Jay_z_empire_state_of_mind_ft_alicia_keys Apr 2026

: Jay-Z reportedly felt Keys' first vocal takes didn't have the right "energy" for the track.

: 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

: She had to record the hook multiple times to capture the soaring, anthemic feel he wanted. : Jay-Z reportedly felt Keys' first vocal takes

: Both songwriters were feeling deeply homesick for New York. : Both songwriters were feeling deeply homesick for New York

The song didn't actually start in a New York studio. It was written in London during February 2009 by Angela Hunte and Jane't "Janyce" Sewell-Ulepic.

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.

: 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