Jay_z_empire_state_of_mind_ft_alicia_keys

: Initially, Jay-Z wasn't interested, but after the track was reworked with a sample of Isaac Hayes' "Love on a Two-Way Street," he saw its potential. Perfecting the Hook

: Jay-Z reportedly felt Keys' first vocal takes didn't have the right "energy" for the track.

When Alicia Keys was brought in for the chorus, the process wasn't instant magic. jay_z_empire_state_of_mind_ft_alicia_keys

: Hunte, who grew up in the same building as Jay-Z (560 State Street), sang the original demo vocals.

In 2009, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys released "Empire State of Mind," a track that quickly transformed from a hit single into the unofficial anthem of New York City. : Initially, Jay-Z wasn't interested, but after the

: She had to record the hook multiple times to capture the soaring, anthemic feel he wanted.

: Both songwriters were feeling deeply homesick for New York. : Hunte, who grew up in the same

: Today, the song is still played at sporting events, graduations, and city celebrations, serving as a "unifying" hit for New Yorkers. If you want to explore more about the music , tell me: A specific lyric you'd like decoded ? Other New York anthems to compare? More on Jay-Z's business empire ?