Empire State of Mind
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Jay-Z |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, artist management |
Empire State of Mind is a collaborative track by American rapper Jay-Z and singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, featured on Jay-Z's eleventh studio album, The Blueprint 3 (2009). The production, handled by Al Shux, incorporates a sample from "Love on a Two-Way Street" by The Moments. Initially penned by Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic as an homage to New York City, the song was first presented to Roc Nation, which responded with lukewarm feedback. Upon resubmission to Jay-Z, he preserved the iconic "New York" chorus, rewrote the verses, and recorded the track. The title references New York’s well-known nickname, the "Empire State." Released on September 1, 2009, through Roc Nation and Atlantic Records, it served as the third single from The Blueprint 3.
The hook was originally performed by Hunte; however, after Jay-Z heard the piano loop, he selected Keys to sing it. Although Mary J. Blige was considered for the part, she declined due to scheduling conflicts. The songwriting team also includes Keys and Shux. Critics characterized the song as an "orchestral rap ballad," distinguished by "dramatic piano chords" and an uplifting chorus that pays tribute to New York landmarks and icons while capturing the essence of the city.
In 2009, the track featured prominently on numerous year-end best-of lists from publications such as Rolling Stone and The New York Times. It garnered three Grammy Awards nominations and won in the categories of Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Commercially, it dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks—marking Jay-Z’s first number-one single as a lead artist—and achieved top-ten status in countries including the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, and Sweden. The song also appeared on year-end charts in Italy, Australia, and the United States, where it closed out the decade as the final number one hit of the 2000s. By July 2024, it had sold over 10 million copies in the US alone.
The accompanying music video is primarily shot in black-and-white and features Jay-Z and Keys performing throughout various iconic New York City locations. The pair delivered live performances of the song at major events like the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and American Music Awards of 2009, often accompanied by visuals showcasing New York landmarks. Keys later recorded a follow-up titled "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" for her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom (2009). Her rendition received favorable reviews, reached top ten positions in charts across the UK, Netherlands, and Ireland, and peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite lacking an official single release. Keys explained that her version expresses her personal bond with New York City.
Background and writing
The song "Empire State of Mind" was initially crafted by Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter and producer Angela Hunte alongside her collaborator Janet "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepic. Hunte grew up in the same apartment building as Jay-Z—560 State Street—a location referenced within the lyrics. The inspiration for the track arose during a homesick period while Hunte was visiting London in February 2009. Although initially turned down by Roc Nation, EMI Music Publishing executive Jon "Big Jon" Platt later discovered the song that year and believed it would be a perfect fit for Jay-Z. After Platt forwarded it to Jay-Z, he proceeded to record it swiftly.
Hunte emphasized how uncommon it is for two female writers/producers to have their work embraced by a prominent rapper like Jay-Z. While originally intended to be sung entirely by Hunte, Jay-Z rewrote the verses but kept Hunte’s vocals on the chorus. When selecting a vocalist for that section, Hunte recommended contemporary R&B and soul artist Alicia Keys, who also contributed a new bridge to the composition.
Jay-Z disclosed that he had initially considered Mary J. Blige for singing the chorus but ultimately chose Keys because her vocal tone and piano playing resonated strongly with him. Keys expressed pride in representing her hometown through this song and connected with it immediately during recording.
In December 2009, Hunte hinted that her original version of "Empire State of Mind" would eventually be released, describing it as "so powerful" that it would emerge in due course.
Composition and recording
"Empire State of Mind" is a hip-hop composition that features Jay-Z delivering rap verses alongside Alicia Keys performing the chorus. The piano melody incorporates a sample from The Moments' 1970 track "Love on a Two-Way Street." Stephen Dalton from The Times characterized the piece as an "orchestral rap ballad."
The song is set at a moderate pace of 84 beats per minute and is written in the key of F major, following a chord sequence of F–C/B–B–F. Alicia Keys’ vocal range extends from A3 to C5.
The lyrics highlight various aspects of New York City’s culture and landmarks, capturing the spirit of the metropolis from Knicks basketball games to its famous inhabitants. The text also includes mentions of drug trafficking, racial slurs, and explicit language. Mariel Concepcion from Billboard pointed out Jay-Z’s tribute to his hometown set against a straightforward piano backdrop.
