“Empire State of Mind” is a song performed by American rapper Jay-Z, featuring American singer Alicia Keys. The song was released on October 20, 2009, as the third single from Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album, “The Blueprint 3”. The song quickly became a massive hit, topping the charts in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Empire State of Mind Lyrics | Alicia Keys
[Verse 1: JAY-Z & Alicia Keys]
Yeah, I’m out that Brooklyn, now I’m down in Tribeca
Right next to De Niro, but I’ll be hood forever
I’m the new Sinatra, and since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
I used to cop in Harlem, hola, my Dominicanos (Dímelo!)
Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald’s
Took it to my stash spot, 560 State Street
Catch me in the kitchen, like a Simmons whippin’ pastry
Cruisin’ down 8th Street, off-white Lexus
Drivin’ so slow, but BK is from Texas
Me? I’m out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
Say “What up?” to Ty Ty, still sippin’ Mai Tais
Sittin’ courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high fives
Ni-gga, I be spiked out (Come on), I could trip a referee (Come on)
Tell by my attitude (Come on) that I’m most definitely from
[Chorus: Alicia Keys & JAY-Z]
In New York (Ayy, uh, yeah; aha)
Concrete jungle (Yeah) where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do (Yeah, okay)
Now you’re in New York (Aha, aha, aha; uh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand-new (New)
Big lights will inspire you (Come on) (Okay)
Let’s hear it for New York (You welcome, OG; uh)
New York (Yeah), New York (Uh, I made you hot, nig-ga)
[Verse 2: JAY-Z & Alicia Keys]
Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can
You should know I bleed blue, but I ain’t a Crip though
But I got a gang of nig-gas walkin’ with my clique though
Welcome to the meltin’ pot, corners where we sellin’ rock
Afrika Bambaataa shit, home of the hip-hop
Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
For foreigners, it ain’t fair, they act like they forgot how to add
Eight million stories out there in the naked
City, it’s a pity half of y’all won’t make it
Me? I gotta plug Special Ed, “I Got It Made”
If Jeezy’s payin’ LeBron, I’m payin’ Dwyane Wade
Three dice cee-lo, three-card Marley
Labor Day Parade—rest in peace, Bob Marley
Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (Come on, come on)
Long live the king, yo (Come on)—I’m from the Empire State, that’s
[Chorus: Alicia Keys & JAY-Z]
In New York (Ayy; uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do (That boy good, okay)
Now you’re in New York (Uh, yeah, welcome to the bright lights, baby)
These streets will make you feel brand-new
Big lights will inspire you (Okay)
Let’s hear it for New York (Uh)
New York (Yeah), New York (Uh)
[Verse 3: JAY-Z & Alicia Keys]
Lights is blinding, girls need blinders
So they can step out of bounds quick, the side lines is
Lined with casualties who sip the life casually
Then gradually become worse—don’t bite the apple, Eve!
Caught up in the in-crowd, now you’re in-style
Into the winter gets cold, en vogue with your skin out
City of sin is a pity on a whim
Good girls gone bad, the city’s filled with them
Mami took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
“Hail Mary” to the city, you’re a virgin
And Jesus can’t save you, life starts when the church end
Came here for school, graduated to the high life
Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
MDMA (Come on) got you feelin’ like a champion (Come on)
The city never sleeps (Come on), better slip you a Ambien
[Chorus: Alicia Keys & JAY-Z]
In New York (Ayy, ow, uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do (Okay)
Now you’re in New York (Uh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand-new
Big lights will inspire you (Okay)
Let’s hear it for New York (Uh)
New York (Yeah), New York (Uh)
[Bridge: Alicia Keys]
One hand in the air for the big city (Oh)
Street lights, big dreams, all lookin’ pretty (Oh)
No place in the world that could compare (Nah)
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say
“Yeah, yeah” (Come on, come on)
“Yeah, yeah” (Come on)
[Chorus: Alicia Keys]
In New York (Uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do (Okay)
Now you’re in New York (Uh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand-new
Big lights will inspire you (Okay)
Let’s hear it for New York (Uh)
New York (Yeah), New York (Uh)
Lyrics message:
The lyrics of “Empire State of Mind” is a tribute to New York City, where both Jay-Z and Alicia Keys grew up. The song captures the energy and essence of the city, highlighting the city’s landmarks and cultural contributions. The lyrics are a celebration of the city’s diversity and a tribute to its residents’ resilience and determination.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Featuring | Alicia Keys |
| Produced By | Janet Sewell, Angela Hunte & Al Shux |
| Written By | JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Al Shux, Angela Hunte, Janet Sewell, Sylvia Robinson & Bert Keyes |
| Distributor | Atlantic Records & Universal Music Group |
| Copyright © | JAY-Z |
| Phonographic Copyright | JAY-Z |
| Video Cast | JAY-Z, Spike Lee & Alicia Keys |
| Video Location | New York & Time-Square |
| Video Director | Hype Williams |
| Mixing Engineer | DJ Swivel |
| Recording Engineer | Ann Mincieli & Young Guru |
| Label | Atlantic Records, Roc Nation & Roc-A-Fella Records |
| Exclusive Commentary | Dwyane Wade |
| Recorded At | Roc The Mic NY/Oven Studios NY |
| Release Date | October 20, 2009 |
FAQ:
Q: Who wrote “Empire State of Mind”?
A: The song was written by Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Al Shux, Angela Hunte, Janet Sewell, Sylvia Robinson, and Bert Keyes.
Q: Who is featured on “Empire State of Mind”?
A: The song features Alicia Keys, who provides the song’s chorus and piano riff.
Q: Who directed the music video for “Empire State of Mind”?
A: The music video for “Empire State of Mind” was directed by Hype Williams.
Q: Where was the music video for “Empire State of Mind” filmed?
A: The music video for “Empire State of Mind” was filmed in New York City, with several shots filmed in Times Square.
Q: What album is “Empire State of Mind” from?
A: “Empire State of Mind” is from Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album, “The Blueprint 3”.
Conclusion:
“Empire State of Mind” is a celebration of New York City’s rich cultural heritage and its residents’ resilience and determination. The song’s massive success is a testament to its universal appeal and its ability to capture the spirit of one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cities. With its catchy melody, memorable lyrics, and powerful message, “Empire State of Mind” has become a classic of modern rap and hip-hop music.
