‘Empire State of Mind’ Jay-Z, Alicia Keys (2009) “Empire State of Mind” is a modern anthem for New York City, released on October 20, 2009, as the third single from Jay-Z’s 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3. Produced by Al Shux, the song features a soaring chorus from Alicia Keys and is built on a soulful piano sample from The Moments’ 1970 single “Love on a Two-Way Street.” Jay-Z’s verses are a tribute to his journey from Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to global superstardom, blending local landmarks and cultural references with universal themes of ambition and resilience. The track was a massive critical and commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and winning two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Its cultural impact is profound, having been adopted as an unofficial theme song for the New York Yankees and frequently appearing on lists of the greatest songs of the 21st century. The music video, directed by Hype Willia...