intrigued, as they barely get the chance to absorb one line before it slips away into the next. The chorus itself is a burst of inspiration as the cadence picks up and the bass cuts in, and Keys’ stunning voice begins to exude a sense of power. 

The chorus is compelling and inclusive, ensuring to take note of all the ‘underdogs’ for whom she goes out on a limb. From the single mothers to the student doctors to the sons on the frontline, Keys’ lyricism makes it a point to cater to each and every individual out there, invoking their strength and forming a community out of their underdog status. The background clicks and snaps continue to exude a vivacious quality, the slight gospel themes emerging through the gaps in vocals. The accompanying music video depicts those themes to the tee, featuring extensive motifs of togetherness, love, and self-acceptance through a diverse, radiant cast of individuals. 

The coming year is set to be one of the most significant in Keys’ career, with launching her seventh studio album ALICIA, her first in four years, hosting the Grammys for the second time and releasing her book Much More in a few months. She has been an artist extraordinaire for the better part of twenty years now, and by now has a core set of fans that will follow her to the ends of the earth.

 Singer-songwriter