“Empire State of Mind” is a song performed by the rapper Jay-Z featuring vocals by Alicia Keys, from Jay-Z’s 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 (2009). The song 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 but 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.
A critical success, the song was included in multiple critics’ top 10 lists of the best songs of 2009, including Rolling Stone magazine and The New York Times. It was also nominated for three Grammy Awards, winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The song achieved commercial success worldwide. It peaked within the top 10 in many countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Italy and Sweden. In the US, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, becoming Jay-Z’s first number-one single on the chart as a lead artist.
It has been performed by Jay-Z and Keys multiple times, including during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and the American Music Awards of 2009. Usually when the duo performs the song, an overhead screen shows images of places in New York.
Enjoy…
Jay Z Ft. Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind.
Don’t forget, if you have any music videos you would like us to feature in the future, drop us a line. We are always happy to listen to requests from others, we cannot promise to feature any but we will try our best to find the videos if we think others will enjoy.
Garfield is copyright © Paws, Inc. If you like the cartoons we reproduce here on Jammy Toast, please consider purchasing some of the Garfield official merchandise. These are available through Garfield.com where you can view them in full-colour and at a higher quality!
Posted By
61 Comments on “Sunday Music #15”
This song never gets old!!
Why can’t they make a song like this about Birkenhead?
Who can imagine standing at the top of the Empire State Building at night with this playing in the background?
Proud of being from New York listening to this!
Who would have guessed this song would become so iconic?
Who needs Frank Sinatra after this?
This song makes me miss New York and long to be back there and I’ve never even been there!
I’m afraid that next time I hug you I won’t ever be able to let you go!
Wet dreams in the concrete jungle?
I never thought I’d miss commuting into the city. If only the pandemic were over …..
Everyone’s goin on cute snowy walks with there baes and the only place I’ve been is the vale with me ma.
If it does snow heavy, does anyone know how many snowmen you’re allowed in your garden under current tier 3?
Hang on, hang on… did you say left over roasties?
Tesco’s back to school range includes a toxic all-in-one suit and a ventilation mask…
RIP Gerry Marsden.
Finally made it to series four of the Crown. Fair play, they’ve made her look a bit like Thatcher, but I dunno why she sounds like she’s permanently straining for a shit.
Let’s all go to Rhyl Sun Centre…
I can’t swim.
Could murder my hair being played with.
In Shaun of the Dead they all sort refuge in a pub and not a school.
Just saying Boris…
A could of been a rocket scientist if it wasn’t for the trolley accident.
Thank you so much for all the well-wishes on my 18th birthday!
Tonight you will find me down at the local pub exposing all the dark secrets behind the climate- and school strike conspiracy and my evil handlers who can no longer control me!
I am free at last!!
If you Do Not want to Break your New Year’s Resolutions, Do Not make New Year’s Resolutions that you Can not Keep.
New Year’s Advice there.
I don’t get how couples can get a bath with each other? I’d make it look so unromantic just chilling like a fat whale in 27° water!!
Happy 1st Birthday to Monty dog! I wuffff you!!
Desperate minds mean desperate measures…
It’s a new year go get yer calendar and fuck off.
Last of the Christmas binge tonight because as from tomorrow I’m going to be skinny!
You’ll never walk alone!
Hello to all of you who are currently wide awake in bed because Christmas has broken your body clock.
I’m wide awake and it’s depressing!!
Rolf report 4 Jan
I have such a close bond with my American human. I curl up on his lap when he’s working in the home office so I can be his inspiration. I do create a few challenges for him as I take away his ability to type sometimes but he seems to like me being there.
Rolf x
Good morning & welcome to Marvellous Marmalade Monday, the first working Monday of the year and the holiday season has ended.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
~Dr. Seuss
I think I need to practice my balancing skills a bit more. I was alright on the straight part but found it a bit difficult to get around the corner. My human was still impressed though, she’s easily pleased.
6 am in January and 6 am in June are two very different times.
The first Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine will be administered this morning and all eyes will be on the name of the first patient.
I’m sticking my neck out and going for a Mrs Anne Boleyn 90 from Wigan…
They shouldn’t be allowed to show Matt Hancock’s face before the watershed.
#BBCBreakfast
Gerry Marsden was such a kind man… always smiling and always up for new life and new music as well as celebrating the past. I feel very honoured to have known him.
I have an unhealthy relationship with Monday mornings.
Why’s that Matt Hancock permanently got a smirk on his face whenever he gets interviewed? Fuck off
Wintry fuckin’ showers for many today.
Good morning! Anybody else already dreaming about their summer holiday?
What a nights sleep that was…
A shark could swim faster than me, but I could probably run faster than a shark…
So in a triathlon, it would all come down to who is the better cyclist!
Have any of your readers lost a pigeon, only there’s one that’s been hanging around outside my local Greggs for a couple of days. It’s grey in colour with a shiny neck and walks with a limp.
Johnny Turnbull, Hartlepool.
Mind your own business Johnny!
But…
Having the Monday-est Monday ever?
Same!!
One o’clock and the year at work is already a skip fire!!
Thought I was still alive for a minute there but no, I am still dead!!
Gona move to a different area n reinvent myself!
We need a full nation lockdown. EVERYTHING SHUT!!
Trans Pennine Express stop sending letters about my fine I’m just not paying it. What’s the worst you can do, fine me? I won’t pay it.
Dave! Stop flirting with the Sat-Nav lady!
Millions of people in the United States are either being evicted or they are about to be evicted and the government is not helping them. They have no food and no shelter and the government has turned their back on them.
BREAKING: University of Derby/Angel Delight Covid-19 vaccine found to have efficacy rate of 0%.
This situation is dangerously out of control, and we need to pool all our resources, expertise and talent. This is a wartime situation and we need a government of National Unity now.
ACTIVATE DIANE ABBOTT NOW!!!!
Working for a living sure does freaking suck ass!!
Scotland going back to March style lockdown like here by the sounds of it.
Scotland leading the country once again. I hope Westminster will now stop dragging its heels.
Lots of people asking me what Boris Johnson is up to. I’ve checked all his usual hiding places (Chequers, Caribbean islands, the fridge…) but can’t find him. If you see him please tell him to get to work.