Alicia Keys has given us “Perfect Way to Die,” a moving song inspired by recent stories of lives lost due to racism and injustice.

In March, fans were all set to receive Alicia Key’s anticipated project ALICIA. The singer shared the cover art to the project and teased us with bits about what we could expect from the record, but as the COVID-19 pandemic rolled forward, Alicia Keys delayed ALICIA‘s release. As the album sits on the shelf indefinitely, the songstress decided that Juneteeth (June 19) would be the perfect time to share “Perfect Way to Die,” a ballad produced by Sebastian Kole.

Alicia pulled inspiration from headlines to pen “Perfect Way to Die.” She opened with a verse about a boy shot to death while taking a trip to the store, a tale that could be attributed to Trayvon Martin, among others. In another, she speaks of a woman who was pulled over by the police and arrested, but somehow her “whole life’s over”—a mention that could be Sandra Bland. Listen to Alicia Keys deliver her moving, powerful single “Perfect Way to Die” and share your thoughts.

—HNHH