We got a peek at the Alicia Keys cover story from Blender’s May issue, and the lady is full of surprises. Here are some of the things that made us go, “Really?”

· She’s got some, um, theories: ” ‘Gangsta rap’ was a ploy [by the government] to convince black people to kill each other.” She adds that Tupac and Biggie were essentially assassinated, their beefs stoked “by the government and the media to stop another great black leader from existing.”

· One of her new songs might be too hot: “I’m discovering my sexual side. I recorded this song — it’s super-simple — just piano, Rhodes keyboard and a kick drum. It’s so sensual. It moves you.” The story goes on to say that when Keys’ manager heard the track, he said, “We do not record songs like this!”

· Her necklace of choice? A gold AK-47 pendant “to symbolize strength, power and killing ‘em dead.” We weren’t the only ones surprised by her taste in jewelry: “She wears what?” her mother asked the music mag. “That doesn’t sound like Alicia.”

Head over to Blender’s Web site to read an excerpt from the story before it hits stands next week, and check out some dazzling pics from the magazine’s photo shoot after the jump.