Best Crossover Record of 2009
Reader's Pick
Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
Was there anyone in America who wasn't vibing out to Jay-Z's “Empire State of Mind” in '09? Doubtful – with a souring chorus by R&B songstress Alicia Keys and an appropriately epic instrumental by Shux (along with co-producers Janet Sewell-Ulepic and Angela Hunte), the Blueprint 3 single had something to offer just about every listener, and the track's wide-ranging appeal ultimately earned it a #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100.
Staff Pick
Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
This one was never really even a question. Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 was a big album, but "Empire State of Mind" was an absolutely huge song, the type of track that transcends hip-hop and gets played everywhere from project block parties to suburban aerobics classes. With Alicia Keys bringing the track to the next level with an instantly classic chorus, "Empire State of Mind" is the definition of a crossover smash. Let's hear it for New York.
Breaking Through in 2011 |
Best Club Anthem of 2009 |
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 8021 |
Best I ever had was definitely a better club Banger than New York! I got tired of that song really quick, while I can still play Best I ever had from time to time...Oh well...
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| Posted on Jan 06, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew |
Personally, I think the Booth got it SPOT-ON here. After all, not every hip-hop record can boast the honor of being what helps a team win the World Series (which explains why it's airplay has been scant in Philadelphia)
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| Posted on Jan 06, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
Regardless of where you are from you can’t help but feel the epic quality of the song. No matter where are you from the intricate lush sound and Alicia's hook on this joint transports you the Empire State of Mind, and makes you sing-along...
Except Eminem's "Beautiful", all other nominated tracks are yet to be premiered on VH1 India. |
| Posted on Jan 06, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 904 |
Not my favorite track, but it really was the crossover hit of the year
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| Posted on Jan 06, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
im ok w/this pick. its def not my fav of the group, but it makes sense. actually, it only makes sense as long as the correct song wins hip hop record of the year (which i havent got there yet, obviously).
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| Posted on Jan 06, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 613 |
Yep
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| Posted on Jan 06, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 544 |
No other track could of came close to NY's anthem but Em's Beautiful should of been runner up.
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| Posted on Jan 07, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 736 |
yep Empire state of mind was the ish, but i think Em's beautiful should have been the runner up...
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| Posted on Jan 07, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 908 |
Yeah, the obvious choice, without a doubt.
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| Posted on Jan 07, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1189 |
I guess if you use the national charts as a indicator, this is a good choice. Though ive never been a huge fan of this track
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| Posted on Jan 07, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
shyt, dj booth iz dat best hip gop site right i been on ever since my 10th grade year
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| Posted on Jan 12, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 428 |
I think NY was a great song and still is but sometimes I bore of hearing it, whilst Drake's Best I Ever Had I can still play time and time again. I agree with djblaze Drake's was definitely the 'club banger'
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| Posted on Jan 13, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
yah i thnk jay-z deserves thats a good track
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| Posted on Jan 15, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
agree with djblaze. Drake better
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| Posted on Jan 17, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
i sort of agree but the song after that were a whole lot better!!!
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| Posted on Feb 02, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
hi
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| Posted on Feb 03, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
hi
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| Posted on Feb 03, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
i agree with djblaze... but i think this song sucks to be brutal.
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| Posted on Feb 04, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
I AGREE WITH THE ALL OF YOU THEIR ALL GOOD SONGS. Me PERSONALLY ITS KINDA HARD TO PICK.
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| Posted on Mar 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
I agree that "Empire State of Mind" is a apex banggr'. However, if it was not for the soulful blend of Alicia Keys this track would not have made in my book.
So hats' off to all the peeps that put their heads together on this one. Jay-z; Alicia; this was a team well worth keeping together they were on point in and out of the studio and defiantly on video location(s). Hats' off once again. PBi |
| Posted on Mar 20, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
ILove this song it was amazing. i like listened to it all the time :))
Jay sean is really good. Andd i Love all his lyrics i think they mean something. :) Well donee < 3 . |
| Posted on Apr 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 904 |
I'm still not feeling this track, but you cannot deny the mainstream appeal. I still hear it at weddings.
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| Posted on Dec 31, 2010 |
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