Karma (Alicia Keys song)

"Karma" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, taken from her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Written by Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., and Taneisha Smith, the song takes influence from hip hop and classical music. It was released as the album's fourth and final single on November 1, 2004, by J Records. Peaking at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it's the album's only single not to top a Billboard chart. A mashup of "Karma" with Stevie Wonder's 1972 hit "Superstition" titled "Karmastition", produced by Go Home Productions, was also released.

"Karma"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album The Diary of Alicia Keys
Released	November 1, 2004 (2004-11-01)
Studio	KrucialKeys Quad Recording (New York City, New York)
Genre	R&B alternative hip hop classical
Length	4:16
Label	J
Songwriter(s)	Alicia Keys Kerry Brothers, Jr. Taneisha Smith
Producer(s)	Brothers, Jr.
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"My Boo" (2004) "Karma" (2004) "Unbreakable" (2005)
Music video
"Karma" on YouTube

Composition

Sheet music for "Karma" sets the key of D minor at 100bpm.^[1]

Content

In the song, the narrator's lover who had left her returns and wants to start a new relationship, but she has moved on. Her lover is now in the position she was once in, and in being rejected receives their just deserts ("what goes around comes around"). The title references the popular conception of karma as getting what one deserves.

Music video

The music video for "Karma", directed by Chris Robinson and Keys herself, was filmed over three days in August 2004, with parts shot in New York City and at Casa de Campo resort's Altos de Chavón amphitheatre, in La Romana, Dominican Republic.^[2] At the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, the video earned Keys the award for Best R&B Video.

Track listings and formats

US 12-inch single[3] A1. "Karma" (album version) – 4:12 A2. "Karma" (instrumental) – 4:11 B1. "Karma" (KrucialKeys DJ mix) – 3:20 B2. "Karma" (acappella) – 3:45 European CD single[4] "Karma" – 4:15 "Diary" (Hani mix) – 3:49

European CD maxi-single[5] "Karma" (radio edit) – 3:37 "Diary" (Hani mix) – 3:49 "Karma" (the Reggaeton mix) – 3:32 "Karma" (club mix) – 3:18 "Karma" (video)

Personnel

• Alicia Keys – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano
• Kerry "Krucial" Brothers – producer, digital programming, engineer, instrumentation
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
• Joe Romano – horn
• David Watson – horn

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2004–2005) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 40 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[7] 2 Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)[8] 7 Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)[9] 8 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[10] 6 Germany (GfK)[11] 62 Greece (IFPI)[12] 31 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 27 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 40 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 71 US Billboard Hot 100[16] 20 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 17 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[18] 3 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[19] 18

Year-end charts Chart (2005) Position US Billboard Hot 100[20] 56 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 38 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 25 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[23] 88

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[24] certified in 2005	Gold	500,000^
United States (RIAA)[25] certified in 2020	Gold	500,000‡
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
United States	November 1, 2004	Urban adult contemporary urban contemporary radio	J	[26]
	November 8, 2004	Rhythmic contemporary radio		[27]
	November 22, 2004	Contemporary hit radio		[28]
Germany	February 7, 2005	CD maxi-CD	Sony BMG	[11]

See also

• Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2005