Alicia Keys reworks 'If I Ain't Got You' with all-Black female orchestra for 'Queen Charlotte'

Alicia Keys has released a new orchestral version of her 2003 hit 'If I Ain't Got You' to mark its 20th anniversary, featuring an orchestra of over 70 Black women musicians. The song is part of the soundtrack for the Netflix series 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story', which premiered on May 4, 2023. The series, based on the novel by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes, follows the rise to the throne and love story of Queen Charlotte with King George III. The historical figure Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, born in 1744, married the English king at age 17 and had 15 children. Her portraits suggest she was of mixed race, a topic historians debate, with some claiming descent from King Alfonso III and his African mistress. The showrunners emphasize this aspect to portray a strong, independent female character who loves the arts, played by India Amarteifio. The six-episode spin-off aired as the UK prepared for the coronation of King Charles III, sparking speculation about marketing timing and commentary on racism allegations against the royal family regarding Meghan Markle. The soundtrack also includes songs by Beyoncé and Whitney Houston. In the video, Keys and the orchestra wear period costumes from the Regency era.