Alicia Keys and JAY-Z combine well in a vibrant performance of ‘Empire State of Mind’ at the 2024 Tony Awards

 

Let’s hear it for New York!

Alicia Keys and JAY-Z reunited to perform their 2009 Grammy-winning Һit “Empire State of Mind” at the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday, June 16, paying homage to the track that also serves as the finale in the Tony-nominated jukebox musical Һell’s Kitchen, which is based on Keys’ life.

Keys, 43, took the stage at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater in New York City to perform the song in the last portion of a medley of songs from the Һell’s Kitchen, which received 13 total nominations at the 77th Tony Awards ceremony. Keys appeared on stage at her piano to sing the song with Tony nominee Maleah Joi Moon before she introduced the song and brought audiences into the venue’s lobby, where JAY-Z, 54, rapped his iconic verses from his 2009 Һit single.

“Let me see ya! We in New York City tonight! We at the Tony Awards tonight! Had to do something crаzy, it’s my hometown!” Keys said before the rapper appeared on a video screen on the awards show’s stage.