Blended Family (What You Do for Love)

"Blended Family
(What You Do for Love)"
Single by Alicia Keys featuring ASAP Rocky
from the album Here
ReleasedOctober 7, 2016 (2016-10-07)
GenreR&B
Length3:32
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Back to Life"
(2016) 		"Blended Family
(What You Do for Love)"
(2016) 		"Us"
(2018)
ASAP Rocky singles chronology
"Lovesick"
(2016) 		"Blended Family (What You Do for Love)"
(2016) 		"Raf"
(2017)
Music video
"Blended Family" on YouTube

"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

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The song is inspired by family and in particular the themes are those of adoption and extended families.[3][1] 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

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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

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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]

Track listing

[edit]
Digital download[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Blended Family (What You Do For Love)" (featuring ASAP Rocky)3:32

Charts

[edit]

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various October 7, 2016 Digital download RCA [15]
Italy October 14, 2016 Contemporary hit radio Sony [26]
United States November 15, 2016 Rhythmic contemporary RCA [27]
Contemporary hit radio [28]

References

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  1. ^ a b Mench, Chris (October 6, 2016). "Hear Alicia Keys and ASAP Rocky's Emotional Family Love Song "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)"". Complex. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  2. ^ Orcutt, KC (October 6, 2016). "Alicia Keys's New Song Will 'Celebrate' Swizz Beatz's Ex-Wife". BET. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys Releasing 'Here' on Nov. 4; Listen to 'Blended Family' Single with A$AP Rocky". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  4. ^ Blistein, Jon (October 7, 2016). "Hear Alicia Keys' Heartfelt Ode 'Blended Family' With A$AP Rocky". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  5. ^ Pearce. Sheldon (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys Announces New Album Here, Shares A$AP Rocky Collab "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  6. ^ "Alicia Keys Tells the Inspiration Behind New Video for 'Blended Family'". ABC News. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Alicia Keys: Love and Family". Essence. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "My new song Blended Family (What You Do For Love)! » Alicia Keys". Alicia Keys. October 6, 2016. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Corcoran, Nina (November 14, 2016). "Alicia Keys – Here". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Feeney, Nolan (November 9, 2016). "Alicia Keys' Here: EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  11. ^ Gauss, Allison (February 17, 2017). "15 Reasons HERE by Alicia Keys Is So Good". Medium. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Masciotra, David (March 11, 2017). "The gospel of Alicia Keys: In an era dominated by phony vulgarity, she stands for wisdom, authenticity and genuine artistic vision". Salon. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Penrose, Natasha (November 11, 2016). "Alicia Keys Celebrates Her 'Blended Family' in New Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  14. ^ "Alicia Keys Feat. A$AP Rocky: Blended Family (What You do for Love)". IMDb. November 11, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Worldwide digital release of "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)":
  16. ^ "Alicia Keys feat. A$AP Rocky – Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  17. ^ "Alicia Keys feat. A$AP Rocky – Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  18. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  19. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  21. ^ "2016년 42주차 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  22. ^ "Alicia Keys feat. A$AP Rocky – Blended Family (What You Do for Love)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  23. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  24. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  25. ^ "2017 Year End Chart: ADULT R&B SONGS". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  26. ^ "ALICIA KEYS "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" (Radio Date: 14/10/2016)". Radio Date. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  27. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  28. ^ "Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
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