Alicia Keys released her eighth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, on June 10, 2022. The title reflects a duality between ruggedness and glamour, inspired by fashion and personal authenticity.
The album was preceded by the singles "Lala" (featuring Swae Lee) and "Best of Me", and debuted at number 41 on the Billboard 200. Keys described the project as a return to her R&B roots with hip-hop influences.
Production involved frequent collaborators like Swizz Beatz and new talents such as Sam Morton. The album received mixed reviews, highlighting its sonic cohesion but noting a lack of innovation compared to previous works.