Alicia Keys and Jay-Z made New York lyrics come alive in 2009.
Keys started in the early 2000s with her piano skills and soulful voice.
When she teamed up with Jay-Z for “Empire State of Mind,” it became pure NYC magic.
Her chorus, mixed with Jay’s Brooklyn flow, told the city’s story perfectly.
This duo knew exactly how to capture New York’s heart.
Their song still hits differently today.
About the Song
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys showed us what New York means in “Empire State of Mind.”
Jay keeps it real about making it big.
Keys hits those high notes about city dreams.
It’s a perfect mix of street smarts and pure hope.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 20, 2009 |
| Album | The Blueprint 3 (Jay-Z album) |
| Writers | Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Angela Hunte, Jane’t “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic, Alexander Shuckburgh, Burt Keyes, Sylvia Robinson, Alicia Keys |
| Producers | Alexander Shuckburgh (Al Shux), Angela Hunte, Jane’t “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic |
Empire State of Mind(New York Song) Lyrics by Alicia Keys and JAY-Z
Intro: JAY-Z
Yeah
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
Nigga, 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, nigga)
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 niggas 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 Monte
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
Or they could 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, oh)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do (Okay)
Now you’re in New York (Uh, yeah, 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)
Live Performances of the Song
Empire State of Mind (New York Song): Live from iTunes Festival, London, 2012
Empire State of Mind(New York Song): Live from Apple Music Festival, London, 2016
Empire State of Mind Part II (Broken Down): Live NYC Tribute
Empire State of Mind: Live at Madison Square Garden
Empire State of Mind (Part II): Live at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball 2023
Empire State of Mind (Part II): Live at iHeartRadio Concerts
Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down: Live on Letterman
Similar Songs like Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys and JAY-Z
- Girl on Fire – Features powerful vocals celebrating female strength and resilience, with a soaring chorus and urban production style similar to Empire State of Mind
- No One – Captures the same uplifting spirit with piano-driven melodies and strong R&B influences, showcasing Keys’ signature vocal range
- If I Ain’t Got You – Shares similar soulful vocals and piano composition, expressing deep emotional themes about love and authenticity in an urban context
- Streets of New York (featuring Nas and Rakim) – Another New York City anthem with hip-hop elements and storytelling about city life
- Superwoman – Contains comparable themes of empowerment and perseverance, with similar gospel-influenced vocal arrangements
- Fallin’ – Though more stripped down, it features the same kind of emotional intensity and commanding vocal performance that made Empire State of Mind memorable
- Like You’ll Never See Me Again – Demonstrates similar vocal passion and piano-focused arrangement, though more intimate in tone
- Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) – Shares the same polished production quality and urban contemporary sound, with emotional depth in its vocals
- Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart – Features comparable dramatic production and powerful vocal delivery, with a strong R&B foundation
- This Bed – Exhibits similar sophisticated production elements and strong vocal performance, though focused on personal relationships rather than city life
Frequently Asked Questions
How did this Song Perform on the Charts?
The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of November 28, 2009. It charted for a total of 30 weeks.
Has this Track Received any Certifications?
“Empire State of Mind” was certified 9x platinum by the RIAA on June 28, 2023.
