Empire State of Mind
Jay Z feat. Alicia Keys Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah

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
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State Street
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)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys are an ode to the city of New York, particularly the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan where the two artists grew up. The song reflects on Jay-Z's experiences growing up in Brooklyn, where he used to buy drugs in Harlem, and his aspirations to become a successful artist in New York's music industry. He compares himself to Frank Sinatra, suggesting that he has achieved the same level of success as the legendary crooner. He also references his friends, such as Ty-Ty, and his appreciation for New York's sports teams, the Knicks and Nets.


Alicia Keys contributes to the chorus, which speaks to the idea that New York is a place where dreams come true. She describes the city as a "concrete jungle" where anything is possible, and where its iconic landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center, provide inspiration for those chasing success. The song also touches on the city's darkest elements, such as drug use, crime, and the exploitation of women, which are all consequences of the fast-paced, high-intensity lifestyle that New York is known for.


Overall, "Empire State of Mind" is a celebration of New York's spirit and its ability to inspire individuals to achieve their dreams, despite the obstacles they may face. It showcases both the gritty and the glamorous sides of the city, encapsulating the many different facets of one of the most iconic and diverse cities in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
An expression of agreement or excitement


Yeah I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in Tribeca
I used to live in Brooklyn, but now I live in a different neighborhood called Tribeca


Right next to DeNiro, but I'll be hood forever
I have a famous actor, Robert DeNiro, as my neighbor, but I will always be true to my roots


I'm the new Sinatra, and, since I made it here
I am a new version of Frank Sinatra, and since I have become successful in New York City


I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere
I can be successful anywhere because people love and appreciate me


I used to cop in Harlem, all of my Dominicanos
I used to buy drugs in Harlem from my Dominican dealers


Right there up on Broadway, pull me back to that McDonald's
On the street of Broadway, there is a McDonald's that reminds me of my past experiences


Took it to my stashbox, 560 State St
I took the drugs I bought to my stash box located at 560 State Street


Catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons wippin' pastry's
You can find me in the kitchen cooking, just like the famous Simmons family who are known for their pastries


Cruisin' down 8th St, off white Lexus
I am driving on 8th Street in my off-white Lexus car


Drivin' so slow, but BK is from Texas
Although I am driving slowly, Brooklyn is known for being tough, like the state of Texas


Me, I'm out that Bed-Stuy, home of that boy Biggie
I am from Bed-Stuy, the neighborhood where the famous rapper The Notorious B.I.G (Biggie) grew up


Now I live on Billboard and I brought my boys with me
My music is now on the Billboard charts and I have brought my friends with me to enjoy my success


Say what up to Ty-Ty, still sippin' Mai Tais
Say hello to my friend Ty-Ty, who is still drinking Mai Tais


Sittin' courtside, Knicks and Nets give me high five
I am sitting in the front row at a basketball game, and players from both the Knicks and the Nets teams are giving me high fives


Nigga I be Spike'd out, I could trip a referee (come on, come on, come on)
I am wearing a lot of jewelry, just like famous movie director Spike Lee. I am so flashy that I could distract a referee in a basketball game


Tell by my attitude that I'm most definitely from
You can tell by my confidence and demeanor that I am definitely from New York City


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 like a jungle, and it is where people come to chase their dreams


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 are here in New York City, you can experience everything it has to offer


These streets will make you feel brand new (new)
New York City streets will give you a fresh perspective and a new outlook on life


Big lights will inspire you (come on) (okay)
The bright lights of New York City will inspire you to pursue 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)
New York City, the place where I became famous, and where I have made an impact


Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game
You can find me with my friend OG at a Yankees baseball game at the X (an abbreviation for the Yankee Stadium)


Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous then a Yankee can
I have become so famous that even the Yankees hat that I wear is more popular than the team itself


You should know I bleed blue, but I ain't a Crip though
I am a die-hard fan of the New York Yankees, but I am not a member of the street gang known as the Crips


But I got a gang of niggas walkin' with my clique though
I have a group of friends who are always with me wherever I go


Welcome to the melting pot, corners where we sellin' rock
Welcome to the diverse culture of New York City where people sell drugs on street corners


Afrika Bambataa shit, home of the hip-hop
New York City is the birthplace of hip-hop culture, and Afrika Bambataa is one of its pioneers


Yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back
There are different types of taxis in New York City, and if you need one, just call and they will respond


For foreigners it ain't fair, they act like they forgot how to act
For people who are not from New York City, it can be overwhelming, and they may not know how to behave


Eight million stories, out there in the naked
There are eight million people in New York City, and everyone has their own unique story


City is a pity, half of y'all won't make it
New York City can be harsh, and not everyone will succeed


Me, I got a plug, Special Ed "I Got It Made"
I have connections that allow me to be successful, like the lyrics from the Special Ed song "I Got It Made"


If Jesus payin' Lebron, I'm payin' Dwyane Wade
If Jesus can afford to pay LeBron James, then I can afford to pay Dwyane Wade


Three dice cee-lo, three card Monte
These are popular gambling games that are played on the streets of 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, and Bob Marley, a famous reggae musician, has passed away


Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade (come on, come on, come on)
The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom, and the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in 9/11, will always be remembered


Long live the King yo, I'm from the Empire State that's
Long live the king, referring to me, because I am from the Empire State, which is New York


There's nothin' you can't do (that boy good) (okay)
You can do anything you want in New York City


One hand in the air for the big city
Raise one hand in the air to show your love for the big city of New York


Street lights, big dreams, all lookin' pretty
The city lights, and the dreams of success that come with them, are beautiful


No place in the world that could compare
There is no other place in the world like New York City


Put your lighters in the air everybody say
Hold up your lighters and let's all say


"Yeah, yeah" (come on, come on, come on)
Say "yeah, yeah"


In New York (uh, yeah)
We are in New York City


Big lights will inspire you
New York City's bright lights will inspire you to chase your dreams


New York (yeah), New York (uh)
New York City, the place where anything is possible




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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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.



All comments from YouTube:

@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

607 More Replies...

@wx_av3937

Whos listening in 2024 ?? 😂🗣️

@Your_fav_vr_guy

Me

@eddiesguitar7831

heyyy

@user-ds7rd8yq7d

Me

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