Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z f. Alicia Keys Lyrics

Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation.

Yeah, I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
I used to live in Brooklyn, but now I reside in Tribeca.

Right next to De Niro, but I'll be hood forever
I'm in close proximity to Robert De Niro, but I'll always maintain my authentic identity.

I'm the new Sinatra, and since I made it here
I am the modern-day equivalent of Frank Sinatra, and because I achieved success in New York City,

I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
I have proven that I can be successful anywhere, as my popularity extends beyond New York City.

I used to cop in Harlem, hola, my Dominicanos (dímelo)
I used to purchase drugs in Harlem, greeting my Dominican friends.

Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald's
Near Broadway, there was a McDonald's that reminded me of my past struggles.

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

Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whippin' pastry
You may find me in the kitchen, cooking like a highly skilled pastry chef.

Cruisin' down 8th St, off-white Lexus
Driving leisurely down 8th Street in my off-white Lexus.

Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
Driving at a slow pace, even though BK (Brooklyn) is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, just like Texas.

Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
I am from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the birthplace of the legendary rapper Biggie Smalls.

Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
Now, I am prominent on the Billboard charts, and I have brought my friends along on this journey.

Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Send greetings to Ty-Ty, we're still enjoying our refreshing Mai Tais.

Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
Sitting in the front row at basketball games, the Knicks and Nets players acknowledge me with high fives.

Nigga, I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
I am heavily adorned in Spike Lee's fashion brand, and I could provoke a referee to make a mistake.

Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from
One can determine my origin by observing my demeanor and attitude, which clearly aligns with my New York City roots.

In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Referring to the city of New York with an expression of excitement or acknowledgment.

Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
New York City is a place filled with challenges and opportunities that shape and fulfill aspirations.

There's nothin' you can't do (yeah) (okay)
In this city, there are limitless possibilities, and you have the power to achieve whatever you desire.

Now you're in New York (ah-ha, ah-ha, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Now that you are in New York City, you experience the vibrant energy and spirit of the place.

These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
Walking these streets will invoke a sense of rejuvenation and a fresh perspective.

Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
The grandeur and brightness of the city lights will motivate and stimulate you.

Let's hear it for New York (you're welcome, OG) (uh)
Let's celebrate and show appreciation for the greatness of New York City (acknowledging its influence as the birthplace of hip-hop).

New York (yeah), New York (uh) (I made you hot, nigga)
Reiterating the city's name to emphasize its significance and expressing pride in contributing to its cultural impact.

Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
You can find me with my mentor at a New York Yankees baseball game at Yankee Stadium.

Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can
I have popularized the New York Yankees' hat to the extent that it exceeds the fame of even the baseball team itself.

You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
I have strong loyalty towards the New York Yankees (symbolized 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 close friends who are always by my side.

Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
Welcome to the diverse city where various cultures converge, but unfortunately, drug dealing occurs on many street corners.

Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
Referring to the influence of Afrika Bambataa, the pioneer of hip-hop culture, and acknowledging New York City as its birthplace.

Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
Different types of taxis, including licensed yellow cabs and unlicensed gypsy and dollar cabs, are available. Hail one and respond if they acknowledge you.

For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
Foreigners often behave inappropriately, as if they have forgotten how to conform to societal standards.

Eight million stories, out there in the naked
There are eight million individual stories unfolding in the city, laid bare for all to see.

City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
The city can be harsh and unforgiving, and half of its residents will not succeed in achieving their dreams.

Me, I got a plug, Special Ed, 'I Got It Made'
I have influential connections that grant me access to resources and success, just like the rapper Special Ed and his hit song 'I Got It Made.'

If Jeezy's payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
If the rapper Jeezy is financially supporting basketball player LeBron James, then I am supporting Dwyane Wade.

Three dice Cee-lo, three-card Monte
Playing the dice game Cee-lo with three dice and engaging in the gambling trick known as three-card Monte.

Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
Participating in the Labor Day Parade and paying tribute to the late Bob Marley, a legendary musician.

Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
Acknowledging the Statue of Liberty as an iconic symbol of freedom and expressing solidarity with the World Trade Center, despite its tragic history.

Long live the king, yo, I'm from the Empire State that's
Paying homage to the deceased rapper The Notorious B.I.G., referring to myself as the reigning king of New York and emphasizing my connection to the state.

Lights is blinding, girls need blinders
The city lights are overpowering, and women need metaphorical blinders to stay focused and not get distracted.

So they can step out of bounds quick, the sidelines is
Wearing blinders enables women to quickly assert themselves and go against societal norms.

Lined with casualties, who sip the life casually
The sidelines are filled with people who sip the opportunities and privileges of life without fully embracing or valuing them.

Then gradually become worse, don't bite the apple, Eve
Over time, these individuals deteriorate morally and professionally, cautioning against succumbing to temptation and repeating the mistakes of Eve in the biblical story.

Caught up in the in-crowd, now you're in style
Being overly influenced by popular trends and now being accepted and fashionable as a result.

Into the winter gets cold, en vogue, with your skin out
As winter approaches, it becomes cold, but you remain fashionable and expose your skin to be 'in vogue.'

City of sin, it's a pity on a whim
New York City is known for its sinful behaviors and it is a shame to succumb to those impulses without much thought.

Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
Many well-behaved women have fallen into bad habits because the city tempts and corrupts them.

Mommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
A mother embarked on a journey, likely for employment, and now she has achieved success and is financially stable.

Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
Everyone takes advantage of her newfound success, just as they would use a bus route without any genuine care.

'Hail Mary' to the city, you're a virgin
Using the phrase 'Hail Mary' as an invocation or prayer to the city, acknowledging its purity and naivety.

And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end
No divine intervention can protect you in this city, and true life experiences begin once you leave the confines of religious institutions.

Came here for school, graduated to the high life
Initially arriving in the city for education, but eventually attaining a luxurious lifestyle.

Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
Professional athletes and successful rappers are drawn to the attention and fame that accompanies being in the spotlight.

MDMA got you feelin' like a champion (come on, come on, come on)
Consuming the drug MDMA makes you feel invincible and triumphant.

The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien
The city remains active at all hours, so you might as well take a sleep aid like Ambien to ensure rest.

One hand in the air for the big city (uh)
Raising one hand in the air as a salute or tribute to the grandeur of the city.

Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty (uh)
The city's illuminated streets symbolize the aspirations and ambitions of its inhabitants, which may appear attractive and alluring.

No place in the world that could compare (nah)
There is no other location on Earth that can rival or compete with the distinctiveness of New York City.

Put your lighters in the air everybody say
Hold up your lighters as a collective gesture of participation and repeat the following statement.

"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
"Yeah, yeah" - an enthusiastic and encouraging response from the crowd.

"Yeah, yeah" (I'm from New York)
"Yeah, yeah" - reaffirming my origin and connection to New York City.

In New York (uh, yeah) (ohh)
Acknowledging the city of New York with confidence and excitement.

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
New York City is a place where aspirations and ambitions come to fruition.

There's nothin' you can't do (okay)
In this limitless city, there are no boundaries to what you can achieve.

Now you're in New York (uh, yeah)
Now that you are in New York City, you can experience all it has to offer.

These streets will make you feel brand new
Walking the streets of New York will evoke a sense of rejuvenation and provide fresh opportunities.

Big lights will inspire you (okay)
The grandeur and brightness of the city lights will motivate and spark inspiration within you.

Let's hear it for New York (uh)
Let's give applause and support to the greatness of New York City.

New York (yeah), New York (uh)
Reiterating the city's name to emphasize its influence and importance.