10. “Empire State of Mind” feat. Alicia Keys (2009)
Jay-Z’s Jamaican Moment: “Empire State of Mind” references Brooklyn’s West Indian American Day Parade and Bob Marley
“Empire State of Mind,” the biggest hit of Jay’s career and his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single, was a panorama-like tribute to New York City that had the rapper highlighting NYC landmarks both notable and personal. In his survey of crucial NYC points of interest, he didn’t fail to big up Brooklyn’s Caribbean culture in a fashion that was typically succinct for Hov, and also quite explicit to those whom the reference was intended for: “Labor Day Parade, rest in peace Bob Marley.”