Alicia Keys' music has always been about a delicate balance of influences. She sits at her keyboard and conjures up sounds that blend the richness of classic soul and the grit of hip-hop. As part of our big Girl on Fire cover roll-out we asked her to pick the 25 albums.

It wasn't an easy task narrowing down Alicia's musical palette, but she came up with a list as funky and eclectic as you'd expect it to be—a little bit of soul, a little bit of rap, a touch of reggae and alternative too. Here they all are, presented in chronological order with commentary by Keys herself.

1. Nina Simone, Pastel Blues (1965)
Alicia Keys: "What an amazing artist! She is the first woman that I was ever introduced to that played classical piano and melded it with her own style and emotions! I think the whole world should know and respect Nina Simone as I believe she is one of the absolute GREATS! The song 'Sinnerman' on this record is one of my all time favorites and whenever I hear her music, it reminds me to be as different, and skillful, and brave that I can be. And this song is the best way to feel this way."

2. Aretha Franklin, Lady Soul (1968)
Alicia Keys: "Ms. Aretha is one of my main go to’s for inspiration. Her piano playing, gospel, soul style is something that you literally have to be DEAD not to feel and she always brings me light and strength even through her most vulnerable performances. 'Ain't No Way' is one of my favorite songs in the world. You can tell that song was one of the realest moments in her life. That is music at its best. Capturing an honest moment!"

3. The Beatles, Abbey Road (1969)
Alicia Keys: "For my last Black Ball (which is the fundraiser for my organization Keep a Child Alive) we did a tribute to George Harrison and played a lot of Beatles songs. It was the first time I really had an opportunity to breakdown each song and see why the Beatles are so amazing. They have this way of creating something simple and deep at the same time. Something easy and complex simultaneously is actually mind blowing—how good they are! This album is surely one of my faves."

4. Jackson 5, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (1969)/ABC (1970)
Alicia Keys: "The Jackson Five is one of my favorites. Songs like 'The Love You Save,' 'I Want You Back,' and their cover of 'Who’s Lovin You' are up there with some of the greatest of all time. And here they were, a young family making their first record and having such an incredible impact. There’s nothing you can’t do! And the hits just came coming—it's hard to pick one record because I love so many other tracks that came later like 'Can You Feel It' and 'Maria.' There are too many to count!"

5. Marvin Gaye, What's Going On? (1971)
Alicia Keys: "Marvin Gaye is the first person who taught me to write from a place of experience and talk about what was right in front of me. And his style of background vocal production is something that I listen to all of the time for inspiration. My favorites are 'Flying High in a Friendly Sky' and 'Wholy Holy.'"

6. Curtis Mayfield, Super Fly (1972)
Alicia Keys: "Oh my goodness the music on this album is incredible. The way it swells and flows and the pain and longing it takes you through is some of the best there ever was. This album is so epic because of the way it perfectly coincided with the movie and how an artist can embody a moment in time like that. Totally innovative."

7. Stevie Wonder, Music of My Mind (1972)
8. Stevie Wonder, Innervisions (1973)
9. Stevie Wonder, Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)
10. Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life (1976)

Alicia Keys "Stevie Wonder is a creativity kickstart for me because he consistently writes songs that defy gravity. He reminds me that in order to be the best musician I can be, I have to be open to experimenting. Some of my favorites of his are 'Superwoman,' 'All in Love is Fair,' 'You and I' and 'They Won’t Go When I Go.' As you can see by the number of albums on my list, I could name a million of his songs for inspiration."

11. Bob Marley & the Wailers, Exodus (1977)
Alicia Keys: "Bob Marley is complete energy! When I put on this album it takes me to another world and reminds me to use my voice to speak truth and love."

12. Patrice Rushen, Straight from the Heart (1982)
Alicia Keys: "I Love Patrice Rushen! As a producer, writer and keyboard player she is the real thing. And the grooves that she creates are so incredible—I know she was in the studio running ****! ;-) She’s a powerful woman that inspires me to create timeless music! On this record, I listen to 'Where There is Love.'"

13. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
Alicia Keys: "I’m always inspired by Michael's marriage of incredible lyrics and unbelievable production. When I want to make something timeless I’ll always reference Michael Jackson. I think one of the best songs in the whole world is 'Billie Jean.' I can go on and on about MJ."

14. Prince, Purple Rain (1984)
Alicia Keys: "Prince is a legend and this album sealed the deal. From 'Let's Go Crazy' to 'When Doves Cry' and 'I Would Die 4 U,' this album is so great to listen to. But the song 'The Beautiful Ones' melts me every time—his passion is so tangible! This is really an intense song about the deepest longing and the frustration of unrequited love. Whenever I listen to it, it reminds me of that feeling."

