Jay z empire state of mind album professional#
Jay z empire state of mind album series#

While вЂњNew York, New YorkвЂќ is blindingly positive and hopeful, вЂњEmpireвЂќ doesnвЂ™t shy from discussing the cityвЂ™s seedier underbelly. Their street cred cemented their status as city icons, because in the quintessential New York narrative, the hustler is the hero. вЂњGangsterism in America isnвЂ™t just about crime and money, itвЂ™s about the triumph of the weak over authority and adversity,вЂќ says Kaplan. As members of historically disenfranchised groups (Italian Americans like Sinatra occupied a racial вЂњmiddle groupвЂќ in the early-mid 20th century), their shadowy pasts are seen as markers of authentic struggle. In his first verse, Jay Z boldly and prophetically dubs himself вЂњthe new Sinatra.вЂќ Both self-made men share histories of entanglements with crime and gangsterism (Jay Z was a drug dealer and indicted for stabbing, while Sinatra fraternized with-and even idolized- the mob).

The rapper geographically maps his rags to riches story, from вЂњcopping in HarlemвЂќ and вЂњstashing at 560 State Street,вЂќ to counting De Niro as his as Tribeca neighbor.Д®arly in the вЂњEmpireвЂќ rise, Jay Z happily cited the two songsвЂ™ similarities, often playing parts of вЂњNew York, New YorkвЂќ before вЂњEmpireвЂќ in sets. While вЂњNew York, New YorkвЂќ is a more general story of вЂњcome upвЂќ and ambition, вЂњEmpireвЂќ delves into Jay ZвЂ™s biography. Lyrically, вЂњNew York, New YorkвЂќ and вЂњEmpireвЂќ bolster New YorkвЂ™s foundational myths of opportunity, freedom, and mobility-and the assumption that good things come to those who hustle. And whatвЂ™s that song about? The fulfillment of that dream.вЂќ He grew up in Hoboken, staring out across the great water to the Emerald City, dreaming of succeeding there. вЂњHe also felt a strong bond with the lyrics. вЂњ felt it was a hit and he wanted hits, especially at this point in his career,вЂќ says James Kaplan, author of Frank: The Voice and Sinatra: The Chairman. вЂњWhat song has come out in the past 10 years that feels more celebratory, more like an anthem, or more aspirational than вЂEmpire State of MindвЂ™вЂќ?ДЄs intended, вЂњEmpireвЂќ earned a reputation as the 21st century вЂњTheme from New York, New York.вЂќ The song from Martin ScorseseвЂ™s 1977 flop of a film only became the theme to New York, New York when Frank Sinatra began performing it in 1980. вЂњIt just sounds like a victory,вЂќ says Carl Chery, Head of Urban Music at Spotify. It was a victory for its creators, and for the city it repped. After its release earlier that fall, the instant hit ascended to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 by November 26th, and remained there for five consecutive weeks. Jay Z and Alicia KeysвЂ™s cinematic record impacted New York like no hometown anthem had in years. The city was buzzing with pride, and seemingly every cab, bodega, radio station, and bar was bumping the same infectious song: вЂњEmpire State of Mind.'

Jay z empire state of mind album series#

And on November 4th, the new Yankee Stadium was christened with the teamвЂ™s first World Series win in nearly a decade. The Great Recession, which caused 8 million Americans to lose their jobs and 2.5 million businesses to close their doors, was ending. Earlier that year, a charming state senator from Illinois, who had campaigned on messages of hope, became the first African American president of the United States. Two.Where were you the first time you heard 'Empire State of Mind'? For most New Yorkers, it was in the fall of 2009, a time that signaled the promise of better days ahead. This 15-track compilation includes most of his huge commercial anthems, such as his big breakthrough, the Annie-sampling 'Hard Knock Life' and guaranteed party starter 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.),' as well as the Neptunes-produced 'I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)' and Rick Rubin throwback banger '99 Problems.' Unfortunately, there's nothing here from his debut (and arguably best) album Reasonable Doubt, but hopefully that will be remedied on a forthcoming Vol. With so many smash singles under his belt, it's hard to believe it's taken so long for an official hits collection, but here it is. Musically, he has sold over 50 million albums, holds the record for most number one solo records on Billboard, and has won 10 GRAMMYВ®s.

Jay z empire state of mind album professional#

Besides his own record label and married bliss with BeyoncГ©, he is involved in a vast array of profitable business ventures, including professional sports, fashion, real estate, and nightclubs. From his humble beginnings, Jay-Z has built an empire that rivals that of nearly any other hip-hop artist before or since.