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Newport Parody Of Jay-Z's Empire State Of Mind Video Becomes Internet Sensation

Friday, 23 July 2010 Written by Jon Stickler
Newport Parody Of Jay-Z's Empire State Of Mind Becomes Internet Sensation

Having already clocked up a massive number of hits online, internet sensation ‘Newport (Ymerodraeth State Of Mind)’ - a hilarious parody of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind - is now being called for an official UK release.

Sweeping the internet's message boards and social networking sites, the witty remix features a Welsh rapper as Mr Jay-Z and an Alicia-esque soulful chanteuse. Playing on the seriousness of the original track, the new version runs with some hilariously clever lyrics about life in what is now probably the most popular town in Wales, Newport.

Thought up by London Director MJ Delaney, the video phenomenon stars 24-year-old Alex Warren as Jay-Z as well as 25-year-old Terema Wainwright as Alicia Keys and was filmed at a variety of Newport landmarks such as the bus station and local rugby ground Rodney Parade.

The witty lyrics consist of immortal lines such as: ‘Yes it is my lifeblood, these streets they are a part of me…the yin to my yang, the Craig to my Bellamy’. Brilliant! As well as other gems like ‘Head out to Caerleon, off-white Transit, Febreze on the dash for the stain where my nan sits’ and ‘On the dancefloor raving, pack of 16 Benson, someone fighting bouncers…. turns out it’s Gavin Henson.’

As for the chorus, instead of the original lines that pay tribute to New York City, the new (and improved if you ask me!) version say: 'Newport: concrete jungle, nothing in order, not far from the border….When you're in Newport, chips, cheese, curry makes you feel brand new, washed down with a Special Brew.'

Despite their ingenious idea, there could now be a few problems ahead for the team who created the spoof. There has been no permission from Jay-Z to use the track which could result in complications regarding copyright and royalties, however being an artist who has used countless samples himself, surely the superstar could just let this one go.

With the project experiencing global success, there are now many calls for an official UK single release.


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