The stars were out in force for the hottest charity music event on the calender - The Alicia Keys Keep A Child Alive Black Ball and auction in London
The stars were out in force last night for the hottest charity music event on the calender - The Alicia Keys Keep A Child Alive Black Ball and auction at the Camden Roundhouse in London. The audience was serenaded by host Alicia Keys, currently in London for a week to play a series of exclusive gigs and the cream of British music talent. Stars included Boy George, Brit Award-winner Tinie Tempah, the legendary producer Mark Ronson, Beth Ditto and Paloma Faith who sported a breathtaking feather head dress and bright red Laboutins.
Guests at the exclusive £1,500 a seat ball raised thousands for Alicia's charity the Keep A Child Alive Foundation, which works to change the lives of of children across Africa and India living with HIV and AIDS.
The highlight of the evening was when Alicia invited a star-struck Tinie Tempah up on stage to sing one of his own songs - In The Stars. Clearly over-awed the rapper revealed he'd written the track originally with the aim of one day singing with Alicia and the night had been a dream come true.
The show's finale had its audience in rapture as Alicia took to the stage with Paloma Faith and Beth Ditto to sing an all female rendition of George Michael's 'Freedom'. George had been due to perform himself but had to pull out last minute because of a tooth infection. 'We don't need him - we can sing it better ourselves!' Alicia cheered as the girls embraced and belted out the classic to an excited crowd.
The New Yorker was joined on the red carpet by her producer husband Swizz Beatz, 32, who she married a year ago. The couple have an eight-month-old son Egypt together. Speaking of her increased passion for the charity since having a child herself she said: 'Now becoming a mother makes me understand more about activism, and being a musician enables me to have a voice to speak to people, and I think that they all feed into each other.'
Keys is preparing to release a deluxe and collectors' edition of her debut album Songs In A Minor to celebrate the 10th anniversary on June 27.
