[127] Music critic Tom Stack, of Entertainment Weekly, had a more positive assessment of Glee's take on it in the episode, stating that from the wardrobe to the choreography, it was "spectacular" and elating. The single was ranked the 8th best song of 2009 by MTV, the second-best song of 2009 by Rolling Stone magazine, and was voted the best single of 2009 by The Village Voice's 37th annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll. [124], "Empire State of Mind" was covered by the cast of the US television series Glee for the second season premiere episode "Audition" on September 21, 2010. [132][133] In May 2011, at 64th Cannes Film Festival, British singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum performed a piano medley of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" and "Empire State of Mind" in honour of Robert De Niro. [43] It was ranked at number 14 the 2009 Pitchfork's "Song of the Year" Reader's Poll. Audio in this thread Nas-"NY State of Mind" or Jay-Z-"Empire State Of Mind" @hiphop Obviously, I'm very grateful to him for reaching out to me and for that type of ability to represent my hometown...I went to the studio, and [...] I fell in love [with the track] from the jump. [102] Rodriguez of MTV News said that Bridget Kelly, who sang Keys' part, "turned more than a few heads" because the outfit she was wearing was "tighter than her boss' rhyme". "Empire State of Mind" was released as the third single from The Blueprint 3 in October 2009. In my humble opinion, of course. [10] Drug dealing references, "N-words", and profanity are also present throughout the song. "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" was generally well received by contemporary music critics in their reviews for The Element of Freedom. Designed and produced with pride in Brooklyn, NY, USA. ", Finally pulled it back and saw three bullets caught up in the chamber, So, now I'm jettin' to the buildin' lobby, Same niggas will catch you back-to-back, snatchin' your cracks, I know this crackhead who said she gotta smoke nice rock, I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death, Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined, I think of crime when I'm in a New York State of Mind, But just a nigga walkin' with his finger on the trigger, Make enough figures until my pockets get bigger, I ain't the type of brother made for you to start testin', Give me a Smith & Wesson, I'll have niggas undressin', Thinkin' of cash flow, Buddha and shelter, And lamp like Capone, with drug scripts sewn, I got so many rhymes, I don't think I'm too sane, Life is parallel to Hell, but I must maintain, It's only right that I was born to use mics, And the stuff that I write is even tougher than dykes, My rhymin' is a vitamin held without a capsule, I'm a addict for sneakers, 20's of Buddha and bitches with beepers, In the streets I can greet ya, about blunts I teach ya, I lay puzzled as I backtrack to earlier times, Nas displays complex lyricism with his “N.Y. Mary J. Blige was also considered for the part, but Keys was chosen after Jay-Z heard the song's piano loop. Also, the words "New York" scrolled across screens on the stage. [93] Towards the end of the song, Keys sang with Jay-Z at the front of the stage while holding up an "I love you" sign. [130] It also charted number twenty in Australia. MTV's Kyle Anderson felt that the choreography of "Empire State of Mind" compensated for any awkwardness in its delivery. [46] In February 2011, Billboard placed the song at number 15 on its list of "The 40 Biggest Duets Of All Time" and in September 2011, the song was placed at number eight by VH1 on its list for the 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s. [136] Sheeran later sang it as a duet with Jason Mraz at the Jingle Ball Viewing Party in December 2012. She commented, "We all just looked at each other like, 'if Biggie approves, then, send it to Jay'". [137] In April 2012, British glam rock band Sweet released an updated version of the Hello and Ace Frehley hit single "New York Groove" that incorporated the chorus of "Empire State of Mind" into its own chorus.[138]. I thought the sound sounded like what was in everyone’s head at some point, or that sound represents a certain section of your mind. [109] Discussing the record, Keys said that it acts as a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability, commenting that "The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate".[107]. [91] Jocelyn Vena and Eric Ditzian of MTV News noted that Jay-Z "took his hometown pride rather seriously" during the performance. 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, changed the verses, and recorded it. "[18], USA Today's Steve Jones perceived a maturity by Jay-Z in the song, writing that "The upper-crust landmarks he now references are a far cry from the grimy Marcy Projects sights that he once detailed, something that perhaps is to be expected from the self-described 'new Sinatra'. [99], In March, Jay-Z joined Keys onstage during one of her Freedom Tours New York concerts to perform "Empire State of Mind", while images of New York were shown throughout the concert arena. Shaheem Redi … Are there more songs like this? [26] For the performance Jay-Z wore his signature Yankees cap[81] and Keys wore all black while playing the piano. [29] Killan Fox of the same publication felt that the track was a "terrific homage" to New York and listed the song as being one of the "really good tracks" on The Blueprint 3. [9], The song opens with lyrics referencing locations in New