Tomorrow, Jay-Z will have his first No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart as a featured rapper.
Katie Hasty
<p>It seems unbelievable, but Jay-Z is finally getting his first, very own No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart tomorrow.</p>
<p>"Empire State of Mind" featuring Alicia Keys, rises 6-1 on the tally, a change that will be reflected on tomorrow's chart. Hov has spent time at the summit three other times before, but always as a guest vocalist: on Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker," Rihanna's "Umbrella" and his now-wife's 2003 hit "Crazy in Love."</p>
<p>"Empire" was featured on his "Blueprint 3" album, released all the way back in September. The track has enjoyed a surge of attention, as it was used frequently during the World Series in the Yankees v. Phillies stand-off, and with radio stations increasinly picking it up for airplay. He and Keys just released a video for the track, as well as a sequel, "Empire State of Mind, Part II." That song will be on Keys' forthcoming album "The Element of Freedom," due Dec. 15. <strong>You can hear the track below.</strong></p>
<p>Speaking of Rihanna's "Umbrella," Jay-Z helped that singer perform it at her first concert in promoting "Rated R" (due Nov. 23). He made a surprise appearance at London's Brixton Academy on Monday (Nov. 16), as did Jeezy, rapping on "Hurt," a song included on "Rated R." The whole of Rihanna's concert was webcasted live, from Nokia, <strong>and you can see some select clips already <a href="http://nowplaying.nokia.com/blog/tag/rihanna/">here</a>. </strong></p>
<p>As for Jay-Z's own tour, he canceld the last three 2009 dates of it, all in Texas, this week. Fans are getting refunds, but basically no explanation. However, <a href="http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2009-11-6-jay-z-announces-2010-tour-with-young-jeezy">as previously reported,</a> he is game for his 2010 tour plans with Jeezy.</p>
<p>Jay-Z has also been named as a producer for a forthcoming Broadway musical centered on the life and work of musician Fela Kuti. Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith are also helping finance the show. Read more on it in <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_en_ot/us_people_jay_z_2">this piece</a> by the Associated Press.</p>
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music
2009-11-19T00:28:58Z
690
Listen: Jay-Z, Alicia Keys on newly released 'Empire State of Mind, Part II'
2038-01-01T00:00:00Z
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2009-11-18-jay-z-s-empire-strikes-back-as-rapper-cancels-shows-enhances-rihanna-s-return
2009-11-18T18:34:00Z
Jay-Z's 'Empire' strikes back as rapper cancels shows, enhances Rihanna's return, goes Broadway
published
Eastern Time (US & Canada)
http://tinyurl.com/yzpuvhz
Jay-Z's 'Empire' strikes back as rapper cancels shows, enhances Rihanna's return, goes Broadway
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2009-11-19T22:25:00Z
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