The ability to translate a piece of art into a new medium is one that Alicia Keys has recently executed with her latest project — marking five years in the making.
Inspired by her fifth studio album and hit single, “Girl on Fire,” the singer has released her first-ever young adult graphic novel, which she shared in an Instagram post.
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According to Rated R&B, the new novel follows the story of 14-year-old Lolo Wright, a young Brooklyn girl who discovers she has superpowers.
Co-written by Andrew Weiner and illustrated by Brittney Williams, “Girl on Fire” embodies the song’s lyrics. For instance — “She got her head in the clouds, And she’s not backing down.”
“When I wrote ‘Girl On Fire,’ I knew I was writing it for that girl in the way back row who needed someone to tell her there’s nothing you can’t do, that nothing is impossible,” Keys shared in a past statement, according to Rated R&B. “When Andrew and I came up with the idea of translating the song into a young adult graphic novel, I knew that I wanted it to be about a girl coming to realize the strength she’s always had. There’s a little Lolo in all of us …”
The Graphic Novel
The coming-of-age story focuses on Lolo walking the halls of her high school by day while balancing her mission to protect her city. With a Black supergirl as its main protagonist, drawn by a Black comics artist, the novel showcases representation for the community, especially Black youth. It’s also repping for the Big Apple, Keys’ beloved hometown.
“Get ready to fall in love with Lolo,” Key shared in her Instagram caption. “Get ready to fall in love with NYC. Get ready to discover that there’s more than what you even imagined inside of you! This is a book for everyone!”
