Celebrity Mound

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

Busta Rhymes and CEO and founder of Niche Media Jason Binn

Yung Joc

Ryan Leslie and model Nicole Trunfio

Russell Simmons and Jason Binn

It’s a very long way from their pampered lifestyles in Hollywood.

Alicia Keys and Beyoncé stepped out of their air conditioned limousines to film a music video in a series of impoverished Brazilian shanty towns yesterday.

The pair duet on Keys’ Put It In A Love Song, from her recently released album The Element Of Freedom.

Surrounded by improvised buildings, washing lines and inquisitive children, the divas gave their best pouting performances.

Alicia looked every inch the star in a long white transparent dress over a bathing suit, with her curly hair loose around her shoulders.

She filmed her scenes on the roof of a house in the shadow of Christ The Redeemer in the shanty town of Morro Santa Marta in Rio De Janeiro.

She earlier filmed one segment in Rio’s Dona Marta slum.

It became renowned worldwide after Michael Jackson went there to film the 1996 video They Don’t Care About Us.

Meanwhile Beyoncé wore a green and blue playsuit as she filmed in the Praca Maua square.

And Brazilian television showed the pair singing together in the shantytown of Morro da Conceicao.

It’s the first time the pair have collaborated despite being friends for quite some time.

Alicia is also close with Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z, and the pair worked together on the 2009 hit Empire State Of Mind.

Alicia told MTV recently: ‘Her and I together was like re-united sisters.

‘Most people get in the studio and don’t get a chance to really collaborate but we were in one room having a ball.’

‘The energy was incredible. Big up to [producer] Swizz Beatz who worked on the track – it was unreal.’

Alicia also said she’s keen for more collaborations.

She says: ‘I would like to work with the Kings Of Leon [and] I like Dizzee Rascal.’

Alicia Keys and Shakira are teaming up for a spectacular one-off duet for the NBA All-Star celebration in Texas later this month.

Keys and the She-Wolf hitmaker will join forces on a surprise number, as well as each singing a selection of their own tunes midway through the celebrity basketball game in Arlington, Texas.

Usher will kick-off the match, which will air live on U.S. TV on February 14, 2010, with a performance of hit track Yeah! and his new song More, which has been used to promote the 2010 sporting event.

Alicia Keys and her secret fiancé, hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz, are said to be buying Lenny Kravitz’s penthouse duplex at 30 Crosby St. for $14.5 million.

Briefly home to Nicole Kidman, Kravitz’s ex, and Denzel Washington, the penthouse has been on the market for eight years at various prices.

The couple’s rep, Katrina Boswell, denies they’re buying the apartment. Meanwhile, Hollywood producer Joe Roth is listing his One Beacon Court penthouse pad for $21.7 million with Corcoran Group.

Alicia Keys’ hit with Jay-Z, “Empire State of Mind,” seems to echo her love affair with New York.

The singer and her artist/producer boyfriend, Swizz Beatz, have been looking to buy a penthouse in the Peter Marino-designed condo building at 170 East End Ave., across the street from Gracie Mansion.

A source said, “They’ve been back four times to view it.” Keys is said to be keen on the duplex penthouse, which features a fireplace, double-height ceilings, three bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and East River views. The address has a gym, squash courts and private screening room. The building is home to hedge fund manager Arvind Sanger, who paid $12 million for his penthouse.

Keys and Beatz confirmed they were dating back in May and have been searching for a pad to share for a few months.

Swizz Beatz

Busta Rhymes

DJ Funkmaster Flex and DJ Erick La Peau

Alicia Keys and Jay-Z

American Express presents Alicia Keys live on YouTube from the Nokia Theatre on Tuesday, December 1st 2009, World AIDS Day. Keys? will be performing songs from her upcoming album ?The Element of Freedom? and recognizing World AIDS Day with her charity, Keep a Child Alive. YouTube will be streaming the concert LIVE at www.youtube.com/aliciakeyssme at 8pm EST on December 1st as Keys? launches Keep a Child Alive?s ?Text ALIVE for 5? contest.

Alicia Keys went on a journey to Africa in 2002 that changed her life forever. Now she?s going to bring 5 people to South Africa to inspire them to change the world. To enter this contest, text ?ALIVE? to 90999 to give $5 to Keep a Child Alive. Reply ?YES? to ensure your $5 donation will go to help those whose lives have been ravaged by HIV/AIDS. Follow the link you will receive to enter your contact information and tell us the one word you think best describes Africa. From all the entrants, 100 people will be selected and contacted to create their own profile page on Keep a Child Alive?s Community site. The 5 people with the most creative and compelling profile pages will join Alicia in South Africa where they will tour KCA?s sites and be inspired to dedicate their lives, as Alicia has, to fighting HIV/AIDS.

5 people. 5 extraordinary days. 5 life changing experiences.