Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1) and R&B (#1); 2009
Story Behind The Song By Harris Sterling
In 2009, Jay-Z released Empire State of Mind as a single from his album The Blueprint 3. Written by Jay-Z along with Angela Hunte and Janet “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic, the song was originally conceived as a tribute to New York City.
Produced by Al Shux, the recording features a piano-driven arrangement and a soaring chorus performed by Alicia Keys. The combination of Jay-Z’s verses and Keys’ melodic hook gave the track broad crossover appeal.
Released in the fall of 2009, Empire State of Mind climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for five consecutive weeks. It also topped the R&B chart and became one of the most recognizable songs associated with New York.
The lyric blends personal narrative with civic pride, referencing Jay-Z’s upbringing in Brooklyn and the ambition often linked to the city. Rather than nostalgia alone, the tone emphasizes perseverance and possibility.
Empire State of Mind won two Grammy Awards and remains one of Jay-Z’s signature recordings, as well as a modern anthem for New York City.
Produced by:
Al Shux
Lyrics Written by:
Jay-Z
Angela Hunte
Janet Sewell-Ulepic
Awards:
Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (2011)
Grammy Award for Best Rap Song (2011)
Harris Sterling
Independent music label executive Harris Sterling has worked in the music industry for most of his career.
As Executive Vice President for independent music label Madacy Entertainment, he led the strategic marketing and business development for the label, negotiating agreements with the major record labels to release custom music compilations under license with major brands, such as Ford Motor Company, Crayola, Care Bears and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Harris also led Madacy’s strategy for the licensing of its entire music catalogue to Apple for their launch of the IPOD.
In 2011, Harris co-founded Starting Five Media, a company that specializes in recording and licensing custom renditions of popular songs as well as clearing the rights to the music composition for use by their clients in media projects.
Harris has negotiated publishing and master recording rights for many Top 40 songs for use in various media projects, TV Commercials and more.