: She had to record the hook multiple times to capture the soaring, anthemic feel he wanted.
: Her powerful delivery became the song's heartbeat, leading her to later release "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down," a solo, piano-driven version. A Cultural Phenomenon jay_z_empire_state_of_mind_ft_alicia_keys
: It joined the ranks of Frank Sinatra’s "New York, New York" and Billy Joel’s "New York State of Mind" as a definitive tribute to the city. : She had to record the hook multiple
: Hunte, who grew up in the same building as Jay-Z (560 State Street), sang the original demo vocals. : Hunte, who grew up in the same
: The song is famously associated with the New York Yankees; Jay-Z performed it at the 2009 World Series, which many fans believe helped propel the team to victory.
In 2009, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys released "Empire State of Mind," a track that quickly transformed from a hit single into the unofficial anthem of New York City.
When Alicia Keys was brought in for the chorus, the process wasn't instant magic.