Alicia Keys delivered a stunning performance of “Raise a Man” live, but it was her eight-year-old son, Egypt, who stole the spotlight with a surprise piano cameo that melted hearts. Opening the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards with her signature soul and grace, Keys captivated the audience—only to elevate the moment further when Egypt confidently joined her on stage during the bridge to accompany her on piano.
The family moment didn’t stop there. Keys’ husband, Swizz Beatz, and their younger son, Genesis, looked on proudly from the audience as the powerful musical exchange unfolded. Mid-performance, Keys switched over to piano herself and segued into her classic hit “You Don’t Know My Name,” with Egypt continuing to play behind her—keeping a solid rhythm and showing off his budding talent.
The performance, which aired from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on March 14, 2019, quickly gained traction online. With over 5.7 million YouTube views, fans flooded the comments with praise like, “Best artist ever—humble, classy, and full of soul,” and “The bond between Alicia and Egypt is beautiful. This just makes me smile.”
Since then, Egypt has continued to hone his musical abilities. In December 2022, he reunited with his mom for a touching piano duet of “Not Even the King.” Keys sang and played bass notes on piano while Egypt took the melody line, sharing the instrument in perfect harmony.
That same year, Egypt also impressed solo. During a concert in Mannheim, Germany, in front of 17,000 fans, he performed three solo piano pieces: “il vento d’oro” from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from Howl’s Moving Castle, and the Game of Thrones theme—all without Alicia by his side this time.
Egypt’s musical journey is clearly just beginning, and if these performances are any indication, he’s well on his way to forging a unique path of his own.
