Jay-Z’s reimagination of “Empire State of Mind” features Gil Scott-Heron’s “New York Is Killing Me”

The new mashup is called “NEW YORK (CONCEPT DE PARIS).”

April 17, 2023
Jay-Z’s reimagination of “Empire State of Mind” features Gil Scott-Heron’s “New York Is Killing Me” Jay Z by Rich Fury via Getty / Gil Scott-Heron by Mikael Altemark via Wikimedia Commons

This past Friday (April 14), Jay-Z held a private concert at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris for “Basquiat x Warhol. Painting Four Hands,” an exhibition that examines the relationship between the two legendary artists.

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During the performance, Jay-Z teased a new version of his 2009 hit "Empire State of Mind" that blends with poet and singer Gil Scott-Heron's "New York Is Killing Me."

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It turns out that the song is an official release called “NEW YORK (CONCEPT DE PARIS).” The song was engineered by Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton, who not only frequently mixes and engineers Jay-Z's work, but also served as the touring DJ for his Watch The Throne and 4:44 tours.

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Jay-Z’s reimagination of “Empire State of Mind” features Gil Scott-Heron’s “New York Is Killing Me”