.
Teresa (Augello) and Craig Cook, a paralegal/occasional actress and a flight attendant gave birth to Alicia Keys in Hell’s Kitchen, NY. Alicia proved to be so exceptional in school, that she was allowed to graduate, as valedictorian, at age 16 from the Professional Performing Arts School. In 1999 she joined J Records, headed by the legendary Clive Davis, and her success has been meteoric. Recently, following mass protests in New York City and Ferguson, Mo., Alicia Keys released a new song, “We Gotta Pray”. The ballad features lyrics such as, “Fire in the air, what the hell going on? Sirens everywhere, singing that street song,” mixed with images of protesters in New York and Ferguson. Famous quotes from civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi are interspersed throughout the song. “We Gotta Pray’.