◇ image via WikipediaEmpire State of Mind
"Empire State of Mind" is a song recorded by American rapper Jay-Z and American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, for the former's eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 (2009). Produced by Al Shux, the song features a music sample of "Love on a Two-Way Street" performed by the Moments. Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic originally wrote it as a tribute to their hometown, New York City. The following month, they submitted it to Roc Nation, whose reviews were discouraging. They later took the suggestion of an EMI Music Publishing associate and resubmitted it to Jay-Z, who kept the "New York" singing part on the hook, changed the verses, and recorded it. The song's title, similar to "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel and "N.Y. State of Mind" by Nas, is a play on and tribute to New York State's nickname "Empire State". "Empire State of Mind" was released as the third single from The Blueprint 3 on September 1, 2009, by Roc Nation and Atlantic Records.
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