After a decades-long wait, the concrete jungle finally witnessed its dream come to life: the New York Knicks have captured the NBA Championship. To commemorate this monumental victory, the city erupted in a massive ticker-tape parade on Thursday (June 18), culminating in a powerful performance by Alicia Keys, who delivered a stirring rendition of the quintessential New York anthem, “Empire State of Mind.”

The atmosphere at City Hall was electric as a procession of floats featuring team legends, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and notable Knicks superfans—including Timothée Chalamet, Mariska Hargitay, and Fat Joe—arrived to greet the jubilant crowd. Taking the stage in a sleek, studded leather jacket featuring the iconic Knicks logo, the 17-time Grammy winner set the tone for the festivities.

“This is our moment—we are the champions!” Keys exclaimed to the roaring masses. Before launching into her main set, she offered a soulful nod to the city’s roots with a brief snippet of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” featuring a sweet accompaniment from her son, Egypt, on the keys.

The energy reached a fever pitch as the unmistakable opening chords of “Empire State of Mind”—her collaborative masterpiece with Jay-Z that dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 2009—ripped through the air. As the championship trophy gleamed nearby, MVP Jalen Brunson and his teammates joined the celebration, dancing along as Keys belted out the legendary chorus: “Now you’re in New York / These streets will make you feel brand new / Big lights will inspire you / Let’s hear it for New York.”

“Are we the champions or what?” Keys shouted as the song concluded. “Congratulations, New York City!”

This triumphant performance arrived just five days after the Knicks secured the title in a decisive Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs, ending a drought that had lasted since 1973. In the days leading up to the parade, Mayor Mamdani confirmed the celebration on X, while Keys shared her excitement on social media, noting that performing the song felt like a mandatory duty for a native New Yorker. “This is my city, and it’s on fire right now,” she told followers. “There’s so much love in the air. Everyone is united—it’s absolutely incredible.”