During the recording sessions, Keys sought to perfect the chorus hook despite initially recording it while suffering from congestion. After Jay-Z expressed dissatisfaction with her first vocal take, she re-recorded it to better convey the intended power and grandeur.
Reviews
"Empire State of Mind" earned broad praise from music critics, who especially commended Keys' vocal delivery. Jon Bush of AllMusic identified it as a standout track on The Blueprint 3, dubbing Jay-Z the "king of crossovers" and calling the song a New York anthem bolstered by Keys’ chorus. Pete Cashmore from NME described Keys’ vocals as "lusty bellowing" that perfectly complemented the "crashing piano chords." Martin Andrew of PopMatters remarked on the song’s appeal, citing a "fantastic Al Shux beat" paired with Keys’ uplifting hook. Jayson Rodriguez at MTV News emphasized Keys’ "crooning" during the chorus, highlighting the track’s motivating message.
Steve Jones of USA Today noted Jay-Z’s evolved viewpoint, contrasting his references to upscale locations with his earlier gritty storytelling. The Daily Telegraph referred to the song as "anthemic club pop," spotlighting Keys’ sing-along chorus. Shannon Barbour from About.com regarded it as the album’s highlight, praising Keys for delivering an "excellent display of some unusually strong vocals." William McBee of Slant Magazine called it a "glittering paean to the Big Apple," featuring soaring vocals by Keys and Jay-Z’s representation of his city. Raju Mudhar in the Toronto Star acknowledged Jay-Z as a "living hip hop legend," affirming the iconic nature of the lyrics. Greg Kot from the Los Angeles Times lauded Jay-Z’s collaborative prowess, citing this song alongside "Run This Town" as prime examples of his mainstream appeal.
IGN’s Chris Carle highlighted Keys’ "soaring vocals," while Ryan Brockington and Tyler Gray of the New York Post selected "Empire State of Mind" as their favorite and most soulful album track. Francois Marchand in the Vancouver Sun described it as "shiver-inducing." Stephen Dalton from The Times called it a "heartfelt love letter to New York City," comparing Jay-Z to a "hip-hop Sinatra" supported by Keys’ lush chorus. Alexis Petridis at The Guardian praised its "incredible, breezy pop" chorus, with Killan Fox describing it as a "terrific homage" and one of the album’s highlights.
On the other hand, Jody Rosen from Rolling Stone dismissed it as a "pallid New York shout-out," while Ian Cohen at Pitchfork criticized its hooks for being overly repetitive despite commercial success.
Accolades and rankings
"Empire State of Mind" garnered extensive praise from critics and secured positions on numerous best-of-2009 music compilations. MTV placed it eighth among the top songs of 2009, while Rolling Stone ranked it second. Additionally, The Village Voice honored it as the best single in their 37th annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll. The track also earned high placements on lists curated by The New York Times, Pitchfork (44th), Entertainment Weekly (first), NME (6th), PopMatters (9th), and Consequence of Sound (12th). It topped Rap-Ups compilation of the 25 best songs of 2009 and was prominently featured in Pitchfork’s Reader's Poll as well as The New York Daily News "best songs about New York" listing.
At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, "Empire State of Mind" secured wins for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song, alongside a nomination for Record of the Year. In 2011, Billboard ranked it fifteenth on their list of "The 40 Biggest Duets Of All Time," with VH1 placing it eighth among the 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s. NME included it at number thirteen in their "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years." Complex positioned it ninth in "The 100 Best Jay-Z Songs" and fourth in "The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs," emphasizing its role as a contemporary anthem for New York City. By 2013, PopMatters ranked it sixth among Jay-Z’s top tracks, highlighting its status as an unofficial New York City anthem.
Jay-Z, a dedicated New York Yankees supporter, expressed pride that his music, including this song, was played during batting appearances throughout the 2009 World Series. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg recognized the track as one of the Yankees’ newest anthems. In mid-2012, a New York State campaign promoting economic recovery incorporated the song’s piano riff and Keys’ vocals. Furthermore, in 2010, the New York Racing Association replaced Frank Sinatra’s "New York, New York" with "Empire State of Mind" as the opening theme at Belmont Stakes, dubbing it the quintessential 21st-century theme for New York City.
