Empire State of Mind, released by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys in 2009, became an anthem for New York City almost immediately, with its chorus celebrating the city in broad, uplifting terms. The track topped charts and became a staple at sports events, celebrations and city showcases, and short clips of its vocal hook later spread across video edits and social media. It remains a shorthand for ambition, arrival and city pride, which is why creators still reach for it whenever a moment needs to feel big, bold and unmistakably New York.