Shinning: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys Reach 5x Platinum

"Empire State of Mind" set records for both artists this week. Whatever Weezy had to say about it, audiences can't get enough of New York and the matchless duo of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, whose 2009 single, "Empire State of Mind," which samples the 60's soul ballad "Love On A Two Way Street," reached the 5 million mark in sales this week. The hit off Hova's The Blueprint 3, won two Grammies for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sun Collaboration in 2011, and was nominated for 2011 Record of the Year. It's the first single performed by Hova or Miss Keys to go platinum five times over, a feat approached by each and unrealized until now. It's been said that Mary J. Blige was considered for the vocals, but that Keys' namesake skills won her out. She'll be laughing now, as the song itself has become an empire, with the help of the ROC, of course.