Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
2009
Earliest retained catalog association; not automatically the first release year.
Release: 2009
Release: 2009Source checked
V3.6 reconciles the original release year with the reviewed Artist Essentials entry for this exact retained recording ID. Year precision is used; an album-first release is not silently replaced by a later single, reissue or annual-list year. The original recording is documented in the 2009 release history of The Blueprint 3. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Owner-supplied release annotations
Reported dates in 2009.html, 2010.html. Not independently established; neighboring dates can reflect album/single or regional differences.
The Blueprint 3 - original Jay-Z and Alicia Keys recording
The original 2009 Roc Nation program explicitly identifies Empire State of Mind featuring Alicia Keys. The guest vocal role is preserved; this is not Alicia's separately titled solo Part 2 or a later performance.
Inspiration and background
Supplied note - not independently verified
This note came with the supplied collection and has not been independently verified.
The song is an ode to New York City and its impact on the artists' lives.
Evidence scope: Attributed owner-supplied note; NOT independently verified songwriter testimony
Sources for this information
Owner-supplied 2009.html, position 72
Original annotation, retained with an explicit unverified label
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual recording candidate, not an audio fingerprint or pressing-level verification.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-scoped curated selection; not an official all-time ranking or complete recording review.
Editorial artist-repertoire classification
Billboard year-end 2009 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription: title, artist and annual association only. Not a complete recording or songwriting review.
Supplied r2.png, row 32
Visual metadata, not audio or release-date verification.
Supplied final_rap.gif, row 11
Visual metadata, not audio or release-date verification.
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