Alicia Keys sings the chorus of Jay-Z’s 2009 New York anthem “Empire State of Mind.”
The song pairs Jay-Z’s rap verses with Keys’s soaring vocals, especially the instantly recognizable hook celebrating New York City. It was released as the third single from Jay-Z’s album The Blueprint 3 and became one of the most prominent rap-pop collaborations of the late 2000s.
The track was originally written by New York musicians Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic as a tribute to their hometown. Jay-Z revised the verses, while Alicia Keys contributed to the song and helped shape its bridge. Mary J. Blige was reportedly considered for the vocal part, but Jay-Z ultimately chose Keys after hearing the song’s piano-driven arrangement.
“Empire State of Mind” topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and won Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Keys later recorded a solo sequel, “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down,” which is separate from the original Jay-Z collaboration.