"Empire State Of Mine"

I am originally from Miami, FL and before moving to New York I would visit here quite often. However, there was this one time I came for a weekend to visit some friends and I was driving my rental car through the Brooklyn Bridge and this song came on, "Empire State Of Mind" by Jay-Z, it wasn't the first time listening to it, however at that moment it really hit me that I was in New York City and it felt good, it felt as if I was right at home. The song talks about the history, different cultures, famous artists, sports athletes, sport teams, The World Trade Center, The Statue of Liberty, other different land marks, the crowds, the lights, and all the dreams that New York City has to offer.   

"Yea, I'm up at 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". (Jay-Z)  That first verse at the moment really connected with me because I was crossing the Brooklyn bridge going to the Tribeca area, and I remember vividly asking what are the odds? The first verse also mentions Robert DeNiro a great actor and Sinatra who is a legend here in New York. Jay-Z ends the verse with a strong message explaining that if any one can make it in New York You can make it anywhere in the world. Now, that I live in New York I can definitely vouch that you have to have tough skin, character, and will to make it here. New York City is not an easy city but at the same time it has so much diversity and some much to offer that it makes it well worth living here. Jay-Z continues with the second verse explaining the city of Harlem, the neighborhood where he grew up in and giving a shout out the Dominican people living there. As I kept driving and listening to the song the more I kept falling in love with the city and  loving the song as well. There has been plenty of famous songs written about New York, just to name two, "New York New York" by Frank Sinatra and "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel. Don't get e wrong I'm not comparing these songs to each other, but at that point and time I felt like "Empire State Of Mind" should've been the New York Anthem. As I kept riding through the night I came to the conclusion that New York was going to be my next home.  It's hard to imagine that one song made me leave my family, friends, and my city behind and start a new chapter in my life. 

In essence "Empire State Of Mind" not only spoke to me and taught me all the roots, cultures, neighborhoods, and landmarks that New York City has, but also changed a huge part of my life, and I am glad it did. 

Work Cited 

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