The 2024 Tony Awards witnessed a jaw-dropping moment as JAY-Z and Alicia Keys reunited for a surprise performance of their iconic hit “Empire State of Mind.” The unexpected collaboration set the stage for a night to remember.
Alicia Keys kicked off the performance alongside the cast of the musical Hell’s Kitchen, a semi-autobiographical show that delves into her life growing up in Manhattan during the 1990s. The audience was spellbound as she performed her solo rendition of Empire State of Mind. But the real shock came when she moved into the crowd, and the camera cut to Jay-Z, who seamlessly joined in to deliver his famous verse.
The surprise appearance was a treat for the audience and a major milestone celebration. “Empire State of Mind” recently surpassed one billion streams, cementing its place as one of JAY-Z’s most beloved tracks. Alicia Keys, elated by this achievement, hinted at future collaborations with the rap legend.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Keys shared a photo of herself with JAY-Z, accompanied by the caption: “1 Dream. 1 Song. 1 Billion streams. Thank you! We love you. What’s next…” This post set off a wave of excitement among fans, eagerly anticipating what the duo might have in store.
Keys also took to X (formerly Twitter), posting a photo of two performance microphones labeled with their initials, “J” and “AK,” and tagged CBS and Roc Nation. This subtle hint suggests that a special televised event may be on the horizon, fueling further speculation and anticipation.
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“Empire State of Mind,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marked JAY-Z’s first song as a lead artist to achieve such a feat. The track has since been certified 9x-platinum in the US, solidifying its status as a cultural anthem. Alicia Keys followed up with a sequel to the song later that year, which also enjoyed commercial success.
JAY-Z, known for his rare live performances, has made headlines with back-to-back surprise appearances. Just a week prior, he stunned fans at Tom Brady’s New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony by performing his 2003 hit “Public Service Announcement.”
During the electrifying performance, JAY-Z paid tribute to Brady, who walked onto the stage to a roaring reception from the New England crowd.
