New York (Top40 Charts/ Major League Baseball) - New York natives JAY-Z and Alicia Keys, two of the most successful recording artists in the world, will perform their hit single "Empire
State Of Mind," from JAY-Z's No 1 album The Blueprint 3, on the field at Yankee Stadium prior to Game One of the 2009 World Series on Wednesday, October 28. Following their joint performance, Keys will sing the national anthem.
Both performances will air on FOX, which begins its World Series coverage of the New York Yankees against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. An avid Yankee fan, JAY-Z has worn a Yankee cap in music videos, magazine photo shoots, and on album covers.
"As a die-hard Yankee fan, I'm honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New York in one of our city's most important landmarks, Yankee Stadium," said JAY-Z.
This marks the first time that the World Series has been dedicated to community service since its inception in 1903. Game One will be focused on Welcome Back Veterans, an MLB Charities initiative designed to support returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families with mental health treatment and job opportunities. MLB has already donated more than $10 million to this initiative.
The Blueprint 3 scored JAY-Z's 11th No 1 album surpassing Elvis as the artist with the most No 1 albums. Released to critical acclaim, the album has spawned the No 1 single, "Run This Town," with Rihanna and Kanye West and the anthemic, "Empire State Of Mind," with Alicia Keys, which catapulted to the top of the singles charts. World renowned entrepreneur, artist and icon, JAY-Z, has dominated the music industry since 1995 and now in 2009, he personifies the "American Dream."