Commercial success
"Empire State of Mind" achieved significant commercial impact worldwide. In the United States, it claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks from November 28 to December 26, 2009. This marked Jay-Z’s first number one as a lead artist after fourteen years in the industry. The track represented both artists' fourth number one on this chart and became the first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper to feature New York explicitly in its title. It placed sixty-second on Billboard's year-end chart for 2009 and was the final number one single of the decade. According to Billboard, it ranks as the fifteenth most successful hit by a duo.
During its debut week in the US, the single sold approximately 205,000 digital copies, reaching a peak weekly sales figure of 360,000 in December 2009. It reached number one on the digital downloads chart on October 3, 2009, and dominated radio airplay charts for eight weeks from late November through January 2010. Additionally, it led the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for three weeks and topped the Rap Songs chart for nine weeks. Within five months of release, it was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding three million units and had sold five million copies by August 2012. By June 2014, US sales had surpassed 5.5 million copies.
In the United Kingdom, "Empire State of Mind" debuted at number fifteen before climbing to number two within three weeks. By May 2012, it was ranked as the seventy-sixth best-selling single of the twenty-first century in that market. The song reached number three on Canada’s Hot 100 and was recognized as the top digital gainer in December 2009. In Australia, it peaked at number four and received gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments over 35,000 units; it was placed sixty-fourth on Australia’s year-end chart for that year. In New Zealand, it reached number six and earned gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for sales exceeding 7,500 units.
The track also performed well across Europe: debuting at eighteen and peaking at eight in France; reaching number four on both Flemish and French charts in Belgium; and securing top ten positions in Denmark, Ireland, Italy (where it achieved multi-platinum status), Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Its lowest rankings were found in Austria (13), Brazil (17), and Spain (27). Moreover, "Empire State of Mind" was featured prominently in trailers promoting Sex and the City 2.
Music video
Original version
Directed by Hype Williams, the music video for "Empire State of Mind" was shot on location throughout New York City. It combines black-and-white imagery showcasing iconic cityscapes with vibrant color footage featuring Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performing amid Times Square. Filming commenced on September 29 in Tribeca and near Ground Zero, with its release occurring on October 30, 2009. Keys described this visual tribute as an homage to her hometown that highlights significant landmarks alongside New York’s cultural diversity.
The video begins with monochrome montages displaying famous New York scenes interspersed with clips of Jay-Z performing on various city streets dressed in multiple outfits. Notable visuals include a monument dedicated to John D. Rockefeller Jr., street signage, and subway stairwells.
Alicia Keys appears playing a Yamaha piano decorated with an image of the Statue of Liberty, delivering her verse while standing on a nighttime street with passing cars. The video also features aerial shots capturing skyscrapers and Yankee Stadium, as well as scenes involving vehicles and insignia from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Faces of pedestrians or individuals wearing Yankees apparel are occasionally blurred.
Both artists are shown wearing sunglasses during nighttime sequences—performing separately and together—with intercut shots portraying city life. The video concludes with color footage showcasing their performance atop the red glass steps at TKTS pavilion in Times Square, combined with panoramic views of Manhattan’s skyline.
Alternate version
An alternative video released via Jay-Z's Lifestyle blog features fashion models lip-syncing to the track across various locations throughout Manhattan. Directed by Justin Wu, this version includes a notable cast whose presence attracted attention despite an unclear promotional message. A Yahoo Music blogger hailed it as “the greatest lip-dub ever committed to video,” despite acknowledging limited miming abilities among participants.
Live renditions
The live debut of "Empire State of Mind" took place at Jay-Z's "Answer the Call" benefit concert at Madison Square Garden on September 11, 2009; proceeds supported families affected by police and fire tragedies through a dedicated fund. The song closed out the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards held September 13—marking Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ first joint live performance—and received acclaim for blending sophistication with urban authenticity. During this VMA appearance, rapper Lil Mama unexpectedly joined them onstage; although controversial, she expressed admiration toward both artists.
Originally scheduled to perform during Game One of the World Series that year, weather delays pushed their performance to Game Two at Yankee Stadium. Their stage setup featured Yankees flags alongside New York-themed visuals; certain lyrics were censored for this event. On November 5, they performed at Berlin's MTV Europe Music Awards against a backdrop depicting New York City’s skyline. Jay-Z also delivered a solo rendition during a victory parade at New York City Hall celebrating the Yankees’ World Series win; Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly filled in vocally for Keys.
