Alicia Keys and Jay-Z have reached a major streaming milestone with “Empire State Of Mind.” Following its 2009 release, the song has reached over 1,000,0000,000 streams. The track appears on Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 album. The duo were nominated for three Grammys, ultimately winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Alicia Keys jumped on X to celebrate the moment, dropping hints about a new track with Jay-Z. However, there is no official word about the possible collaboration yet. Keys refers to the track as a “dream” and thanks to fans. “Thank you! We love you. What’s next….[eye emoji] [shush emoji].” The song is in the same realm as “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel and “New York, New York,” by Frank Sinatra.
“Yeah, I’m out that Brooklyn, now I’m down in Tribeca/ Right next to De Niro, but I’ll be hood forever,” Jay raps. “I’m the new Sinatra, and since I made it here/I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere.” Continuing on, Alicia Keys breathes life into the chorus singing: “In New York (Ayy, uh, yeah; aha)/Concrete jungle (Yeah) where dreams are made of/There’s nothin’ you can’t do (Yeah, okay),” she sings.
“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).” Even more, the song established a significant precedent upon its release, but one moment in particular stands out. At the 2009 VMAs, during a set with the Roc Nation CEO and Alicia Keys, Lil Mama hopped on stage. The cringy moment is one of the most thrilling and awkward performances in the channel’s history.
Check out the original video for “Empire State Of Mind.”