: Hunte, who grew up in the same building as Jay-Z (560 State Street), sang the original demo vocals.
When Alicia Keys was brought in for the chorus, the process wasn't instant magic.
: Jay-Z reportedly felt Keys' first vocal takes didn't have the right "energy" for the track.
: Initially, Jay-Z wasn't interested, but after the track was reworked with a sample of Isaac Hayes' "Love on a Two-Way Street," he saw its potential. Perfecting the Hook
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.
: Today, the song is still played at sporting events, graduations, and city celebrations, serving as a "unifying" hit for New Yorkers. If you want to explore more about the music , tell me: A specific lyric you'd like decoded ? Other New York anthems to compare? More on Jay-Z's business empire ?
: 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.
: 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