Alicia Keys is using her platform as a singer and composer to bring the voices of those who need to be heard. On the 15th of June, the “Underdog”, the singer sat down for a virtual chat with The Daily Show‘s Trevor Noah to discuss the destructive and damaging in the omnipresence of racism in the united states, and how these racial injustices have inspired her to take action with his music and beyond.
Alicia explained that her latest song, “the Perfect Way to Die”, was inspired by Mike Brown — who was killed by police officers in Ferguson, MISSOURI, in 2014 — and Sandra Sosa — who was found hanged in a jail cell in the County of Waller, TEXAS, after being arrested for a minor traffic violation in the year 2015. “You hear their stories in these letters, and the devastating thing is that ever not going to be relevant,” said Alice. She then added that she wrote the song with the intention of encapsulating the fire and energy behind the ongoing protests throughout the country and the outrage that has inspired many to make their voices heard.
Alicia has also been the use of its platform to carry a celebrity-filled initiative to seek justice for the death of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by Louisville police officers on March 13 after he entered his house to execute unannounced drug raid. Through the initiative, Alicia and several of the Black women celebrities to put pressure on the city of Louisville to the prohibition not to hit the orders. On June 11, Louisville Metro Council unanimously approved the Breonna of the Law, which prohibits no-knock warrant and required of an officer of the body of the cameras to be activated before and after each search.
“We are in a real place, that we can all see that this is the largest pandemic of all,” said Alice. “This deeply rooted racism, this police brutality, the treatment of Black people that is completely unacceptable. To the point that daily we are seeing loss of lives, of people killed for nothing, nothing — for being Black”. Alicia mentioned that Breonna’s sister lived in the room next to yours, and was lucky to not be at home to-night, the police stormed his home, pointing out that Breonna’s mother could have lost two daughters of the night.
Looking to the future, Alicia hopes to see progress and positive change, adding that “I am very honored that this song may be alive at this time when we’re really on the precipice of a great change.” Watch Alicia’s full interview with Trevor above, and find out more about how you can be an ally to the Black Lives Matter movement here.
