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.

Composition
Sheet music for "Karma" sets the key of D minor at 100bpm.

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. 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
 * 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
 * 1) "Karma" – 4:15
 * 2) "Diary" (Hani mix) – 3:49


 * European CD maxi-single
 * 1) "Karma" (radio edit) – 3:37
 * 2) "Diary" (Hani mix) – 3:49
 * 3) "Karma" (the Reggaeton mix) – 3:32
 * 4) "Karma" (club mix) – 3:18
 * 5) "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