Empire State Of Mind (4:37)

“Empire State of Mind” is a song by hip hop artist Jay-Z, featuring guest vocals of R&B and soul singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. The song was released as the third single from Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 on his Roc Nation label. The song is an anthemic ode to both artists’ native New York City, featuring a sample of “Love on a Two-Way Street” by The Moments. Jay-Z and Keys performed the song at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, as well as the American Music Awards of 2009. It is also the plate music for New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, and it was used in the trailer for Sex and the City 2.

The single has been commercially successful in the United States. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Jay-Z’s first number-one single on the chart as a lead artist. “Empire State of Mind” reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart on October 4, 2009. The song also reached number 2 in the Irish Singles Chart on September 25, 2009 with no official release.

Alicia Keys has recorded an answer song to ‘Empire State of Mind’ titled ‘Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down’, it features on the album The Element of Freedom and has charted within the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart.

“Empire State of Mind” is an anthemic hip hop song with influences of electropop and orchestra pop. It features a sample of “Love on a Two-Way Street” by The Moments. The title is a reference to New York’s eponym “The Empire State”, and may also be a reference to Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind”. Jay-Z’s former rival Nas also titled one of his songs “N.Y. State of Mind”. The song is an anthem to Jay-Z’s hometown, New York City.