Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 single “Empire State of Mind” is inescapable in New York, blaring from car stereos and even Yankee Stadium, where the hometown hero performed the track with Alicia Keys last week. Now the pair have debuted the video for their NYC love letter on MySpace Music. The clip was filmed in early October at several landmark sites around Manhattan, notably Harlem, Times Square and Ground Zero.
Music video vet Hype Williams directed the video, with an obvious nod to black-and-white films like Woody Allen’s Manhattan and Jules Dassin’s Naked City, two films that perhaps best photographed and documented New York City. The “Empire State of Mind” video goes full color in its final minute to capture the full awe of Keys performing in Times Square and the Manhattan skyline. For a little bonus fun while you watch, check out this Google map tracking the locations Jay rhymes about, from State Street to Tribeca.
Jay debuted the song live at his “Answer the Call” concert at Madison Square Garden on September 11th and performed it again two days later (with Keyes) at MTV’s Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall. With the Yankees one win away from winning the championship, their next set might be a victory parade route down 6th Avenue.
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Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily