WATCH IT: Jay-Z f/ Alicia Keys "Empire State Of Mind"

By Steven Gottlieb on November 3, 2009 @ 10:27am PST | Comments (0)

When even the Wall Street Journal is forced to publicly pontificate whether or not "Empire State Of Mind" belongs on the shortlist of truly classic NYC songs, you know that Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have succeeded in creating an instant anthem. The video for the tune is exactly what it oughta be: A modern, rap video update of the defining b&w sightseeing tour that is Woody Allen's classic film, Manhattan. Director Hype Williams takes the viewer through locations that made an impact on Jay-Z, before flipping to color for a joint performance with Alicia Keys in Times Square. It's basically perfect, except for the missing  Lil Mama cameo. --> watch "Empire State Of Mind"

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Jay-Z f/ Alicia Keys "Empire State Of Mind" (RocNation)
Hype Williams, director | Abdur Rahman, producer | Naa'ila, production co 

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Comments

tommy's picture
By tommy
You liked that video? Really? They could do so much instead of taking a bunch of pictures...
Steven Gottlieb's picture
By Steven Gottlieb
I think this is a case where the song dictates the video pretty clearly: Its a tribute to NYC. (That said, it coulda been cool if they had plopped Jay and Alicia down in the middle of nowhere America to shoot the video.)
Dave's picture
By Dave
Not feeling this video at all. They could have done way better. I agree with Tommy. Garbage.
Bell's picture
By Bell
What is going on with this director??!! This was a slap in the face for all NYers! F*&K you very much Hype Williams...

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