The pair appeared at the American Music Awards of 2009, opening with Frank Sinatra's classic "New York, New York." While some critics suggested overexposure diminished impact, others praised their dynamic stage presence. At the 2010 BRIT Awards, their performance earned widespread acclaim for vocal strength and commanding presence.
In March 2010 during Keys’ Freedom Tour stop in New York City, Jay-Z joined her for a collaborative rendition enhanced by visuals celebrating New York. He also performed "Empire State of Mind" solo at California’s Coachella Festival in April that year. On May 9, Jay-Z appeared on Saturday Night Live, performing alongside Bridget Kelly; this rendition received positive reviews highlighting its energy and production quality.
They reunited once more for a televised duet during Keys' Here in Times Square concert special broadcasted on BET—further cementing its connection to New York City's cultural identity.
Follow-up
After releasing "Empire State of Mind" in January 2010, Alicia Keys planned a solo interpretation slated for February release titled "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down." This version appeared on her fourth studio album,The Element of Freedom (December 2009). Although an initial version featured both Keys and Jay-Z together ("Empire State of Mind Part 2"), her final solo cut omitted Jay-Z entirely. Keys described this rendition as combining resilience with vulnerability—strong instrumentation paired with her delicate vocal delivery.
Critics responded positively when reviewing The Element of Freedom, noting that this pop ballad replaced specific sports references from the original with broader themes exemplified by lyrics such as "If I could make it here/I could make it anywhere." The track reached number four in UK charts; number forty on Canada’s Hot 100; sixty-nine in Sweden; debuted at seventy-seven on Billboard’s R&B charts; and peaked at fifty-five on Billboard Hot 100 despite lacking an official single release.
Reception and adaptations
Comedy website CollegeHumor created a parody titled "Galactic Empire State of Mind," which rewrote lyrics narrating events from Darth Vader’s perspective across episodes I–III of Star Wars’ Original Trilogy storyline. This humorous video has amassed nearly four million views on YouTube.
Another parody titled "Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind)" humorously replaced New York’s “Empire State” theme with Newport—a smaller Welsh city—in its lyrics. Directed by British filmmaker MJ Delaney, featuring London actors Alex Warren and Terema Wainwright, this spoof rapidly went viral: garnering almost one million views within three days and reaching two-and-a-half million by August 2010. Its popularity led to national television appearances as well as invitations to local events such as Newport Transporter Bridge reopening ceremonies. Warren and Wainwright approached Universal Records regarding releasing their version as a charity single benefiting Newport Mind; however, permission was denied by all seven original co-writers of "Empire State of Mind," resulting in removal from YouTube on August 10.
The cast of US television series Glee covered "Empire State of Mind" during their second season premiere episode "Audition", aired September 21, 2010. The fictional McKinley High School glee club performs it intending to rally support ahead of Nationals held in New York City. Critical reactions were mixed: MTV's Kyle Anderson commended choreography; Aly Semigran noted Alicia Keys called their version “amazing”; Lisa de Moraes from The Washington Post felt they were “maybe trying too hard”; while Tom Stack from Entertainment Weekly awarded an “A” grade praising spectacle effects. MTV Buzzworthy pointed out some unevenness particularly within Jay-Z's rap segment delivery. The cover debuted at twenty-one on Billboard Hot 100—the week’s biggest leap—and reached number twenty on Australian charts.
In addition to these covers: American alternative dance group LCD Soundsystem performed duet versions live during concerts throughout 2010; British singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum paid tribute to actor Robert De Niro at Cannes Film Festival's sixty-fourth edition by blending Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" with "Empire State of Mind" into a piano medley; British artist Ed Sheeran delivered an acoustic rendition during BBC Radio One’s Live Lounge session in February 2012 then performed it alongside Jason Mraz at Jingle Ball Viewing Party later that year; British glam rock band Sweet released an updated take combining "New York Groove" with hooks borrowed from "Empire State of Mind" in April 2012.
