Empire State Of Mind
Jay-Z mit Alicia Keys Lyrics

Yeah
An expression of affirmation and agreement

Yeah, I'm up at Brooklyn
I am currently in the Brooklyn area

Now I'm down in Tribeca
I have moved to the Tribeca area

Right next to DeNiro
Located in close proximity to famous actor Robert DeNiro

But I'll be hood forever
Despite my success, I will never forget my roots and my origins in the inner city

I'm the new Sinatra
I am a modern and successful musician like Frank Sinatra

And since I made it here
Because I have achieved success in New York City

I can make it anywhere
I am confident in my abilities to succeed in any situation or location

Yeah they love me everywhere
I am renowned and respected in many places outside of New York City as well

I used to cop in Harlem
I used to purchase goods, likely drugs, in the Harlem area

All of my Dominicanos
Referring to my Dominican friends and associates

Right there up on Broadway
In the area of Broadway, which is known for its bustling activity

Brought me back to that McDonald's
A reminiscence of visiting a McDonald's restaurant in the area

Took it to my stash spot
Referring to hiding and keeping something, possibly illegal, in a secure location

560 State Street
Referring to the address of a property, possibly a location of personal significance

Catch me in the kitchen like the Simmons whippin' pastry
Cooking in the kitchen like the famous pastry chef, Duff Goldman

Cruising down 8th Street
Driving leisurely down 8th Street, potentially enjoying the sights and atmosphere of the city

Off-white Lexus
Describing a luxury car

Driving so slow but B.K. is from Texas
Driving at a leisurely pace despite being from a city known for its fast-paced lifestyle

Me I’m up at Bed-Stuy
Referring to my current location in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood

Home of that boy Biggie
Reference to rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who was from the Bed-Stuy neighborhood

Now I live on Billboard
Having achieved significant success and fame, my image is now prominently displayed on musical billboards

And I brought my boys with me
My friends and associates are included in my success and journey

Say what up to Ty Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Sending a friendly greeting to a friend named Ty Ty, who is still enjoying Mai Tai cocktails

Sittin' courtside Knicks and Nets give me high fives
Enjoying the perks of my success, such as sitting courtside at basketball games where players give me high fives

Nigga I be spiked out
Wearing flashy and expensive jewelry

I can trip a referee
My presence and influence can cause a referee to make a biased or unfair call

Tell by my attitude that I most definitely from...
My demeanor and personality make it clear that I am from a particular place or background

Concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh
New York City is known for its fast-paced and competitive atmosphere where one can achieve great success

There's nothing you can't do
The city of New York offers endless possibilities and opportunities for success

Now you're in New York
Addressing someone who is currently in the city of New York

These streets will make you feel brand new
The energy and vibrancy of the city can have a transformative effect on a person

Big lights will inspire you
Referring to the bright lights of the city, as a source of inspiration and motivation

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York
Praising and celebrating the city of New York

I made you hot nigga
Referring to my influence and impact on the success and popularity of the city of New York

Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Showing off my status by attending a Yankee game with an OG (original gangster)

Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can
My influence and popularity have had a greater impact on the fame of the Yankee hat than the team itself

You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
Despite my loyalty and support for the city and its teams, I am not involved in gang activity

But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
I have a large group of friends and associates who are loyal and supportive of me and my success

Welcome to the melting pot
New York City is a diverse mix of cultures and ethnicities

Corners where we selling rock
Referring to drug dealing and the dangerous nature of some neighborhoods

Afrika Bambaataa shit
Referencing the influence of Afrika Bambaataa, a legendary hip-hop musician

Home of the hip-hop
New York City is known as the birthplace of hip-hop music

Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
Referring to various types of taxis and modes of transportation available in the city

For foreigners it ain't fair they act like they forgot how to add
Expressing frustration with tourists who appear to be unable to perform basic arithmetic when paying for goods or services

Eight million stories out there in the naked city it's a pity half of y'all won't make it
There are countless stories and opportunities in New York City, but unfortunately, not everyone will be able to achieve success

Me I gotta plug Special Ed 'I got it made'
Referencing a popular hip-hop song from the 1980s by Special Ed

If Jeezy's payin' LeBron, I'm payin' Dwayne Wade
I am willing to pay for the company of successful and well-known individuals, just like rapper Young Jeezy may be willing to pay NBA player LeBron James for his services

Three dice Cee-lo
Referring to a popular street game played with dice

Three-card Monte
Referring to a popular gambling game using cards

Labor Day parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
A tribute to musician Bob Marley, who is no longer with us, often celebrated during the Labor Day parade

Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade
Acknowledging two iconic landmarks, the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center

Long live the king yo
Paying homage to the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.

I’m from the Empire State that's...
Revealing my home state, New York

Welcome to the bright light...
Welcoming someone to the bright lights and exciting energy of New York City

Lights is blinding
The intensity and brightness of the lights can be overwhelming

Girls need blinders
Women may need to be able to focus and block out distractions in order to be successful

Or they can step out of bounds quick
If they do not remain focused and grounded, women may end up in trouble or making poor decisions

The sidelines is lined with casualties
The sidelines of success are littered with those who were unable to make it and suffered as a result

Who sipping life casually, then gradually become worse
Those who are living life carelessly may eventually suffer consequences and hardships as a result

Don't bite the apple Eve
A warning not to make poor choices, as referenced in the biblical story of Adam and Eve

Caught up in the in crowd
Being swept up in trends, fads, and popular culture can be dangerous and unproductive

Now you're in-style
Being fashionable and trendy can be alluring and tempting

And in the winter gets cold en vogue with your skin out
Even when the weather is cold, fashion and appearance are still a priority for some

The city of sin is a pity on a whim
Sin and temptation are easily accessible and can lead people down a path of ruin

Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
The city can often have a corrupting influence on people, even those who were once good and innocent

Mommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust out, everybody ride her, just like a bus route
A cautionary tale about the dangers of taking risks and making poor choices, as a mother (or any person) may end up being used and taken advantage of by others

Hail Mary to the city you're a virgin
Asking for divine protection and guidance, as someone (potentially a newcomer to the city) may be vulnerable and inexperienced

And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church ends
No one is safe from the harsh realities of life, as even religious institutions and figures cannot protect individuals from harm

Came here for school, graduated to the high life
Starting out as a student but eventually achieving significant success and wealth in the city

Ballplayers, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
The allure of success and fame can be intoxicating and addictive, even for athletes and musicians

MDMA got you feeling like a champion
Referring to the drug ecstasy, which can give users a sense of euphoria and confidence

The city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien
The city is always active and energized, and one may need medication to help them sleep

There's nothing you can’t do
Emphasizing the limitless possibilities and opportunities available in the city

One hand in the air for the big city
Celebrating the city and its significance

Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty
Describing the picturesque and captivating nature of the city at night

No place in the world that can compare
Asserting that the city is truly unique and special

Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeaaahh
Encouraging everyone to join in and celebrate New York City together