Jay-Z and Alicia Keys made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Tony Awards to perform their iconic collaboration, “Empire State of Mind.” The famous song was originally featured on Jay-Z’s 2009 album, The Blueprint 3, and has more recently been included in the Tony-nominated musical, Hell’s Kitchen, which draws inspiration from Keys’ upbringing in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
During the show, Keys expressed her excitement about being at the Tony Awards and representing her hometown. She kicked off the performance by belting out the lyrics to “Empire State of Mind,” while Jay-Z made a cameo on a large screen before joining her on stage for a memorable duet. The audience was thrilled by their impromptu performance, further solidifying the song’s status as an anthem for New York City.