Blended Family (What You Do for Love) explained

Blended Family
(What You Do for Love)
Cover:Alicia Keys - Blended Family (What You Do For Love).png
Type:single
Artist:Alicia Keys featuring ASAP Rocky
Album:Here
Genre:R&B
Label:RCA
Chronology:Alicia Keys
Prev Title:Back to Life
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Us
Next Year:2018

"Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" is a song by American recording artist Alicia Keys, featuring vocals from rapper ASAP Rocky. It was written by Keys, Rocky, John Bush, Brandon Aly, Tish Hyman, Dave Kuncio, John Houser, Kenneth Withrow and Edie Brickell for her sixth studio album Here (2016), while production was helmed by Keys and Mark Batson.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The song refers to the former marriage of Keys' husband Swizz Beatz and musician Mashonda Tifrere. It was released on October 7, 2016 by RCA Records.

Background and release

The song is inspired by family and in particular the themes are those of adoption and extended families. Keys was inspired by her family composed of her husband Swizz Beatz, their two sons Egypt Daoud Dean and Genesis Ali Dean, and Beatz's son Kasseem Dean Jr from his previous marriage with Mashonda Tifrere.[6] Keys, following the controversy that arose due to the alleged dating of the singer-songwriter with Beatz,[7] dedicated the song to Tifrere, writing:[8]

«The understanding, compassion and support we’ve found is a powerful testament to the healing that comes when we choose love. Especially for the kids … the most important part of our lives. Celebrating Mashonda for our commitment to each other with support and true growth»

Critical reception

Nina Corcoran from Consequence of Sound wrote that "It’s an uplifting song" and "an ode to inclusion at large as well as her own multiracial marriage" while being "the only radio-styled hit on the album".[9] According to Nolan Feeney from Entertainment Weekly, the song is a "love letter to her step-children that touches on her time in the tabloids" and named the song one of the key tracks on the album [10] Allison Gauss from Medium wrote that the song is driven by an "authentic story", adding that "the intimate details in the verses make you believe the song in a way generalizations never could".[11] Reviewing Here for Salon, David Masciotra wrote that the song is a "beautiful and infectious blend of hip hop and soulful pop" and opined that the song, discusses "how “love can bring us closer than blood” when divorce, single motherhood, death, and remarriage created families out of the present parts".[12]

Music video

The music video, filmed in black-and-white, was released on November 11, 2016, and features both Keys and ASAP Rocky.[13] In September 2017 it was revealed on IMDb that the video was directed by Hype Williams.[14]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 9
South Korea International (Gaon)[16] 60

Year-end charts

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
Various<-- Worldwide is impossible to source every single inhabited country on the planet. -->October 7, 2016Digital downloadRCA[18]
ItalyOctober 14, 2016Contemporary hit radioSony[19]
United StatesNovember 15, 2016Rhythmic contemporaryRCA[20]
Contemporary hit radio[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hear Alicia Keys and ASAP Rocky's Emotional Family Love Song "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)" . . October 6, 2016 . October 6, 2016 . Mench, Chris.
  2. Web site: Alicia Keys's New Song Will 'Celebrate' Swizz Beatz's Ex-Wife . . October 6, 2016 . October 6, 2016 . Orcutt, KC.
  3. Alicia Keys Releasing 'Here' on Nov. 4; Listen to 'Blended Family' Single with A$AP Rocky . . October 7, 2016 . October 7, 2016 . Kaufman, Gil.
  4. Hear Alicia Keys' Heartfelt Ode 'Blended Family' With A$AP Rocky . . October 7, 2016 . October 7, 2016 . Blistein, Jon.
  5. Web site: Alicia Keys Announces New Album Here, Shares A$AP Rocky Collab "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)": Listen . . October 7, 2016 . October 7, 2016 . Pearce. Sheldon.
  6. Web site: Alicia Keys Tells the Inspiration Behind New Video for 'Blended Family'. 2021-09-02. ABC News. en.
  7. Web site: Alicia Keys: Love and Family. live. 2021-09-02. Essence. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719213707/https://www.essence.com/beauty/shea-moisture-fund-2021/ . July 19, 2021 .
  8. Web site: 2016-10-06. My new song Blended Family (What You Do For Love)! » Alicia Keys. 2021-09-02. Alicia Keys. en-US. September 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210902192337/https://aliciakeys.com/news/music/new-song-blended-family-love/. dead.
  9. Web site: Alicia Keys – Here. Consequence of Sound. Nina. Corcoran. 2016-11-14. 2024-06-15.
  10. Nolan. Feeney. Alicia Keys' Here: EW Review. . 2016-11-09 . 2024-06-15.
  11. Web site: Gauss . Allison . 15 Reasons HERE by Alicia Keys Is So Good . . 2017-02-17. 2024-06-15.
  12. Web site: The gospel of Alicia Keys: In an era dominated by phony vulgarity, she stands for wisdom, authenticity and genuine artistic vision. Masciotra, David. Salon. 2017-03-11. 2018-06-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161355/https://www.salon.com/2017/03/11/the-gospel-of-alicia-keys-in-an-era-dominated-by-phony-vulgarity-she-stands-for-wisdom-authenticity-and-genuine-artistic-vision/. live.
  13. Web site: Alicia Keys Celebrates Her 'Blended Family' in New Video . . November 11, 2016 . November 11, 2016 . Penrose, Natasha.
  14. Web site: Alicia Keys Feat. A$AP Rocky: Blended Family (What You do for Love). IMDb. November 11, 2016.
  15. Web site: NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. October 17, 2016. October 14, 2016.
  16. Web site: 2016년 42주차 Digital Chart. ko. Gaon Music Chart. March 14, 2022.
  17. 2017 Year End Chart: ADULT R&B SONGS. Billboard. January 30, 2019.
  18. Worldwide digital release of "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)":
  19. News: ALICIA KEYS "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" (Radio Date: 14/10/2016). February 5, 2017. Radio Date.
  20. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases . All Access . October 26, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161025234156/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases . October 25, 2016 . dead.
  21. Web site: Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases . All Access . November 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161115114836/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. November 15, 2016.