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Martin Andrew of PopMatters called the song "yet another chance" for Jay-Z to show his respect to New York, but commented that it "remains interesting thanks to a fantastic Al Shux beat and celebratory hook from Alicia Keys." Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News said that Keys "croons" on the track's chorus line, "I'm from Neeeeww Yooooork/These streets will make you feel brand-new/Bright lights will inspire you." Pete Cashmore of NME described Alicia Keys's cameo as "lusty bellowing", embellishing the "crashing piano chords". a New York flag-waver with plenty of landmark name-dropping that turns into a great anthem with help on the chorus from Alicia Keys". Jon Bush of AllMusic listed the song as being a highlight from The Blueprint 3, commenting that it is Jay-Z's "king of crossovers.
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"Empire State of Mind" received widespread critical acclaim, with most reviewers praising Keys' vocal performance. "So it actually took a couple of times, but every time, the energy was just so high." Critical reception Reviews Music critics commended Alicia Keys for her chorus line. "I came back and revisited it so that it could be what it is now", Keys added. With the way I sang it the first time, I was actually kind of sick, and I knew that he needed the record, so I was like, 'Let me get to it.'" Keys had been congested when she first recorded the vocals and redid them after Jay-Z wasn't satisfied with her original take. Keys said that while recording the song she wanted to make sure she got the hook right explaining, "I did try it a couple of times, but it was more about capturing the kind of grand feeling of it. Mariel Concepcion of Billboard magazine wrote that "Jay-Z gives a nod to his hometown over a simple piano pattern". Drug dealing references, " N-words", and profanity are also present throughout the song. The song opens with lyrics referencing locations in New York, and name-checks notable neighborhoods and captures the city's essence from attending Knicks basketball games to its famous residents. It has a sequence of F ♯–C ♯/B–B–F ♯ as its chord progression, throughout the single Keys' vocal range changes from the register of A ♯ 3 to C ♯ 5. The song is played at a moderate tempo of 84 beats per minute and is written in the key of F# major. Stephen Dalton of The Times described the song as an "orchestral rap ballad". The piano component that runs throughout the song contains a sample of the 1970 single " Love on a Two-Way Street", written by Burt Keyes and Sylvia Robinson, performed by The Moments. "Empire State of Mind" is a hip hop song that features rap verses from Jay-Z and vocals during the song's chorus from Keys. Problems playing this file? See media help. Composition and recordingĪ sample of "Empire State of Mind" featuring Jay-Z rapping the last part of the second verse, and Alicia Keys singing the chorus. In December 2009 Hunte, who would not reveal many details, said the original version of "Empire State of Mind" will one day be released, adding that "The original is so powerful it's only a matter of time till you hear it down the line". "There was a first phone call, and Jay : 'I feel like I have this record that's going to be the anthem of New York.The piano, the way the style, the whole flow, and it couldn't be the anthem of New York without you.' Obviously, I'm very grateful to him for reaching out to me and for that type of ability to represent my hometown.I went to the studio, and I fell in love from the jump."