In an interview with theVillage Voice on Tuesday, Jay-Z described the inspiration for his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, “Empire State of Mind” He explained the metaphor behind the track, and how it reflected a bittersweet quality of New York City.
“That’s why the third verse is dark, because, at the same time, the city is intoxicating,” he said. “It can sweep you up, and you can get sidetracked. You come here, and you take the city for granted—nightlife, things like that. I’ve seen it a million times. I’ve seen people come into the city—new girls come into town, and next month, they’re gone.”
After hearing the beat for the first time, Jay said he was “two seconds away” from calling Mary J. Blige who the rapper had collaborated with in the past. However, after hearing the song’s melody and piano sound, he decided that singer Alicia Keys would better fit the song and add to the track’s commercial appeal. Despite the song’s ode to New York, it did well on the charts and on radio stations around the country.
Hov also added that his favorite songs of 2009 were, interestingly enough, not Hip Hop tracks.
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“I think my #1 favorite is the Kings of Leon, ‘Use Somebody,’ ” he revealed. “Actually, it’s a tie between the two singles they had this year. ‘Sex on Fire,’ too. [Caleb Followill’s] voice, and the heart and soul in that, was incredible for me.”
In other news, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie plan to produce a remake of “We Are The World” in celebration of the historic track’s 25th anniversary, and in support of the relief effort in Haiti, according to Billboard.com. After the Grammys on Jan. 31, the duo plans to enlist artists like Usher, John Legend, Natalie Cole, and other nominees to participate in recording the track.
Other musicians who may appear on the song are Alicia Keys, Sting, Wyclef Jean, and Justin Timberlake.
