Alicia Keys reveals why she wrote her answer song 'Empire State of Mind (Part II)'
It was in response to Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind'
The amazing Alicia Keys joined Jordan and Perri on KISS Breakfast to talk about her brand new song 'Lifeline', which comes from the new film The Color Purple. The singer also took part in the Quiz That Gets Quicker, and revealed the real reason she decided to write her iconic song 'Empire State of Mind (Part 2) Broken Down'.
Back in 2009, 'Empire State of Mind' was a huge hit for Jay-Z, featuring Alicia Keys, however, here in the UK it's Alicia's answer song, 'Empire State of Mind (Part 2) Broken Down', also became a massive hit, and Alicia revealed the real reason she wrote the song.
"'Empire State of Mind’ was actually Jay’s record first and I was on the hook," Alicia explained. "After all of that happened, I realised, you know what? This song is crazy and it's going insane, I have to have a version that I can sing. What am I going to do? I can't just sing the hook every show?!"
So with that in mind, Alicia decided to release 'Part Two', which reached Number 4 in the UK, and also saw worldwide success. The 'Fallin'' singer explained: "So that was what provoked the feeling of creating the Part Two. So the Part Two is what we call 'broken down' and I then, just played keys on it and then eventually at the end it started to go into the sonic that you know.
"I remember that the UK went crazy for 'Broken Down' and at one point, like in America, it was like all about the me and Jay version, in the UK I never heard the Jay version EVER! Y'all just took my version and (it) went crazy."
She added: "But it was amazing, that was really cool."
Alicia also did the Quiz That Gets Quicker, but didn't do too well, only getting a dubious one out five, after she was quizzed on some very British questions, such as when is a roast dinner eaten and what does 'chinwag' mean?
When can you hear Jordan and Perri on KISS Breakfast?
You can catch Jordan and Perri every weekday on KISS FM UK between 7am and 11am.
Take a look through tours coming up in 2024:
Jason Derulo
Jason will be performing several dates across the UK and Ireland in January and February 2026. The singer is expected to perform some of his biggest hits from the last 15 years.
James Arthur
One to look forward to next year in 2026 - In celebration of his sixth studio album 'Pisces', James Arthur is going on a huge tour in February 2026! Starting in Nottingham at Motorpoint Arena on Tuesday 3rd February, the singer will then travel across the UK ending at Manchester's Co-Op Live on Saturday 21st February.
Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim has announced eight dates for his 'Acid Ballroom' tour in February 2026, two in each of the cites - London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
Kesha
'Tik Tok' singer Kesha has announced a new tour for 2026, performing at four UK venues, as well as across Europe in March 2026.
Leigh-Anne
Leigh-Anne will be going on a tour in April 2026. The tour is called 'My Ego Told Me To Tour' and is in support of her debut solo album 'My Ego Told Me To', which will be released in February. She will be playing dates in Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and London as part of a wider European tour.
Alex Warren
'Ordinary' singer Alex Warren is heading to this side of the pond in the spring of 2026, with UK tour dates from 20th April to 6th May. He'll be visiting London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Belfast and Dublin.
Louis Tomlinson
Following the release of his first new music in three years, 'Lemonade', and the announcement of his third solo album 'How Did I Get Here?', Louis Tomlinson has now announced he will be going on a World Tour in 2026. The singer will perform seven dates across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2026.
NE-YO & Akon
NE-YO & Akon will be co-headlining their 'Nights Like This Tour' this April and May in the UK. They will be performing in Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London before continuing their tour in mainland Europe and North America.
Madison Beer
Madison Beer has announced 'The Locket Tour' will be coming to the UK, playing in Manchester and London in May 2026. The 'yes baby' singer will be supported by Isabel LaRosa and Lulu Simon in the UK.
Zayn
Zayn announced he would be going on tour in support of his fifth solo album 'Konnakol'. The singer will take to the stage across the UK in May, where fans can expect to see him perform his latest single 'Die For Me'.
Example
Example has announced he will be going on tour in May 2026. The singer is known for his hits 'Kickstarts', 'Won't Got Quietly' and 'Changed the Way You Kiss Me'. He will be performing five dates across England in May 2026.
'Clubland Arena Tour 2026'
'Clubland Arena Tour 2026' has been announced featuring Cascada, Ian Van Dahl, Cascada and Darren Styles. Taking place across two weekends in May, the events will take place in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Aberdeen with a new show in Leeds.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat has announced UK dates for 'Tour Ma Vie World Tour', which will see her performing across the country in May 2026. The 'Say So' singer will start her tour in Glasgow on Thursday 21st May 2026, followed by dates in Manchester and Birmingham, ending her run in London at the O2 Arena on Friday 29th May.
Sister Sisters
The Sister Sisters have now announced outdoor dates across the UK in May, July and August 2026, including several festivals - Mighty Hoopla, Rock Oyster Festival and Boomtown Festival. 'The Kiki Continues' will start in London in May.
James Arthur
James Arthur has announced two dates for Summer 2026. The singer will play in Scarborough and Halifax in July at outdoor venues. He told his fans they would be 'very special shows'.
Lewis Capaldi
In September 2025, just a few days after he started his autumn tour, Lewis announced lots of summer 2026 dates! He then added to these dates after they sold out very quickly. He will tour the UK and Ireland in June, July and August.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles has announced 10 dates at Wembley for his 'Together Together' tour as part of a bigger 50-date tour across seven cities. The singer will perform 12 dates between 12th June and 4th July.
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars has announced 'The Romantic Tour', named after his album of the same name (due for release in February). The singer will play six dates at Wembley in July 2026.
Pitbull
Pitbull has been announced as the headline act for several gigs for the summer. After the success of his 'Party After Dark Tour' in 2025, he will be returning to the UK for gigs in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast as part of a larger tour including dates in Ireland.
The gigs take place across June and July 2026.
Ariana Grande
In August, Ariana Grande announced she would be going on 'The Eternal Sunshine Tour', including five dates in the UK. The singer will be coming to the UK in August 2026.
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, the band revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast (previously announced).
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff has announced 'The Lucky Me Tour' which will see the 'Mature' singer return to the stage in four cities across the UK, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Glasgow this September. Her UK leg is part of a world tour which spans seven countries.
Hits Radio Live 2026
Hits Radio Live 2026 has now been announced at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Friday 20th November 2026 and Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 21st November 2026. Buy tickets now!
Now read:
Alicia Keys wows fans at major train station with performance of several hits 🎶
Tate McRae releases second album 'Think Later'
Nicki Minaj drops her album 'Pink Friday 2' 💅