Empire State Of Mind
JaY-ZALICIA KEYS Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah

Yeah, I'm out that 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, hola, my Dominicanos (dímelo)
Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald's
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State Street
Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whippin' pastry
Cruisin' down 8th St, off-white Lexus
Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
Nigga I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from

In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do (yeah) (okay)
Now you're in New York (ah-ha, ah-ha, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
Let's hear it for New York (you're welcome, OG) (come on)
New York (yeah), New York (uh) (I made you hot, nigga)

Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous then a Yankee can
You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
Eight million stories, out there in the naked
City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
Me, I got a plug, Special Ed "I Got It Made"
If Jeezy's payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
Three dice Cee-lo, three-card Monte
Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
Long live the king yo, I'm from the Empire State that's

In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do (that boy good) (okay)
Now you're in New York (uh, yeah)
(Welcome to the bright lights, baby)
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you (okay)
Let's hear it for New York (come on)
New York (yeah), New York (uh)

Lights is blinding, girls need blinders
So they can step out of bounds quick, the sidelines is
Lined with casualties, who sip the life casually
Then gradually become worse, don't bite the apple, Eve
Caught up in the in-crowd, now you're in style
End of the winter gets cold, en vogue, with your skin out
City of sin, it's a pity on a whim
Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
Mommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
"Hail Mary" to the city, you're a virgin
And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end
Came here for school, graduated to the high life
Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
MDMA got you feelin' like a champion (come on, come on, come on)
The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien

In New York (ayy, oh) (uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do (okay)
Now you're in New York (uh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you (okay)
Let's hear it for New York (come on)
New York (yeah), New York (uh)

One hand in the air for the big city (uh)
Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty (uh)
No place in the world that could compare
Put your lighters in the air everybody say
"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
"Yeah, yeah"

In New York (uh, yeah)
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do (okay)
Now you're in New York (uh, yeah)
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you




Let's hear it for New York (come on)
New York (yeah), New York (uh)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys celebrate the city of New York, specifically the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Jay-Z boasts about his rise to success from the streets of Brooklyn to becoming a powerful figure in the music industry, likening himself to Frank Sinatra. He also references the rough neighborhoods that he grew up in, such as Harlem, and reminisces about going to McDonald's and hiding his money in a stashbox on State Street. He name-drops celebrities like Robert De Niro and Spike Lee, and references sports teams like the Knicks and Nets. Alicia Keys praises the energy of New York, calling it a concrete jungle where dreams are made of and insinuating that the city's big lights inspire the people who live there. However, the lyrics also allude to the darker underbelly of the city, such as the prevalence of drugs and violence.


Overall, the lyrics of "Empire State of Mind" paint a vivid picture of New York as both a glamorous and gritty place, a city that's full of opportunities but also challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
An expression of enthusiasm and agreement


Yeah, I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
I used to live in Brooklyn, but now I live in the more affluent neighborhood of Tribeca


Right next to DeNiro, but I'll be hood forever
I live close to Robert DeNiro, but I will always remain true to my roots


I'm the new Sinatra, and since I made it here
I am the new Frank Sinatra, and since I have become successful in New York City


I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
I can succeed anywhere, and people everywhere love me


I used to cop in Harlem, hola, my Dominicanos (dímelo)
I used to buy drugs in Harlem and greet my Dominican drug dealers


Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald's
On Broadway, I saw a McDonald's that brought back memories of my earlier days


Took it to my stashbox, 560 State Street
I took my drugs to my hiding place at 560 State Street


Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whippin' pastry
You can find me in the kitchen like a famous baker making delicious treats


Cruisin' down 8th St, off-white Lexus
I'm driving slow down 8th street in my off-white Lexus


Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
I'm driving slowly because I'm from Brooklyn, which is not known for its fast pace like Texas


Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
I'm from Bed-Stuy, the neighborhood where Notorious B.I.G. grew up


Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
Now I am famous and my friends have become famous with me


Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Say hello to Ty-Ty, who is still drinking Mai Tais with me


Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
I sit courtside at basketball games and get high fives from both the Knicks and the Nets players


Nigga I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
I'm wearing a lot of Spike Lee merchandise and could easily distract a referee


Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from
My attitude gives off a clear indication that I am from


In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
I am referring to New York City


Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
New York City is a tough, urban environment where many people come to pursue their dreams


There's nothin' you can't do (yeah) (okay)
The city is full of opportunities, and you can succeed at anything you want to do


Now you're in New York (ah-ha, ah-ha, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
If you are in New York City, you are experiencing the same struggles and chances as everyone else in the city


These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
The city can be transformative, offering a new start or perspective


Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
The bright lights of the city can be motivating and inspiring


Let's hear it for New York (you're welcome, OG) (come on)
Let's give applause and appreciation for New York City


New York (yeah), New York (uh) (I made you hot, nigga)
New York City is hot and popular, and I contributed to that popularity


Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
You can find me with OG at a New York Yankees game at Yankee Stadium (the X)


Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous then a Yankee can
I have made the Yankee hat more popular than the team itself


You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
I am a fan of the New York Yankees, but I am not affiliated with the gang, the Crips


But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
I have a group of friends who support me and are always with me


Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
New York City is a melting pot of cultures, but there are also drug dealers selling drugs on street corners


Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
Bronx DJ, Afrika Bambaataa, pioneered hip-hop music in New York City


Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
Different types of cabs are available in NYC, including yellow cabs, unlicensed gypsy cabs, and cheaper dollar cabs


For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
People who are not from NYC may find it tough to adjust to the fast-paced, crowded environment and forget their manners


Eight million stories, out there in the naked
There are eight million people in NYC, each with their own story, and they are exposed and vulnerable in the city


City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
The city can be cruel and unforgiving, and many people will fail to achieve their dreams


Me, I got a plug, Special Ed "I Got It Made"
I have a reliable connection to drugs, just like Special Ed's song "I Got It Made"


If Jeezy's payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
If rapper Jeezy is giving money to LeBron James, I am giving money to Dwyane Wade (both NBA basketball players)


Three dice Cee-lo, three-card Monte
References to popular street gambling games in NYC, Cee-lo and three-card Monte


Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
The Labor Day parade in NYC is known for its Caribbean culture, and the reggae legend Bob Marley is remembered


Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
References to two of NYC's most iconic landmarks, the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center


Long live the king yo, I'm from the Empire State that's
References to the nickname for New York State, the Empire State, and a claim to be the king of NYC


One hand in the air for the big city (uh)
A show of support for the city


Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty (uh)
The city has a lot of potential and can be attractive


No place in the world that could compare
There is nowhere else in the world like NYC


Put your lighters in the air everybody say
Let's all celebrate and show support


"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
An expression of enthusiasm and agreement


Lights is blinding, girls need blinders
The bright lights of the city can be overwhelming, and women need sunglasses to block them out


So they can step out of bounds quick, the sidelines is
So they can avoid getting distracted, the women need to stay focused and stay out of trouble


Lined with casualties, who sip the life casually
The city is full of people who casually drink and live life recklessly, leading to unfortunate consequences


Then gradually become worse, don't bite the apple, Eve
Things can go downhill quickly, so you should avoid temptation and mistakes, like when Eve bit the apple in the Bible


Caught up in the in-crowd, now you're in style
Being popular and following the crowd can be tempting, and you may find yourself changing your style to fit in


End of the winter gets cold, en vogue, with your skin out
Despite the cold weather at the end of winter, people may still dress in a fashionable way that shows off their skin


City of sin, it's a pity on a whim
NYC is known for its sinful behavior, and people may make bad decisions on a whim


Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
In NYC, even good girls can go bad due to the city's influence


Mommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
A reference to a woman going on a bus trip and now is showing off her chest


Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
Everyone takes advantage of her, the same way everyone takes the same bus route


"Hail Mary" to the city, you're a virgin
A reference to the Catholic prayer and the idea that you are pure when you come to the city


And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end
Even with faith, the city can corrupt and change you


Came here for school, graduated to the high life
People come to NYC for education and end up living the high life


Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
Celebrities in the sports and music industry are drawn to the attention and fame that the city can offer


MDMA got you feelin' like a champion (come on, come on, come on)
The drug MDMA can make you feel invincible, as if you are a champion


The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien
The city is constantly active, so you may need medication like Ambien to help you sleep




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexander William Shuckburgh, Alicia J Augello-Cook, Shawn C Carter, Angela Hunte, Bert Keyes, Sylvia Robinson, Janette Sewell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@theharshtruthoutthere

@@susanarsoniadou To every soul OUT THERE:
All prayers from Righteous SOULS aka Born again Christians, have power. Sinners prayers GOD hears not. Unless we REPENT and born again and LIVE HOLY, GOD hears none of our prayers. Prayers have power, but these must come from Changed hearts.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Psalms 119:155 “Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.”


(Many souls(unsaved souls), believe falsely and pray in vain).
Mankind is filled with UNSAVED SOULS (WICKED SINNERS).
That`s why there`s a calling to REPENTANCE and to BORN AGAIN:
Luke 5:32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
John 3:7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.



@apollo2276

Jay Z..

After seeing this information from a freemason himself, I think everyone will soon realise everything is much bigger than what we are led to believe.
YouTube deleted a link I put on over 20 times??

Disgusting they think they have a right to do so????

All part of a secret society who are controlling everything we do. And Jay Z all a part of it. You know what to look for it's in plain site.
Look up Will Jova channel. The video is called - worlds secret religion by Altiyan Childs.

Every single human being that sees this will cry...
Your life and what you think you know about people like Jay Z is a complete lie...
The information will answer all your questions as to what's really going on in the world currently and why. At the same time rip your heart out once you know the truth. But people NEED to know the truth.

Hence why YouTube deleted the link as they are all a part of it. Everyone you have ever looked up to famous wise, is all a part of it.
Fooled?? People have only so far seen the tip of the iceberg unfortunately I can assure you.

Watch the video please people it will change your life.
The world is NOT what you see.



All comments from YouTube:

@chicken

This song honestly is a forever classic and it still sounds fresh today.💖

@EmmanuelBenChaim

True

@Yeetasaurus9-yv4eo

Ugh daddy😂

@SJR-ol4kq

Did you know that, the music was remastered?

@INOTNAOMI

True

@canadiansoviet

Yuh dawg

29 More Replies...

@chicken

Its March 2024, let's see how many legends are listening to this incredible song💖

@Ichibe_goat

Wsg bro me

@tumelomsimango7257

still listening 🎶

@jagathprasantha2527

still

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