<P> A critical success, the song was included in multiple critics' top 10 list for the best songs of 2009; including Rolling Stone magazine and the New York Times . The song was also nominated for three Grammy Awards, winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap / Sung Collaboration . "Empire State of Mind" achieved commercial success worldwide . The track peaked within the top 10 in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Italy and Sweden . The single was commercially successful in the United States, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, becoming Jay - Z's first number - one single on the chart as a lead artist . It appeared in 2009 year - end charts in Italy, Australia and the US, where the song was also the last number one hit of the 2000s . As of June 2014, the single has sold over 5.5 million copies in the United States . </P> <P> In the song's music video, which is primarily in black - and - white, Jay - Z and Keys are shown performing the song in various locations in New York . "Empire State of Mind" has been performed by Jay - Z and Keys multiple times, including during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2009 American Music Awards . Usually when the duo performs the song, an overhead screen shows images of places in New York . Keys recorded a sequel entitled "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down", which is featured on her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom (2009). Her version was positively received by critics, reached the Top 10 in the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland charts, and peaked at number fifty - five on the Billboard Hot 100 without an official release . Keys said that she chose to record her own version of "Empire State of Mind" because she wanted to express her own personal feelings about New York . </P> <P> "Empire State of Mind" was created by singer - songwriter - producer Angela Hunte, a native of Brooklyn, along with writing partner Jane 't "Jnay" Sewell - Ulepic . Hunte grew up in the same building where rapper and hip hop artist Jay - Z lived--560 State Street, an address which is mentioned in the song . The track's creation was inspired during an overseas trip Hunte and Sewell - Ulepic made to London in February 2009 when they were both feeling homesick . Hunte was ill during that summer, while Sewell - Ulepic's mother was ill . Hunte recalls, "We said to ourselves,' we complain so much about New York--about the busy streets, about the crowds and the pushing, about the subway system--but I would trade that for anything right now .' Before we left the hotel that night, we knew we would write a song about our city ." Although they wrote the song as a simple way to voice their feelings for their hometown, they sent it to the Roc Nation music label the following month in hope that Jay - Z would like it and record it . When they received negative reviews about the track they were convinced it would never be recorded . However, in the summer of the same year, EMI Music Publishing's (EMI) Jon "Big Jon" Platt heard the track at a barbecue and fell in love with it, believing that "it would be perfect for Jay - Z". </P> <P> Hunte and Sewell - Ulepic were hesitant though, as they had sent the track for consideration already and been unsuccessful . According to Hunte, when a Notorious B.I.G. figure she kept by the computer fell over as they played the track for Platt--a statue that had never moved before regardless of how loud they've blasted music--she realized it was an omen . She commented, "We all just looked at each other like,' if Biggie approves, then, send it to Jay"'. The next day Platt sent it to Jay - Z and he "loved it and recorded it that night". Hunte recalls, "We were just so happy he wanted to honor our work and our production . Two female producers / writers, and for him as a rapper to take our song--that's not a combination you see a lot . For him to be so open - minded about it, we just couldn't be any more grateful and thankful ." Originally composed as a song to be sung, Jay - Z ended up rewriting new verses inspired from the original lyrics and leaving Hunte on the song's hook . However, when Hunte and Sewell - Ulepic were asked if they thought someone else would be more appropriate for the chorus, Hunte suggested R&B and soul artist Alicia Keys . Hunte said, "She's never done a record with him and she also has my same vocal tone . She made the song sound so close to the original, She just nailed it and brought it home . It was a great choice ." Keys also contributed to writing "Empire State of Mind" 's new bridge . </P>

What is the theme of empire state of mind
find me the text answering this question