York,[9] and name-checks notable neighborhoods and captures the city's essence; from attending Knicks basketball games to its famous residents. It appeared in 2009 year-end charts in Italy, Australia and the US, where it was also the last number one hit of the 2000s. JAY Z - Empire State Of Mind (Letras y canción para escuchar) - In New York / Concrete jungle where dreams are made of / There's nothing you can’t do / Now you’re in New York / These streets will make you feel brand new / The lights will inspire you / Lets here it for New York, New York, New York [50][51] In July 2013, PopMatters placed the song at number six on its list of "The Top 20 Jay-Z Songs to Date", remarking that "Alicia Keys' voice soars through the city night as Hov offers up his typical wit and, in this case, New York authenticity", making the song become "the unofficial anthem of the most celebrated city in the world". Caitlyn Millat of San Diego's NBC felt that Jay-Z "brought the house down" during his performances of the melodies. [49] Complex placed the song at number nine on its list of "The 100 Best Jay-Z Songs" and on number four on its list of "The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs", noting that the song "has replaced Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" as the city's go-to anthem, and remains one of Keys' greatest contributions to pop culture". [20] Shannon Barbour of About.com called "Empire State of Mind" the album's apex, commending Keys for the "standout" aspect of the song, her "excellent display of some unusually strong vocals". ", "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010", "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2010", "Austriancharts.nl - Jahreshitparade 2010", "Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten - Single 2010", "Classement Téléchargments Singles - année 2010", "Topul celor mai difuzate piese în România în 2010", "Sverigetopplistan - Årslistan 2010 Note: Go to Sök alla listor > Årslistor > Välj år 2010 > Visa! It was originally written by Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic as a tribute to their hometown, New York City. [36] Jon Pareles of The New York Times placed "Empire State of Mind" at number three on his list of the top songs of 2009, and Pitchfork also ranked it at number 44 on its The Top 100 Tracks of 2009 list. He is more commonly known by a variety of stage names including Jay-Z, S. Carter, Jigga, Hova, J-Hova, Hov, and Young Hov. I imagined, 'If I was able to sing this whole song, how would I do it?' Hip-pop vs Hip-hop classic or not. Lyrics to 'Empire State Of Mind' by Jay-Z: Yeah Yeah, I'm up at Brooklyn Now I'm down in Tribeca Right next to DeNiro But I'll be hood forever [89][90] The two musicians performed the song on a custom-made stage adorned with Yankees flags,[89] while images of New York City flashed across several large screens throughout the stadium. “Rapper’s I monkey flip em with funky rhythm I be kickin” The hook solely serves to its function, to draw in a listener to be persuaded to observe the music for longer period of time. Produced by Al Shux, the song features a music sample of "Love on a Two-Way Street" performed by The Moments. The chorus samples a Rakim line from the track “Mahogany,” which is…, The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Beats of All-Time, Streets of New York (City Life) (Unplugged), ​deposition regarding the green horse for rap, Troublemaker (N.Y. State of Mind Freestyle), Royce da 5'9" Freestyles on Flex | Freestyle #090, Lloyd Banks Freestyles on Flex | Freestyle #066. According to Billboard magazine, the song was the 15th biggest hit by two recording artists for all time. The song was described by critics as an "orchestral rap ballad" with "crashing piano chords" and a "soaring" hook. Nas lays down a track like no other that represents the struggles of growing up on the hard streets of QB. [31] Pitchfork's Ian Cohen stated that "the piledriver hooks of "Run This Town" and "Empire State of Mind" are content to annoy their way to ubiquity". Kills it in every way. [125] Aly Semigran, also writing for the same publication, thought the cast's performance was lacking the gravitas of the original version, but reported that Keys had deemed the Glee cover "amazing". As a fan of Nas, as a fan of Preem, as a fan of hip-hop, like, it was just like, ‘Yo, this is crazy.’, “I don’t know how to start this shit” still manages to drop arguably one of the best rap songs ever. Easily one of the best rap songs ever written/produced, it is a marathon of wordplay and rap mastery. [121] Days after its release Delaney said: "I hope Jay-Z and Alicia get to see the video as long as their publishing people don't force us to take it offline. Jay-Z performed the song with a medley of his other singles, including "On to the Next One". Greatest rap verse of all time. The piano component that runs throughout the song contains a sample of the 1970 single "Love on a Two-Way Street", written by Burt Keyes and Sylvia Robinson, performed by The Moments. For the song by Alicia Keys, see, 2009 single by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys. State of Mind was created to give everyone the … During the MTV VMA performance images of locations in New York, such as the Empire State Building and the Apollo Theatre, were shown on an overhead screen behind Jay-Z and Keys. [85] Lil' Mama said she did not mean to disrespect either performer but the song had her "emotions running high", adding that "in that moment I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY.