Imitation 6 (2000s): Jay-Z Ft. Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind

Assignment #8
Rap and Spoken Word

The song “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys is about growing up in New York and some of the things you are likely to experience. He specifically talks about the things he likes, enjoys and some things he came across while living in New York City.

Yea I'm out that Brooklyn, now I'm down in TriBeCa
right next to Deniro, but I'll be hood forever
I'm the new Sinatra, and... since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yea, they love me everywhere
I used to cop in Harlem, all of my Dominicano's
right there up on Broadway, pull me back to that McDonald's
Took it to my stashbox, 560 State St.
catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons with them Pastry's

I think this song is a boast, because in this song brags about how great New York City is and what living here in the city would be like. For example, Alicia Keys said that the streets will make you feel brand new and the big lights will inspire you.  She talks about how beautiful New York City is by the streets and big lights. Jay-Z also talks about New York City as being the best place to live.

The context of this song is basically where Jay-Z was growing up. The reason for him probably writing this is because he wants others to see where he came from and where he grew up at. Some people that maybe influenced him was Biggie, since he mentioned him during this song. They both grew up in the same area and made something out of themselves. He also probably wrote this song to give people the inside scoop of New York City; the pros and cons from his point of view.  

In this song Jay-Z uses a lot of literary elements. For example, he uses a rhyme scheme. In the eight bars above he uses cross rhyme, internal rhyme and end rhyme all at the same time. His cross rhyme is when he rhymes “here” with “anywhere.” Then his internal rhyme is when he rhymes “anywhere“ with “everywhere” and lastly his end rhyme is when he rhymes “here” with “everywhere.” As I read the lyrics along with the song I noticed that he does this pattern many times. Another literary element that is used in this song is narrative story. He talks about where her grew up at and where he live now and this things he do in New York City Lastly, he has rhythm in the song ; referring back to the eight bars above he stressed the syllables of “Dominicano’s” so when you read it you’ll be able to see that it rhymes with “McDonalds.”