Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z - New York City, NY
Posted by: Metro2
N 40° 44.888 W 073° 59.132
18T E 585642 N 4511292
Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind won Grammys in 2009 for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Alicia Keys).
Waymark Code: WMCJBQ
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 09/12/2011
Views: 50
Empire State of Mind brings the listener on a reminiscent tour of New York City.....mostly Manhattan. Specific mention is made of Tribeca, Harlem, Brooklyn, the Broadway McDonald's, "Bed-Stuy", etc.
The lyrics are copyright protected...but can be read at (
visit link)
Wikipedia has an extensive article about the song at (
visit link) where we learn:
"'Empire State of Mind" is a song by American rapper and hip hop artist Jay-Z, featuring vocals and a chorus from R&B and soul singer Alicia Keys. It was released as the third single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album The Blueprint 3 (2009) by his Roc Nation label in October 2009. The song is an anthemic ode to both artists' native New York, and features a music sample of "Love on a Two-Way Street" (1970) by The Moments. "Empire State of Mind" was originally written by Brooklyn natives Angela Hunte and Jane't "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepic who were feeling homesick while on an overseas trip in February 2009. The following month they sent the song in for consideration at Roc Nation, although it received negative reviews. Initially discouraged, the duo sent the song to Jay-Z after a suggestion by an associate of EMI Music Publishing (EMI), and after an incident which they described as an omen.
After hearing the song Jay-Z immediately recorded it, changing all of the verses but keeping the hook. The single was supposed to feature Hunte on the song's hook, but when Hunte and Sewell-Ulepic were asked if they thought someone else would be more appropriate for the chorus Hunte suggested Keys. Mary J. Blige was also considered for the part, but Keys was chosen after Jay-Z heard the song's piano loop. The song was viewed as being an "orchestral rap ballad" and has pop-rap musical styles. It contains references to drugs, locations in New York and its famous residents, and describes the city's essence. Profanity is also present throughout the song and, although it is usually included during live performances, it was omitted during the performance at Game 2 of the 2009 World Series.
It was included in multiple critics top 10 list for the best songs of 2009; including Rolling Stone magazine's and the New York Times's. The song was also nominated for three Grammy Awards, winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. "Empire State of Mind" achieved commercial success worldwide. The track peaked within the top 10 in countries including; the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Italy and Sweden. The single was commercially successful in the United States, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, becoming Jay-Z's first number-one single on the chart as a lead artist. It appeared in 2009 year-end charts in Italy, Australia and the US."
Coordinates given refer to the Empire State Building.