Alicia Keys insists motherhood has not only made her stronger, but it’s released her inner bada** in the process. Today she describes herself as a woman who doesn’t fear anything and is always ready to take on the world.

The 35-year-old artist – who has two children with husband Swizz Beats – says that being a mom has also taught her to listen to herself, which is something she rarely did.

She revealed to Net-A-Porter’s The Edit: “When you’re first figuring yourself out, you care so much about what people think of you. [But] Lately, I’ve been exploring my relationship with myself. It’s tripping me out!

I’m in this new place. It’s growth, time, living, feeling and just … being more.

Once I became a mother I knew I was strong, but not ready to do what I’m doing now. If I had to attribute it to anything, I’d say that it’s taking more time to listen to myself. I never did that before and I think it’s opened up a new space in me; aggressive bad a*s, unafraid, uninhibited, calling it as I see it … And not whatever else I used to be.

I feel like it’s by design that I’m raising boys; like there’s a reason. I really feel that. They say that every child learns from their mother – it’s ingrained from babyhood.”

And the artist likes to treat herself to the occasional massage as a way to relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

She added: “I don’t relax that well. I love me a massage and I do deserve it. I also love meditation, which I got deeply into this past year – it’s changed how I relate to people and music and my kids.”