Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z / 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)
The song "Empire State of Mind" is Jay-Z's ode to New York City, where he grew up and made it in the music industry. The lyrics speak to his journey from Brooklyn to Tribeca, and how he can make it anywhere now that he's made it in the city. He references the city's landmarks and neighborhoods, from Harlem to Broadway, and even shouts out a number of famous New Yorkers, including Robert DeNiro, Biggie Smalls, and Spike Lee. He also mentions the city's reputation for sin and excess, but also the hope and inspiration that can be found in the city's bright lights and endless possibilities.
Alicia Keys provides the song's chorus, which is a soaring anthem to the city. She sings about how the city's streets can make someone feel brand new and how the big lights can inspire them. The song captures the energy and excitement of New York City, while also acknowledging the tough side of life that many New Yorkers face.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Acknowledging that New York is an incredible place to be
Yeah, I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
I moved up in the world from Brooklyn to the affluent neighborhood of Tribeca
Right next to DeNiro, but I'll be hood forever
Despite my success, I will always identify with the struggle and hard work of the people of my old neighborhood
I'm the new Sinatra, and since I made it here
Just like Frank Sinatra, I have become an icon in New York
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
My success in New York has helped me gain acceptance all over the world
I used to cop in Harlem, hola, my Dominicanos (dímelo)
I used to buy drugs in Harlem, talking to my Dominican friends
Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald's
Seeing a McDonald's on Broadway reminded me of my humble beginnings
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State Street
I took the drugs I bought to my hiding spot at 560 State Street
Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whippin' pastry
I am busy working in the kitchen like a talented baker
Cruisin' down 8th St, off-white Lexus
Driving down Eighth Street in my off-white Lexus
Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
I may be driving slowly, but I still wear my Brooklyn pride like I'm from Texas
Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
I am from Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant, famous for being the hometown of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.
Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
I am now a successful artist and my friends are along for the ride
Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Shoutout to my friend Ty-Ty who is still enjoying Mai Tais
Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
I am sitting in the front row at basketball games and getting high fives from players on both New York teams
Nigga I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
I am dressed in designer clothes like famous director Spike Lee and could make a referee stumble
Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from
My demeanor lets others know I am without a doubt from
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
New York can be tough, but it's where people come to achieve their dreams
There's nothin' you can't do (yeah) (okay)
Anything is possible in New York if you work hard enough
Now you're in New York (ah-ha, ah-ha, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
You are now in the city that never sleeps
These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
The energy of this city can make you feel like a brand new person
Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
The bright lights and excitement of New York can be truly inspiring
Let's hear it for New York (you're welcome, OG) (come on)
Let's give a shoutout to the city that has given so much to us
New York (yeah), New York (uh) (I made you hot, nigga)
New York is hot and always will be thanks to me and my contemporaries
Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Come find me with my friend OG at Yankee Stadium
Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous then a Yankee can
The Yankee hat is now associated with me as much as it is with the team themselves
You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
I am loyal to the Yankees (who wear blue), but I am not affiliated with the Crips gang
But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
I have a group of friends who are always with me
Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
Welcome to the diverse city where drugs are sold on the corner
Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
This city is where hip-hop music was born, inspired by DJ Afrika Bambaataa
Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
There are plenty of taxi cabs in New York, so just hail one and get in
For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
Non-locals often struggle to navigate the city and can act rudely or clueless
Eight million stories, out there in the naked
There are eight million people living in New York, each with their own story
City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
New York can be hard and many people don't succeed
Me, I got a plug, Special Ed "I Got It Made"
I have a connection and am doing well, referencing the rapper Special Ed's song 'I Got It Made'
If Jeezy's payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
If rapper Young Jeezy is paying LeBron James, I am paying his teammate Dwyane Wade
Three dice Cee-lo, three-card Monte
Gambling with three dice or three-card Monte is a common street game in this city
Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
The Labor Day Parade is an annual event in Brooklyn; reggae icon Bob Marley passed away
Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
The Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center are important symbols of New York
Long live the king yo, I'm from the Empire State that's
I hail from New York, also known as the Empire State
One hand in the air for the big city (uh)
I am holding one hand up to show love for New York City
Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty (uh)
The lights and dreams of New York are alluring and attractive
No place in the world that could compare
New York City is truly unique and can't be compared to anywhere else
Put your lighters in the air everybody say
Everyone should raise their lighters and join in
"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
Chanting and showing enthusiasm for the greatness of New York
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
@user-ds7rd8yq7d
Me