Empire State of Mind
Glennis Grace Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, yeah, I'ma up at Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
Right next to DeNiro, but I’ll be hood forever
I’m the new Sinatra and since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
I used to cop in Harlem, all of my Dominicanos, right there up on Broadway
Brought me back to that McDonald's, took it to my stash spot,
Five Sixty Stage street, catch me in the kitchen, like a Simmons whipping pastry
Cruising down 8th Street, off white Lexus, driving so slow but BK is from Texas
Me I’m up at Bedsty, home of that boy Biggie, now I live on Billboard
And I brought my boys with me, say what up to Ty Ty, still sipping Malta
Sitting court side Knicks and Nets give me high fives
I be spiked out, I can trip a referee, tell by my attitude that I most definitely from

In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can’t do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York

Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can
You should know I bleed Blue, but I ain't a crip though
But I got a gang of niggas, walking with my click though
Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we selling rocks
Afrika bambaataa shit, home of the Hip Hop
Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
For foreigners, like Frans and Glennis, they don't now how to act
8 million stories, out there and they're naked
Cities is a pity half of y'all won't make it
Me, I gotta plug Special Ed "I got it made"
If Jesus paying LeBron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade
3 dice Cee-lo, 3 card Marley, Labor Day parade, rest in peace, Bob Marley
Statue of Liberty, long live the World trade, long live the king yo
I’m from the empire state that's

In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can’t do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York

One hand in the air for the big city
Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty
No place in the world that can compare
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can’t do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new




Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York

Overall Meaning

Glennis Grace Feat. Lange Frans's song Empire State of Mind is a tribute to the city of New York and all the dreams it has inspired. The lyrics describe the life of a person who has come a long way, from the rough neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Harlem, to the glitz and glamour of Tribeca, where even celebrities like DeNiro live. The singer sees himself as the new Sinatra, a symbol of success and fame, who can make it anywhere.


The lyrics also touch upon the hustle and grind of the city, where one can find success by working hard and making the right connections. The singer talks about how he used to cop in Harlem and how he now lives on the Billboard charts. He takes pride in wearing the Yankee hat and has a gang of people walking with his click, making it clear that he is well-connected and respected in the city. The song ends with a powerful chorus that inspires the listener to put their lighters in the air and say "yeah, yeah, yeah" as a nod to the energy and excitement of the city.


Overall, Empire State of Mind is an ode to New York, its people, and the determination and grit that it takes to succeed in the city.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, yeah, I'ma up at Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
Starting from Brooklyn and now in Tribeca, moving from one hood to another.


Right next to DeNiro, but I’ll be hood forever
Despite being near to DeNiro, will forever represent the hood life.


I’m the new Sinatra and since I made it here
Being in New York City and achieving success means he's the new Sinatra.


I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
Being successful in NYC means success everywhere and people love him everywhere.


I used to cop in Harlem, all of my Dominicanos, right there up on Broadway
Used to buy drugs in Harlem from his Dominican friends on Broadway.


Brought me back to that McDonald's, took it to my stash spot,
Used the McDonald's as a way to cover his drug dealings nearby.


Five Sixty Stage street, catch me in the kitchen, like a Simmons whipping pastry
His drug kitchen is on Five Sixty Stage street and he's as skilled in cooking drugs as Russell Simmons is in baking pastries.


Cruising down 8th Street, off white Lexus, driving so slow but BK is from Texas
Driving slowly on 8th Street in an off white Lexus, representing Brooklyn (BK) in Texas.


Me I’m up at Bedsty, home of that boy Biggie, now I live on Billboard
Lives in Bedsty, the same hometown as Biggie, but now he's successful enough to be on a Billboard.


And I brought my boys with me, say what up to Ty Ty, still sipping Malta
Has brought his friends with him, including Ty Ty who is still drinking Malta.


Sitting court side Knicks and Nets give me high fives
Sits court side at Knicks and Nets games, receiving high fives from players, showing off his success.


I be spiked out, I can trip a referee, tell by my attitude that I most definitely from
Wears expensive jewelry and is ready to break rules showing his NYC attitude.


