“Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

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For better or worse, “Empire State of Mind” will likely be the song most music fans will remember Jay-Z for.

It was nominated for three Grammys, including Best Rap Song, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five straight weeks—becoming Hov’s first No. 1 hit on the pop charts as a lead artist. The song also raised his and Alicia Keys’ profile worldwide, peaking inside the Top 10 singles charts in Canada, the UK, Australia, France, Italy, and several other countries. Add widespread critical acclaim to the mix, and “Empire” is, statistically, the crowning achievement of Mr. Carter’s rap career.

It’s a fascinating distinction when you consider how specific the entire vibe is to Jay-Z’s home state. He name-checks various boroughs, celebrities, streets, professional sports franchises, and even imagery that sounds like it exists only in NYC. But, unlike his grittier, bleaker “99 Problems,” this cut has as uplifting a chorus as you’ll find in contemporary rap. The way Keys soars vocally, you genuinely believe her when she says, “These streets will make you feel brand-new/Big lights will inspire you.” The lyrics, courtesy of New York natives Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic, stemmed from a trip abroad that led to the pair pining for the comforts of their home city.

“We said to ourselves, ’We complain so much about New York—about the busy streets, about the crowds and the pushing, about the subway system—but I would trade that for anything right now,’” Hunte told Billboard in 2009. “Before we left the hotel that night, we knew we would write a song about our city.” In keeping with some of history’s biggest crossover hits, this one almost didn’t happen either. Hunte and Sewell-Ulepic submitted Jay’s newfound imprint to Roc Nation, only to have it rejected. Only after an EMI publishing employee heard it at a barbeque, it found its way to the Marcy Projects native. Verses were reworked, Al Shux was brought in to help produce, and a runaway train was committed to tape.

It’s not Hov’s most gangster song, nor his best outing lyrically. But, even if the hardcore fans won’t want to admit it, it’s his most universally relatable piece of work. How else would it have sold over 10 million units?