Blige was also considered for the part, but Keys was chosen after Jay-Z heard the song's piano loop.

The song originally featured Hunte on the hook, but when Hunte and Sewell-Ulepic were asked if they thought anyone else would be more appropriate for the chorus, Hunte suggested Keys. The song's title, similar to New York State of Mind, is a wordplay and tribute to New York's nickname (Empire State) and could also be a reference to the Empire State Building in Manhattan, New York City.

They later took the suggestion of an associate of EMI Music Publishing and resubmitted it to Jay-Z, who kept the 'New York' singing part on the hook, changed the verses, and recorded it. The following month, they submitted it to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation, whose reviews were a discouragement. It was originally written by Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic as a tribute to their hometown, New York City. Produced by Al Shux, the song features a music sample of ' Love on a Two-Way Street' performed by The Moments. ' Empire State of Mind' is a song performed by American rapper Jay-Z featuring American singer Alicia Keys from the former's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 (2009).

It's a state of mind download