Kaleidoscope (Alicia Keys song)

"Kaleidoscope" was released on March 22, 2024, through AKW Records as the lead single from the soundtrack album of the 2024 Broadway musical Hell's Kitchen. The song is performed by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys and stage actress Maleah Joi Moon.[1][2]

"Kaleidoscope"
Single by Alicia Keys and Maleah Joi Moon
from the album Hell's Kitchen Soundtrack
ReleasedMarch 22, 2024 (2024-03-22)
Recorded2023
GenreR&B
Length4:00
LabelAKW Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Breyan Isaac
  • Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Lifeline"
(2023)
"Kaleidoscope"
(2024)
"Finally"
(2024)
Music video
"Kaleidoscope" on YouTube

Background and release

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In June 2023, Keys announced she had written her first jukebox musical Hell's Kitchen inspired by her own life and career in New York City.[3][4] The play features some of Keys's best known songs, as well as new music written by Keys specifically for the play: "River," "Seventeen," and "Kaleidoscope".[5]

The Off-Broadway musical ran from October 24, 2023, to January 14, 2024, as part of The Public Theater's 2023–24 season.[6][7] On December 4, 2023, Alicia Keys announced that the production will transfer to the Shubert Theatre on Broadway.[8][9] The song was official released the lead single from the Broadway musical soundtrack album on March 22, 2024.[10]

Composition

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In an interview for Entertainment Weekly Keys explained the meaning of the song and its composition process:

"It's that feeling when everything is spectacular and there's this moment that becomes illuminated. "Kaleidoscope" was one of those where we knew that it wanted to feel joyful and fun. It started one way, and as we went on, we realized, "You know what? We need a whole dance." So, how are we going to add this increased musicality so that they can be feeling that essence of this kaleidoscopic feeling? Each time it grows and grows and grows.[11]"

Live performances

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The song was firstly performed during Hell's Kitchen's Off-Broadway premiere on October 24, 2023, at The Public Theater.[12] On March 22, 2024, Alicia Keys performed the song with the musical lead actress Maleah Joi Moon and the casts at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[13][14] Maliah Joi Moon and the cast of Hell's Kitchen performed the song on Today on May 14, 2023.[15]

Music video

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The official music video was published on Keys YouTube account on April 12, 2024.[16] The video featured Keys herself, Maleah Joi Moon and the casts of Hell's Kitchen and was filmed at Manhattan Plaza in New York City.[17]

Credits and personnel

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Adapted from Kaleidoscope liner notes.

Personnel

  • Written by Ben Billions, Breyan Isaac, Alicia Keys, Gamal Kosh Lewis
  • Produced by Breyan Isaac and Alicia Keys
  • Co-produced by Adam Blackstone
  • Lead vocals: Alicia Keys and Maleah Joi Moon
  • Background vocals: Chad Carstarphen, Vanessa Ferguson, Jakeim Hart, Jackie Leon, Lamont Walker II, Rema Webb, Nyseli Vega
  • Engineered by Dave Kutch, Ann Mincieli and Brendan Morawski
  • Assistant engineer: Frank Holland, Steven Tejeda and Roberto Regeiro
  • Mixed by Ken Lewis

References

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  1. ^ Major, Michael (March 21, 2024). "HELL'S KITCHEN to Perform on THE TONIGHT SHOW This Week". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "HELL'S KITCHEN A NEW MUSICAL ON BROADWAY DEBUTS AN ORIGINAL NEW SONG BY ALICIA KEYS "KALEIDOSCOPE" FEAT. MALEAH JOI MOON". PR Newswire. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  3. ^ Mier, Tomás (June 1, 2023). "Alicia Keys Announces Opening of Musical Loosely Based on Her Life, Featuring Her Hits". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Paulson, Michael (2023-06-01). "Alicia Keys Is Making a Musical. Her Own Life Inspired the Story". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  5. ^ Russo, Gillian (August 4, 2023). "Hear the songs of Alicia Keys in 'Hell's Kitchen' off Broadway". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Evans, Greg (2023-06-01). "Alicia Keys Musical Hell's Kitchen Set For Fall Opening At New York's Public Theater". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  7. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (October 12, 2023). "Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen Extends Upcoming World Premiere at The Public". Playbill. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Paulson, Michael (December 4, 2023). "Alicia Keys's 'Hell's Kitchen' to Open on Broadway This Spring". The New York Times. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Huston, Caitlin (December 4, 2023). "Alicia Keys Musical Hell's Kitchen to Open on Broadway This Spring". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Evans, Greg (March 22, 2024). "Alicia Keys Releases 'Kaleidoscope' Single From Broadway's 'Hell's Kitchen'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Lee Lenker, Maureen (March 22, 2024). "Alicia Keys and 'Hell's Kitchen' book writer introduce new song 'Kaleidoscope'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Oleksinski, Johnny (November 20, 2023). "'Hell's Kitchen' review: Alicia Keys' show sounds great, lacks story". New York Post. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  13. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (March 21, 2024). "Listen: Maleah Joi Moon Debuts a New Alicia Keys Song Written for Hell's Kitchen". Playbill. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Miller, Lex (March 22, 2024). "Alicia Keys Spills The Tea On 'Hell's Kitchen,' "Kaleidoscope," and More". iHeartRadio. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2024-05-14). "Watch: Best Musical Nominee Hell's Kitchen Performs 'Fallin,' 'No One,' and 'Kaleidoscope' on Today". Playbill. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  16. ^ Molly, Higgins (April 12, 2024). "Video: Watch Alicia Keys, Maleah Joi Moon Perform 'Kaleidoscope' in New Hell's Kitchen Music Video". Playbill. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Wild, Stephi (April 12, 2024). "Video: Watch a New Music Video For 'Kaleidoscope' From HELL'S KITCHEN". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.