Empire State of Mind
Jay‐Z feat. Alicia Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
Right next to De Niro, 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
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) (uh)
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 than 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) (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 (uh)
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
Into 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 (uh)
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 (nah)
Put your lighters in the air everybody say
"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
"Yeah, yeah" (I'm from New York)
In New York (uh, yeah) (ohh)
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 (uh)
New York (yeah), New York (uh)
Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind is a rap song that pays tribute to New York City. In the first verse, Jay-Z talks about his background and how he is from Brooklyn. He then describes how he moved to Tribeca, which is a neighborhood in Manhattan, right next to DeNiro. Jay-Z also refers to himself as the new Sinatra, implying that he is the new king of New York City. He mentions how he used to buy drugs in Harlem, and how he has now become successful enough to live in a penthouse apartment at 560 State Street.
In the chorus, Alicia Keys sings about how New York City is a place where dreams are made of. She talks about how anything is possible in the city, and how the big lights and sounds can inspire anyone.
In the second verse, Jay-Z talks about his love for the New York Yankees and how he has made their hat more famous than any player. He also refers to himself as coming from the Empire State, an obvious reference to New York. He mentions Afrika Bambataa, a hip-hop pioneer and how New York is the home of hip-hop. The verse talks about how New York is a melting pot of different cultures, and how it is a place where good girls go bad. The verse ends with the line "the city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
Yeah, I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
I've moved on from Brooklyn and now I reside in Tribeca
Right next to De Niro, but I'll be hood forever
Although I'm now surrounded by famous people like De Niro, I'll always remain true to my roots
I'm the new Sinatra, and since I made it here
I'm like the modern-day Frank Sinatra, and because I achieved success in New York
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
I have the confidence to succeed anywhere because I'm loved and respected by people everywhere
I used to cop in Harlem, hola, my Dominicanos (dímelo)
In the past, I used to buy drugs in Harlem, greeting my Dominican friends
Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald's
Being on Broadway reminded me of my humble beginnings, going back to eating at McDonald's
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State Street
I took the drugs to my hidden storage place at 560 State Street
Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whippin' pastry
You can find me in the kitchen, maneuvering and preparing drugs
Cruisin' down 8th St, off-white Lexus
Driving down 8th Street in my off-white Lexus
Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
Driving slowly, but representing Brooklyn even though I'm from Texas
Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
I'm from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the neighborhood where the renowned Biggie Smalls grew up
Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
Now my name is on the Billboard charts, and I've brought my friends along for the ride
Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Send my greetings to Ty-Ty, as we still enjoy sipping on Mai Tais
Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
Sitting in the best seats at basketball games, receiving high fives from players of both the Knicks and Nets
Nigga, I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
I'm heavily adorned with Spike Lee's fashion brand and I have the power to unsettle or provoke a referee
Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from
You can easily recognize my demeanor and behavior, which clearly indicate that I'm from
In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh yeah)
Referring to the experience of being in New York and expressing affirmation and excitement
Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
Referring to New York City as a place where ambitions and aspirations can come true
There's nothin' you can't do (yeah) (okay)
Emphasizing the limitless possibilities and opportunities available in New York
Now you're in New York (ah-ha, ah-ha, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Highlighting the fact that now the person is in New York, discovering all it has to offer
These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
The energy and atmosphere of the city will give you a fresh, invigorating feeling
Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
The bright lights of the city will ignite inspiration within you
Let's hear it for New York (you're welcome, OG) (uh)
Let's give a round of applause for New York, acknowledging its greatness and influence
New York (yeah), New York (uh) (I made you hot, nigga)
Referencing the fame and success brought to New York, indicating the singer's impact on the city
Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Meet me at Yankee Stadium with my mentor during a baseball game
Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can
I've made the Yankee hat a popular fashion statement, surpassing the fame of the baseball team itself
You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
I'm devoted to the Yankees, represented by their blue team colors, but I am not affiliated with the Crips gang
But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
However, I have a group of loyal individuals associated with me
Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
Welcome to the diverse place where different cultures blend, but also where we sell drugs on street corners
Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
Referencing Afrika Bambaataa, a pioneer of hip-hop, to signify that New York is the birthplace of the genre
Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
Different types of taxis in the city, including the unofficial unlicensed gypsy cabs, where you can call for a ride
For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
Foreigners sometimes behave inappropriately or rudely, as if they have forgotten social norms
Eight million stories, out there in the naked
There are millions of stories and experiences in the open streets and public spaces
City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
The city can be a harsh reality, and a large portion of the population will fail to attain their dreams
Me, I got a plug, Special Ed, 'I Got It Made'
I have a connection for drugs, just like the rapper Special Ed describes in his song 'I Got It Made'
If Jeezy's payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
If the rapper Young Jeezy is paying LeBron James, then I'm paying Dwyane Wade, highlighting their financial success
Three dice Cee-lo, three-card Monte
Playing the gambling game Cee-lo with three dice, or the popular street gambling game three-card Monte
Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
Referencing the celebration of Labor Day and paying respects to the late musician Bob Marley
Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
Acknowledging the Statue of Liberty and expressing wishes for the continued existence of the World Trade Center
Long live the king, yo, I'm from the Empire State that's
Long live the king; I'm proudly representing the Empire State, which is New York
Lights is blinding, girls need blinders
The lights are overwhelmingly bright, and girls require blinders to shield themselves from distractions
So they can step out of bounds quick, the sidelines is
The girls need blinders to prevent them from wandering off the path and facing potential troubles
Lined with casualties, who sip the life casually
The sidelines are filled with individuals who casually indulge in a dangerous or self-destructive lifestyle
Then gradually become worse, don't bite the apple, Eve
These people slowly deteriorate over time; they shouldn't succumb to temptation like Eve did in the biblical story
Caught up in the in-crowd, now you're in style
Catching the attention of the popular group, now you are considered fashionable
Into the winter gets cold, en vogue, with your skin out
As winter arrives and it gets cold, you remain fashionable and expose your skin despite the low temperatures
City of sin, it's a pity on a whim
The city is known for its sinful behavior, and it's unfortunate how easily people succumb to temptations
Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
Even good, innocent girls are influenced by the city and turn towards destructive behavior
Mommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
A mother took a bus trip to the city, and now she has achieved fame and success
Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
Everyone wants a piece of her, just like the busy route of a bus
"Hail Mary" to the city, you're a virgin
Offering a tribute or praise to the city, considering it to be pure and untouched
And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end
Jesus cannot rescue you; life only begins once you leave the confines of the church
Came here for school, graduated to the high life
I initially came to New York for education, but I subsequently transitioned to a luxurious and glamorous lifestyle
Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
Both professional athletes and famous rappers are compelled by the desire for attention and fame
MDMA got you feelin' like a champion (come on, come on, come on)
The drug MDMA makes you feel invincible, powerful, and successful
The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien
New York City is constantly bustling and active, so you might need to take a sleep aid like Ambien to rest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
New York City is a challenging environment filled with opportunities where dreams and aspirations can be realized
Let's hear it for New York (uh)
Let's cheer and applaud for the greatness of New York
One hand in the air for the big city (uh)
Showing one hand raised in support and admiration of the grand city
Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty (uh)
The lights of the streets and the aspirations of its residents make everything appear beautiful
No place in the world that could compare (nah)
There is no other place in the world that can rival or compare to New York
Put your lighters in the air everybody say
Hold your lighters up in the air as a symbol of unity, and everyone should say
"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
Exclaiming agreement or excitement
"Yeah, yeah" (I'm from New York)
Reiterating agreement and emphasizing that the artist is from New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
Describing New York City as a place where dreams and ambitions can be fulfilled
Let's hear it for New York (uh)
Let's show our appreciation and recognition for New York
New York (yeah), New York (uh)
Repeating the name of the city to assert its significance and impact
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
@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.
@kingbeef396
This song makes me feel like anything is possible.
@lyr1c180
In New York☝️
@sheepdavis
It's not
@nicholedoten6506
Less chance of 86n in the land of opportunity
@extrm161
https://youtu.be/o1D2q_YAxwQ
Only for real hip hop head's 👆
@nievescamacholara2549
@@palabrasb otsrwei nuevo yo ok
@wx_av3937
Whos listening in 2024 ?? 😂🗣️
@Your_fav_vr_guy
Me
@eddiesguitar7831
heyyy
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Me