“Empire State of Mind” was released in October 2009 as the third single from Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 album. The track — which is produced by Janet Sewell, Al Shux and Angela Hunte — went platinum two months later in December. It earned 9x-platinum status in June 2023, and pushed across the diamond-studded finish line this week.
Hov and Alicia Keys’ collaboration reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks while also topping the Rhythmic Airplay, Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
Jay-Z and Keys actually surprised fans by reuniting to perform “Empire State of Mind” in their hometown at the 2024 Tony Awards in June. “I had to do something crazy — it’s my hometown,” Keys said before Hov invaded the stage for the pre-taped performance.
Keys is inching closer to joining Jay in the multiple-diamond-hit club, as her 2007 track “No One” reached 9x-platinum status on Valentine’s Day 2023.
