Empire State of Mind
JayZ/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)
“Empire State of Mind” is a track that exalts New York City by emphasizing the bright lights, perpetual activity, and unlimited opportunities that the city embodies. JayZ and Alicia Keys give ode to several New York landmarks and icons, from Frank Sinatra to the Brooklyn Nets. In the first verse, Jay-Z raps about his personal transition from dealing drugs to being a successful artist who has made it to the “top of the pile” in New York City. He uses his success story as an inspiration and serves as a role model for the young and underprivileged that "if he can make it there, anybody can make it anywhere." He also raps about the streets of New York, emphasizing that they can make you feel “brand new”, and that you can do “anything you want to do”. Alicia Keys comes in on the chorus, repeating “New York”, which embodies the phrase “if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere”.
JayZ’s verse also looks at New York City as an inclusive space, inviting immigrants and all race to pursue their American dream. He raps about the melting pot that is New York, where people from all over the world come to chase their dreams. The song also talks about the socio-economic challenges that come with living in the city, as Jay-Z references the drug dealing in the streets and a city that can make you “good or bad”. However, the concept of New York’s resilience, self-confidence, and pride are evident throughout the lyrics, with the song celebrating the city’s vibrancy and the sense of personal independence and ambition that comes with being there.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
An exclamation used to express agreement, confirmation, or encouragement.
Yeah, I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
I used to live in Brooklyn, but now I live in Tribeca.
Right next to DeNiro, but I'll be hood forever
I live close to Robert DeNiro, but I will always be true to my roots.
I'm the new Sinatra, and since I made it here
I am the modern-day version of Frank Sinatra and my success in New York City proves that.
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
My success in New York City is proof that I can succeed anywhere and people all over the world love my music.
I used to cop in Harlem, hola, my Dominicanos (dímelo)
I used to buy drugs in Harlem and greet my Dominican friends.
Right there up on Broadway, brought me back to that McDonald's
I remember my roots when I walk past the McDonald's on Broadway.
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State Street
I hid my drugs in my stash box at 560 State Street.
Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whippin' pastry
I am in the kitchen cooking like Russell Simmons.
Cruisin' down 8th St, off-white Lexus
I am driving an off-white Lexus down 8th Street.
Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
I am driving slowly, even though people from Brooklyn are known for driving fast.
Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
I am from Bed-Stuy, the same neighborhood as Notorious B.I.G.
Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
I am successful and my friends are also successful.
Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
I am giving a shoutout to my friend Ty-Ty who is still drinking Mai Tais.
Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
I am sitting next to the court at Knicks and Nets games and getting high fives from the players.
Nigga I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
I am wearing Spike Lee-inspired attire and could potentially trip a referee.
Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from
My attitude and demeanor prove that I am from
In New York (ayy, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
I am in New York City.
Concrete jungle (yeah) where dreams are made of
New York City is a tough and chaotic place, but it is also where dreams come true.
There's nothin' you can't do (yeah) (okay)
Anything is possible in New York City.
Now you're in New York (ah-ha, ah-ha, ah-ha) (uh, yeah)
Now that you're in New York City, you can accomplish anything.
These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
The hustle and bustle of New York City can make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
The bright lights of New York City will motivate and inspire you to achieve your dreams.
Let's hear it for New York (you're welcome, OG) (come on)
Let's give New York City a round of applause.
New York (yeah), New York (uh) (I made you hot, nigga)
New York City is hot right now and I had a part in making that happen.
Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
Meet me at the X with OG at a Yankees game.
Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous then a Yankee can
I made the Yankees baseball cap 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 and their colors, but I am not in a gang.
But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
I have a group of friends walking with me.
Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
Welcome to New York City, where people from all backgrounds can live together, and also where drugs are sold on street corners.
Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
New York City is the birthplace of hip-hop, like Afrika Bambaataa.
Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
In New York City, there are many types of cabs and modes of transportation.
For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
Sometimes tourists in New York City act like they have forgotten their manners.
Eight million stories, out there in the naked
There are eight million people in New York City and each of them has a story to tell.
City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
It's a shame that half of the people in New York City won't achieve their dreams.
Me, I got a plug, Special Ed "I Got It Made"
I have a connection that allows me to succeed, like the rapper Special Ed's song "I Got It Made".
If Jeezy's payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
If Young Jeezy is paying LeBron James, then I am paying Dwyane Wade.
Three dice Cee-lo, three-card Monte
Cee-lo is a popular dice game and three-card Monte is a popular street gambling game in New York City.
Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley
The Labor Day Parade in New York City is a celebration of Caribbean culture, which includes Jamaican artist Bob Marley.
Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
Let's remember the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center, both iconic structures in New York City's history.
Long live the king yo, I'm from the Empire State that's
I am from the Empire State (New York) and I pay homage to the late Notorious B.I.G., also known as the King of New York.
There's nothin' you can't do (that boy good) (okay)
Anything is possible in New York City, the land of opportunity.
Now you're in New York (uh, yeah)
Now that you're in New York City, the sky's the limit.
(Welcome to the bright lights, baby)
Welcome to the bright lights of New York City.
These streets will make you feel brand new
The hustle and bustle of New York City can make you feel refreshed and inspired.
Big lights will inspire you (okay)
The bright lights of New York City will motivate and inspire you.
Let's hear it for New York (come on)
Let's give New York City a round of applause.
New York (yeah), New York (uh)
New York City is the place to be.
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