Jay-Z

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Jay-Z, Alicia Keys

About Empire State of Mind

"Empire State of Mind" is a song performed by American rapper Jay-Z featuring vocals by American singer Alicia Keys, from Jay-Z's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 (2009). Produced by Al Shux, the song features a music sample of "Love on a Two-Way Street" performed by The Moments. It was originally written by Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic as a tribute to their hometown, New York City. The following month, they submitted it to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation, whose reviews were a discouragement. They later took the suggestion of an associate of EMI Music Publishing and resubmitted it to Jay-Z, who kept the "New York" singing part on the hook, changed the verses, and recorded it. The song originally featured Hunte on the hook, but when Hunte and Sewell-Ulepic were asked if they thought anyone else would be more appropriate for the chorus, Hunte suggested Keys. Mary J. Blige was also considered for the part, but Keys was chosen after Jay-Z heard the song's piano loop. "Empire State of Mind" contains songwriting contributions from Keys and Shux. The song was described by critics as an "orchestral rap ballad" with "crashing piano chords" and a "soaring" hook. It contains references to various locations in New York and its famous residents, while describing the city's essence. Profanity is present throughout the song and, although it is usually included during live performances, it was omitted during the performance at Game 2 of the 2009 World Series.more »

Year:: 2010
: 4:37
: 7,949Views
Playlists:: #9

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Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Yea, yea I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in TribecaRight next to DeNiro, but I'll be hood foreverI'm the new Sinatra, and, since I made it hereI can make it anywhere, yea, they love me everywhere I used to cop in Harlem,All of my Dominicano's right there up on Broadway,Pull me back to that McDonald's, took it to my stashbox, 560 State St.Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons wippin' pastry'sCruisin' down 8th St., off white LexusDrivin' so slow, but BK is from TexasMe, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy BiggieNow I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with meSay whattup to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tai'sSittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high fivenigg* I be Spike'd out, I could trip a refereeTell by my attitude that I'm most definitely fromIn New York,Concrete jungle where dreams are made ofThere's nothin' you can't doNow you're in New YorkThese streets will make you feel brand newBig lights will inspire youLet's hear it for New York, New York, New YorkCatch me at the X with OG at a Yankee gamesh*t, I made the Yankee hat more famous then a Yankee canYou should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip thoughBut I got a gang of nigg*s walkin' with my clique thoughWelcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rockAfrika Bambataa sh*t, home of the hip-hopYellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla backFor foreigners it ain't for, they act like they forgot how to actEight million stories, out there in it nakedCity is a pity, half of y'all won't make itMe, I got a plug, Special Ed "I Got It Made"If Jesus payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwayne WadeThree dice cee-lo, three card monteLabor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob MarleyStatue of Liberty, long live the World TradeLong live the King yo, I'm from the Empire St. that'sIn New York,Concrete jungle where dreams are made ofThere's nothin' you can't doNow you're in New YorkThese streets will make you feel brand newBig lights will inspire youLet's hear it for New York, New York, New YorkLights is blinding, girls need blindersSo they can step out of bounds quick, the sidelines isLined with casualties, who sip to life casuallyThen gradually become worse, don't bite the apple, EveCaught up in the in-crowd, now you're in styleEnd of the winter gets cold, en vogue, with your skin outCity of sin, it's a pity on the whimGood girls gone bad, the city's filled with themMommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust outEverybody ride her, just like a bus routeHail Mary to the city, you're a virginAnd Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church endCame here for school, graduated to the high lifeBall players, rap stars, addicted to the limelightMDMA got you feelin' like a championThe city never sleeps, better slip you an AmbienIn New York,Concrete jungle where dreams are made ofThere's nothin' you can't doNow you're in New YorkThese streets will make you feel brand newBig lights will inspire youLet's hear it for New York, New York, New YorkOne hand in the air for the big cityStreet lights, big dreams, all lookin' prettyNo place in the world that could comparePut your lighters in the air everybody say yeah, yeah,Yea, yeaIn New York,Concrete jungle where dreams are made ofThere's nothin' you can't doNow you're in New YorkThese streets will make you feel brand newBig lights will inspire youLet's hear it for New York, New York, New York

Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter's net worth at nearly $500 million. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving fourteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked #1 by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling S… more »

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Funk / Soul, Hip Hop

Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: Alexander William Shuckburgh, Alicia J Augello-Cook, Shawn C Carter, Angela Hunte, Bert Keyes, Sylvia Robinson, Janette Sewell

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

13 facts about this song

Collaboration

"Empire State of Mind" is a duet between American musicians Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

Release Date

The song was released as the third single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album, "The Blueprint 3", on October 20, 2009.

Genre

It's a hip-hop song with influences of pop and includes vocals from the R&B genre, courtesy of Alicia Keys.

Chart Performance

"Empire State of Mind" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first No. 1 hit for both Jay-Z and Alicia Keys in the United States.

Song Inspiration

The song is a love letter to New York City, with lyrics talking about aspects of the city, including the Yankees, Brooklyn, Times Square, and Broadway.

Grammy Awards

"Empire State of Mind" won two Grammy Awards in 2011. It won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Platinum Certification

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified it 5x Platinum for sales of over 5 million copies.

Music Video

The music video shows both musicians in various locations in New York City, including Times Square, Yankee Stadium, and in front of a graffiti-covered fence.

Alicia Keys' Solo Version

Alicia Keys released a solo piano version of the song, "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down," on her album "The Element of Freedom."

Cultural Impact

"Empire State of Mind" has been covered by many artists and used in numerous media contexts. It's seen as an anthemic and inspiring ode to New York City.

World Series Performance

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed the song during the opening of the 2009 World Series in Yankee Stadium.

Live Performances

Since its release, the song has been performed live by both artists in various events, including at the MTV awards, Brit awards, and the American Music Awards.

Critical Acclaim

Recognized as one of the greatest songs of the decade, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork placed it on their lists of best songs of the 2000s.

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