If you thought Alicia Keys was pulling the plug on her #nomakeup movement anytime soon, well think again because the singer is on the cover of Time Out New York without a slick of makeup. Back in May, the 35-year-old mom of two vowed via an open letter to not “cover up anymore.”

The new captivating cover shows a fresh-faced Alicia with her natural hair in pigtails wrapped in red thread. Inside the mag, the singer talks her upcoming album, how she’s tired of sitting at the piano, and why as a Black woman it’s more important than ever to speak out about injustices. “We’re not going to be silenced. All of us are battling wars: sexism, ageism, racism. We’re fighting the war of borders. We’re fighting a war as women. As a Black woman raising Black sons, I’m seeing so much systemic racism exploding in our faces. These days you have to be afraid to be killed just because you’re Black! It’s devastating,” the singer said.

Time Out also reveals that she is set to play a surprise show in her hometown on October 9. “You’re going to get a taste of how art and activism cross over in a way that’s so emotional, so triumphant,” she said. Fans will have to wait on details of the performance that will be announced next month.