Swizz Beatz Reveals Michael Jackson Had a Crush on Alicia Keys — and He Set Up Their Meeting

Some love stories start with a song. This one started with a secret — and a very famous admirer. Swizz Beatz has revealed that Michael Jackson once had a crush on his wife, Alicia Keys, and that instead of feeling threatened, Swizz actually helped make their meeting happen.

Swizz shared the story during an appearance on The Real Report with Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, explaining that he learned about Jackson’s feelings through an unexpected messenger: Janet Jackson. According to Swizz, Janet had apparently told Keys, “You know, my brother always had a crush on you.” Swizz laughed it off in his own way — “I found out that Michael had a crush on my wife. In a cool way, but Michael’s a Virgo, so I don’t know. I’m a Virgo,” he joked — but he also saw something bigger in it than jealousy.

“So I thought it was cool to set up for her to meet him. Just for both of them to just have that moment as fans of each other,” Swizz explained. And so he did. The meeting eventually took place at Jackson’s home, where Swizz and Keys were welcomed into what he described as a surprisingly relaxed environment. He remembered bringing gifts for Jackson’s children and watching the King of Pop light up talking about his upcoming concerts — the This Is It residency in London, scheduled to begin in July 2009.

“Michael was so cool, bro. Just seeing him in his real element,” Swizz recalled. Jackson even showed off some of the dance moves he planned for the stage. Sadly, he never made it to those performances — he died on June 25, 2009, at 50, just weeks before the residency was set to open.

Swizz also shared a detail that captures Jackson’s humility in a way few stories do. While visiting the house, he noticed framed Thriller plaques sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall. Jackson offered to let him take some home. Swizz declined — he didn’t want to look too eager — even after Jackson dismissed the awards as “just things.” Given that Thriller remains one of the best-selling albums in music history, turning down a piece of memorabilia straight from Michael Jackson took some serious restraint.

Keys and Swizz married in 2010, and their partnership — in music and in life — has become one of the most enduring in the industry. Revisit one of Keys’ defining classics, “No One,” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Be7HBG3EQo

What’s your favorite Alicia Keys record — and your favorite Michael Jackson memory? Share them in the comments, and keep the requests coming to the KISS 101.7 request line at +1 302-357-9831.

Source: HotNewHipHop