In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
NYC is a gritty, tough place where people come to pursue their dreams.


There's nothing you can’t do
Success in NYC is possible for anyone with enough drive and determination.


Now you're in New York, these streets will make you feel brand new
Being in NYC brings a new sense of discovery and inspiration.


Big lights will inspire you, hear it for New York, New York, New York
The bright lights of NYC are inspiring, a city that deserves a big celebration.


Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Can be found at 'the X' (presumably a bar or club) with his OG (original gangster) friends watching a Yankee game.


Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can
Wearing a Yankee hat has become a symbol of his success more than the team's own fame.


You should know I bleed Blue, but I ain't a crip though
Refers to his love for the NY Giants football team, but clarifies that he's not affiliated with the Crips gang.


But I got a gang of niggas, walking with my click though
Although not in a gang, he has a group of friends that walk with him.


Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we selling rocks
NYC is a diverse city where people from all backgrounds come together to sell drugs on the street corner.


Afrika bambaataa shit, home of the Hip Hop
NYC is the birthplace of Hip Hop, and Afrika Bambaataa represents this cultural movement.


Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
Different types of taxis can be found in NYC, hail them if you need them.


For foreigners, like Frans and Glennis, they don't now how to act
For foreigners visiting NYC, they may not understand the customs and behaviors of locals.


8 million stories, out there and they're naked
NYC is filled with 8 million people, all with their own unique stories and perspectives, some of whom may be vulnerable.


Cities is a pity half of y'all won't make it
NYC can be a tough place to make it, and many people may not achieve their dreams here.


Me, I gotta plug Special Ed 'I got it made'
He refers to a rapper named Special Ed, name-dropping one of his songs 'I Got It Made', meaning that he's doing well for himself.


If Jesus paying LeBron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade
If Jesus himself were paying LeBron James, then he would be paying Dwayne Wade showing off his wealth and status.


3 dice Cee-lo, 3 card Marley, Labor Day parade, rest in peace, Bob Marley
Throwing dice and playing card games at the parade on Labor Day in honor of Bob Marley who has passed away.


Statue of Liberty, long live the World trade, long live the king yo
The Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center are significant symbols for NYC, as is the king, an unspecified person he admires.


I’m from the empire state that's
He is from New York, the empire state.


One hand in the air for the big city
Celebrating NYC with one hand in the air as a symbol of power and strength.


Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty
NYC's streets and cityscapes are beautiful with big dreams to be achieved.


No place in the world that can compare
There is nowhere else in the world quite like NYC.


Put your lighters in the air, everybody say, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
As a celebration of NYC and his success, encouraging everyone to join in.




Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@TTking9142

I am no friend of rap music at all but in this case...when you know that after these few moments you're going to hear THIS! I mean Glennis's voice...it's just honey to your ears. And her pitch is so perfect in every note everytime. For me that is the most important feature in vocals. I don't have any suitable words to describe how does i feel when i hear her singing like that. It just pierces my body and soul and i just freeze. I'm so addicted to her voice and live performances. It doesn't even matter what she is singing, heh. This version is maybe the best that i have ever heard.

@Mo-cf3lr

This song makes me cry even when she only sings New York and I even like it better than Alicia Keys, the original.

@bryanbrunsell5832

First off, she is beautiful - and hands down she has the most perfect female voice I have ever heard. My goodness!! 😳😳😳😳 He sounds really good too : )

@ingridwatsup9671

Then you should look Glennis Grace up with The Ladies of Soul !!

@pvandewyngaerde

Check out Floor Jansen. She is my #1

@frankboogaard88

Zou beter zijn als ze niet zo enorm aan de coke zat

@frankboogaard88

Since she is a very heavy cocaine and heroin addict I can not agree

@srnu964

@Frank Boogaard what? She doesnt do drugs

1 More Replies...

@svrsvr6183

Strakke performance ook van ome frans - hoewel grace is the real star.

@boujiebeech8773

This song is so easy to sing for her WOW I can't even sing this song and sounds like chipmunk but her voice just so powerful and clear

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