Empire State of Mind -- Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

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  Song: Empire State of Mind
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  Artist: Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
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  Album: The Blueprint 3
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  Rating: 4 Stars

Owl City with Seattle, Fall Out Boy with Chicago, and now Jay-Z with New York City.  With the help of Alicia Keys, Jay-Z's recent award-winning song, Empire State of Mind, celebrates the beauty and inspiring light of the city that never sleeps.

In Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z is talking about his history and love for New York City.  He used to be poor, but has made money, and even though he has moved away, he still loves New York.  Every kind and color of person lives in New York, and that is where life-changing events and amazing things have happened.  Jay-Z also talks about how people sometimes change when they come to New York.  He says that you should not lose sight of who you are because the city will change you for the worse if you let it.  In the chorus, Alicia sings about how dreams are made in New York, and that there is nothing you cannot do there.  She sings of how everything about the city is inspiring, even the lights, and that everything, and anything can be better in New York.

Typical of rap, the sound of the song is very simple. Jay-Z and Alicia's vocals, a piano, and a drumbeat.  Towards the end of the song a few stringed instruments make a subtle appearance in support of the piano.  The sound suits the songs well, allowing the lyrics to shine through and make an impact on the listener.  The stark contrast between Jay-Z's rap and Alicia's soaring vocals only intensify this effect.  Empire State of Mind displays both the glamour and the dark sides of New York City in a thought-provoking, and beautiful way.

For more artist information, go to http://www.jay-z.com/