The singer has teamed up with the rapper for the 'Inferno' version of her latest cut 'Girl on Fire', which debuted in full last week.
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Asked why she approached Minaj to be on the track, Keys told Billboard: "Well Nicki's a girl on fire.
"Nicki and I are maybe what seems like from two different worlds but in actuality, girls on fire are from everywhere."
She added: "It doesn't matter who you are, how you are, in what way you express it - that's what's important about it.
"I think the rhyme that she did on the 'Inferno' version of 'Girl on Fire' is really special. I think it's really a very raw, honest Nicki that I really love."
'Girl on Fire' is the lead single and title track for Keys's upcoming fifth studio album, which will be released in the UK on November 26 and a day later in the US.
Listen to Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj's 'Girl on Fire' below:
