Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have seemingly done it all in their nearly eight-year marriage: they’ve accomplished great feats in their careers, they’ve made beautiful children, they’ve shared amazing philanthropic success—but recently they shared a first by doing an interview side-by-side.
Prior to receiving the Producers & Engineers Wing Award from the Recording Academy for their “paramount” contributions to the music industry, the pair sat down with Gayle King on CBS This Morning and shared some details about their marriage that makes them totally goal worthy.
Here are 7 things we learned about their musical love story and partnership.
1. Swizz Thinks Alicia Does Everything Well.
The couple wed on July 31, 2010, and Swizz is extremely supportive of his wife and all that she does.
“It’s very hard for me to find something that she can’t do great,” said the mega producer. “And that’s true.”
2. Sometimes Alicia Has To Reminds Swizz That He’s A Little Too Honest.
Having worked together in both marriage and music, Alicia admits that there are times when she has to remind her husband that while honesty is the best policy, he can be a little harsh with his delivery.
“He’s brutally honest. I’m like, “Babe, could you be a little sweeter with the way you gave that to me just a tiny bit!”
3. They love to let each other bask in their own art.
There’s is no healthy competition between the two. Alicia is a 15-time Grammy Award-winning songstress and with producer credits for work on albums belong to JAY-Z, Beyoncé, T.I., Eve, Drake, and more, Swizz is dynamic in his own right. In their marriage and in their artistry, the two never let the business drive a wedge between them.
“I always say no because I feel that one of the things that really works about us is we’re very different. Even his style of music is different from my style of music. We compliment each other as opposed to kind of ever in each other’s way or should there ever feel any competition,” Alicia said. “We don’t rock like that.”
Swizz added, “That’s an unhealthy vibe for any couple. A lot of men are scared of powerful women. Right? And so … I know she’s powerful. I love it.”
4. Alicia was so proud of Swizz’s Harvard degree.
Last fall, Swizz accomplished a feat beyond his musical talents. In November, the Bronx native earned a degree in Owner/President Management Program from Harvard University’s Business School. Of course, Alicia was elated by her husband’s accomplishment.
“I was so excited,” she told King. “I’ve been so invested in this journey with him. But the first time, I’ll never forget, we were literally in this room when he got the letter of acceptance. And it was like such a moment because it was so powerful. Like, this dream that he had to do this.”
5. They Are Open To More Children.
Along with making beautiful music together, the couple has two gorgeous sons together, 7-year-old Egypt and 3-year-old Genesis, along with Swizz’s other children from previous relationships—Prince, Kaseem, and Nicole. While they are one big happy family, the two wouldn’t mind having one more little one, perhaps a little girl—but only when the time is right, of course.
“It would be a blessing. It would be wonderful. You got to talk to the universe. But I’m not ready right now, universe. Hear me loud and clear. We’re not ready [but] it would be pretty unbelievable.”
6. They’ve Never Had A Huge Fight.
According to King, the two have never had a serious argument in throughout their relationship. When conflict arises, they approach the situation with clear communication in mind to find a resolve.
“They’ve been together eight years they said,” King recalled to co-hosts In that time, they’ve never had a serious argument. That they’ve never raised their voice, that when they have conflict, they sit down. Everybody says communication, but these two really do communicate. So, ‘I’d like to talk to you about something.’
7. Harvard Wants To Do A Case Study On Their Marriage.
Because of their relationship both in music and beyond, the Harvard Business School wants to do a case study on the couple together.