Credits and personnel
- Lead vocals – Jay-Z, Alicia Keys
- Songwriters – Janet Sewell, Angela Hunte, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Sylvia Robinson, Burt Keyes, Alicia Keys, Alexander Shuckburgh
- Production – Alexander Shuckburgh
- Keyboard performance – Jeff Bhasker, Kevin Randolph
- Engineering team – Chris Godbey, Andrew Dawson, Karl Heilbron, Marcos Tovar, Miki Tsutsumi, Ann Mincieli
- Arrangement – Hart Gunther
- Assistant arranger – Jason Wilkie
- Mixing engineer – Ken Duro Ifill
- Assistant mixing engineer – Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young
- Mastering engineer – Tony Dawsey
- Editing – Jason Wilkie
- Recording engineers – Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton, Ann Mincieli, Luke Steele
- Sample used – "Love on a Two-Way Street" by The Moments
Weekly charts
Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart {{single chart|Denmark|2|artist=Jay-Z + Alicia Keys|}| Chart | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Australian Urban (ARIA) | 1 |
| Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100) | 1 |
| Chart | Highest position |
|---|
! scope="row"| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 2 |}
| Chart | Highest position |
|---|
| Chart | Highest position |
|---|
Monthly rankings
| Chart | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) | 17 |
| Brazil (Brasil Hot Pop Songs) | 7 |
Annual rankings
| Chart | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 64 |
| Australian Urban (ARIA) | 17 |
| Brazil (Crowley) | 93 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 22 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 45 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 63 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 91 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 30 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 62 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 80 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) | 27 |
| Chart | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 19 |
| Australian Urban (ARIA) | 9 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 47 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 32 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 16 |
| Brazil (Crowley) | 3 |
| Canadian Hot 100 (Billboard) | 24 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 48 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 33 |
| European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) | 18 |
| France (SNEP) | 52 |
| Germany (GfK) | 64 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 51 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 47 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 100) | 68 |
| Russia Airplay (TopHit) | 96 |
| South Korea International Download (Gaon) | 26 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 93 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 10 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 78 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 21 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 49 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) | 8 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard) | 34 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard) | 15 |
| Chart | Rank |
|---|---|
| France (SNEP) | 99 |
| South Korea International Download (Gaon) | 101 |
| Chart | Rank |
|---|---|
| France (SNEP) | 105 |
| South Korea International Download (Gaon) | 90 |
| Chart | Rank | - | South Korea International Download (Gaon) | 104 |
|---|
All-time chart rankings
| Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 (Women) | 98 |
Certifications
Template:Certification Table Entry
Release timeline
| Territory | Release Date | Format(s) | Record Label(s) | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | September 1, 2009 | Digital download | ||
| United Kingdom | September 14, 2009 | Roc Nation | ||
| Japan | September 23, 2009 | Warner Music | ||
| United States | September 29, 2009 | 12-inch vinyl |
|
|
| October 19, 2009 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Roc Nation | ||
| United Kingdom | November 2, 2009 | CD | ||
| Germany | November 13, 2009 |
|
Warner Music | |
| France | December 28, 2009 | CD |
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2009 (U.S.)
- List of R&B number-one singles of 2009 (U.S.)
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 2009
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 2010
- List of number-one R&B/hip-hop songs of 2009 (U.S.)
- List of number-one digital songs of 2009 (U.S.)
- List of Billboard number-one rap songs of the 2010s
- List of Billboard Rhythmic number-one songs of the 2000s
- List of Hot 100 Airplay number-one singles of the 2000s
- List of Billboard number-one rap singles of the 2000s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of the 2000s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2009
- List of number-one songs of the 2010s (Czech Republic)
- List of Top 25 singles for 2010 in Australia
- New Zealand Top 50 singles of 2010
- List of UK top 10 singles in 2009
- Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2010
- List of top 100 singles of 2011 (France)
- List of best-selling singles in 2012 (France)
- List of top 100 singles of 2010 (France)
- Worldwide top ten singles in 2009
- List of best-selling singles in the United States
- List of songs about New York City
- "California Gurls" (considered an answer song to "Empire State of Mind")
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2009 songs
- 2009 singles
- Jay-Z songs
- Alicia Keys songs
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
- Music about the September 11 attacks
- Black-and-white music videos
- Music videos directed by Hype Williams
- Number-one singles in the Czech Republic
- Roc Nation singles
- Song recordings produced by Al Shux
- Songs about New York City
- Songs written by Al Shux
- Songs written by Alicia Keys
- Songs written by Angela Hunte
- Songs written by Jay-Z
- Songs written by Sylvia Robinson
- Atlantic Records singles
- 2000s fads and trends