15. Prince, Sign "☮" the Times (1987)
Alicia Keys: "This album is incredibly inspiring for me. The way he experiments with sounds and drums and voices is really amazing. He was really thinking out of the box for this one. But my favorite thing is how he conceptualizes songs. Like in 'The Ballad of Dorothy Parker 'or 'Starfish and Coffee.' Seriously there is no one like him!"

16. Dr. Dre, The Chronic (1992)
Alicia Keys: "One of the rawest albums of all time! And the way he mixed P-Funk and took it to a whole other level was totally infectious. I also love this album because it is totally cohesive from top to bottom."

17. Sade, Love Deluxe (1992)
Alicia Keys: "Sade is a world all her own. I love that when I listen to her music it makes me feel like I’m watching the sunset in a purple sky. Her voice is so soft and smooth yet so emotive and powerful. Her voice is like water and she flows like no one else in the universe. Some favorites are: 'Cherish the Day,' 'Love is Stronger than Pride,' and 'Woman in Somalia.'"

18. The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)
Alicia Keys: "This is one of my absolute favorite albums! Biggie is one of the best MC’s there ever was and for me he really inspired me to think deeper about how far you can take concepts of songs and where they can take you. He had a way of being lyrical, witty and emotional and that is a lethal combination. Honestly my favorite Biggie song on this album is 'Me and My Bitch'—I know it sounds crazy but this song about love in the life of a hustler, really painted a vivid picture for me."

19. Nas, Illmatic (1994)
Alicia Keys: "Nas is someone who I’ve admired lyrically since his first record and he’s somebody that always comes up with new original concepts. As a writer, that’s always inspiring to hear. On this record some of my favorites are 'NY State of Mind' and 'The World is Yours.'"

20. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
Alicia Keys: "I love this album! This is truly the epitome of that time in my life as a young artist dying to become known in the music world. This album really gave me tremendous inspiration! It is heartfelt, innovative...where soul meets hip-hop in the most organic way. Lauryn Hill is incredible and this album holds a beautiful place in my conscious."

21. Feist, Let It Die (2004)
Alicia Keys: "This album was introduced to me by John Legend who actually played the title song for me while we were writing—he played it on the piano and sang it at first. It was so striking, I said, 'What is that?" And then he played me the actual record and it instantly became a favorite for me. The way her voice breaks is so moving. She totally caught pure honesty and that's inspiring."

22. Bob Sinclair, Western Dream (2006)
Alicia Keys: "I love how Bob Sinclair mixes so many styles together! To me that’s what makes his music, world music, it’s something that everyone can relate to in their own way. This album makes me think of summer!"

23. Radiohead, In Rainbows (2007)
Alicia Keys: "Every once in a while a band comes along that pushes boundaries but still makes you feel and personally connect with their music. Radiohead always does that for me. In Rainbows is a great example of a band doing exactly what it wants to do regardless of what's popular or current. They have set a precedent while still staying true to their identity as a band. I love that! Some of my favorites are '15 Step,' 'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi' and 'All I Need.'"

24. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
Alicia Keys: "There's a simplicity and vulnerability in Justin Vernon's voice that's very easy to listen to. I love this debut album because it feels so lyrically intimate and like there's no one and nothing between you and it. No distracting production to take you away from the feeling. 'Skinny Love,' 'Flume,' and 'Blindsided' are some of the tracks I love."

25. Frank Ocean, Nostalgia, Ultra (2011)
Alicia Keys: "Frank Ocean is someone who has this great storytelling style that really takes you from the beginning to the end and helps to open my mind to ways of relaying an emotion. Whenever I play this record it reminds me of my first anniversary, driving in a vintage Corvette that we rented. We blasted the album the whole way. Some of my favorites are 'Swim Good' and the lyrics of the song 'We All Try' always move me. It's such a hopeful song with deep sentiment—at the heart of it, we're all trying to do our best. And that's so true."

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11...vorite-albums/

AMAZING TASTE

YASSS ALICIA STAN FOR THIS MASTERPIECE

great taste

In Rainbows

She got great taste...

She didn't lie

Let it Die

Abbey Road

good taste

I. Love. Alicia Keys. Her descriptions, too. What kind of dissertation?

Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Feist, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Aretha, and Nina

That Sade album

I'd listen to every album she listed, great collection.

This taste. Queens Nina and Sade
Pressed, panini?

Flawless taste!

14. Prince, Purple Rain (1984)
15. Prince, Sign "☮" the Times (1987)

Cute.

Amazing taste

????

Classic taste. A lot of boring albums.

She has cute taste. There are 6 of my favorite albums (and 2 Prince's ) and some boring choices. It's cool that out of the french DJs Bob Sinclar is her pick and not the awful and overrated Guetta but his name is not Sinclair but Sinclar.