Millions of New Yorkers realized their dream of seeing the New York Knicks win the NBA Championship. The city celebrated the historic victory on Thursday (June 18) with a massive parade, the highlight of which was Alicia Keys performing “Empire State of Mind,” the city’s unofficial anthem.
The event featured a series of floats that carried members of the New York Knicks team, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and famous team fans such as Timothée Chalamet, Mariska Hargitay and Fat Joe. The winner of 17 Grammys took to the stage set up at City Hall wearing a black leather jacket with studs that reproduced the team’s logo.
Before starting her show, the singer sang a few verses of “New York State of Mind”, by Billy Joel, accompanied by her son Egypt on the piano.
Then, Keys took over the keyboard, and the striking melody of “Empire State of Mind”, her collaboration with Jay-Z that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009, began to play. The crowd cheered euphorically in recognition.
As Mayor Mamdani, New York Knicks MVP Jalen Brunson and their teammates sang and danced with the championship trophy shining on a nearby table, Keys performed the song’s iconic lines: “Now you’re in New York/ These streets will make you feel renewed/ The bright lights will inspire you/ Let’s give New York a round of applause.”
“Are we champions or not?” asked Keys, celebrating the end of the performance. “Congratulations, New York!”
The presentation took place five days after the New York Knicks’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the fifth game, guaranteeing the team’s first title since 1973. This triumph ended a long wait, lasting more than five decades, and led to “Empire State of Mind” being widely heard throughout the city’s crowded streets for hours after the victory, as residents intensely celebrated the breaking of the historic fast.
Shortly after the end of the decisive match, Mayor Mamdani made an official announcement about the parade celebrating the New York Knicks’ victory. “Parade. Thursday. Manhattan,” he posted tersely on his X account.
Days later, Alicia Keys confirmed her participation in the event and revealed that she would sing the song that became the city’s official theme song.
“How could I not sing?” expressed the artist in a video posted on Instagram, adding: “This is my city and it’s on fire. There’s so much love in the air. It’s incredible. Everyone’s united, feeling wonderful. I’m excited.”
