Alicia Keys went back to school yesterday. The singer made an appearance at New York University’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music.

Keys said the making of her “As I Am” album two years was very difficult because she was dealing with personnel changes. “I kind of had to find the snakes in the grass,” she revealed -although she’s still with longtime manager Jeff Robinson and J Records, so the snakes, we surmise, were personal. “It’s hard to be the one to change, to end relationships you had for years. I was really trying to find myself. I tend to be a very optimistic person, but I was snappy, and mean. My grandmother was very sick, I was watching her pass away and taking care of her. I was just very, very confused. [Making the record] was very, very difficult for me.”

Watch the video:

Check out Alicia’s new video “Doesn’t Mean Anything”

Take a look at our Alicia Keys gallery:

Behind The Scenes: Jay and Alicia’s “Empire” video

I just can’t keep up with this chick and her man game..Rihanna may have found someone to take her mind of ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

According to bossip.com, Rihanna has been spotted around town with a new man, Janero Marchand. The 22 year old is the former boyfriend of video chick Dollicia Bryan and is currently a NYU Law Student. Apparently Janero does not like the limelight, but he’s been helping RiRi get over Chris.

Here’s what we found out:

The two have been spotted at various NYC hot spots during fashion week and were last spotted getting comfy cozy with each other at Da Silvano’s for what was deemed as a business meeting. We reported on Rihanna leaving Da Silvano’s here. The two arrived and left separately to avoid the paparazzi as Janero does NOT want to be in the public eye, but it’s a little too late for that homie.

Janero is also responsible for introducing Amber Rose to Kanye West and obviously well connected with those in Rihanna’s circle. We’ll see where this one goes, but if these two stay on their Jay and Beyonce steez, we won’t see them together for a while.

Take a look at RiRi showing off her nipple ring:

Is Rihanna jockin’ Bey’s style?

Chris Brown reports for community service