When the New York Yankees take on defending champs The Philadelphia Phillies during Game 1 of the World Series, the pinstriped team will share the field with a couple of big-time fellow New Yorkers – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
Wednesday the stars are set to perform Jay-Z’s song, “Empire State of Mind,” which features guest vocals by Keys. The tune, which is featured on Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album, The Blue Print 3, is an ode to the Big Apple and has been used during the Yankees’ playoff run. Alicia Keys will also sing the national anthem.
If the Yankees win the World Series it will be the 27th title for the team. A victory for the Phillies would mark the team’s third championship.
There’s no doubt which team Jay-Z, who has often been photographed in a Yankee baseball cap, will be rooting for.
"As a die-hard Yankee fan, I'm honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New York in one of our city's most important landmarks, Yankee Stadium," Jay-Z said in a statement, calling the opportunity “a once in a lifetime experience.”
In an interview yesterday the rapper echoed Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio’s famous quote by saying, “Thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.”
He said that although “Empire State of Mind” was a song he made for NYC, “really it’s about inspiration, it’s about hope – I think that’s what connects with people.”
Speaking of hope, just like rockers advise that “Guitar Hero” isn’t the same as putting the time in learning notes and chords, Jay-Z warns that the new “DJ Hero” video game won’t exactly land wannabe DJs a future career working the clubs or hot parties.
"It's very challenging and fun and you get lost and you start believing that you can deejay a party," he said. "I think some kids may go out and try to deejay a party and really mess up really bad and realize it's not as easy as it seems."
“DJ Hero” is set for release today on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Wii. A special edition of the game – “DJ Hero Renegade Edition” – includes CDs from Jay-Z and Eminem as well as a turntable controller.
“I picked a song from each of my albums. I’ve never had a greatest hits, so it’s pretty much like my greatest hits,” Jay-Z said about the new album.
In addition to baseball and the video game world, Jay-Z is also involved with the Broadway play “Fela,” an Afrobeat musical about the life of Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
“Fela,” which AllHipHop.com reports also features Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith among its investors, opens Nov. 23 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre.
Click here for the AP article.