Jay-Z And Alicia Keys Pump Up World Series Crowd In NYC

Duo perform New York anthem 'Empire State of Mind' to a sell-out crowd at Yankee Stadium.

NEW YORK — If the Yankees were looking to change their tune heading into game two of the World Series, they couldn't have picked better musical guests. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys rocked the sell-out crowd at Yankee Stadium with a raucous performance of the Big Apple anthem "Empire State of Mind."

Decked out in his trademark Yankee fitted hat and matching jacket, Jay was looking to rally his team after a loss Wednesday. From the sound of things, he certainly did. The stadium thundered its approval after the duo's performance.

"I made the Yankees hat more famous than a Yankee can," he rapped from a stage placed in the outfield.

Swizz Beatz and Bruce Willis were among the many famous New Yorkers in attendance who swayed to the rapper's lyrics.

"New Yoooorrrrk," Keys sang from behind her piano before joining Jay-Z out front.

Images of the city flashed across several giant screens throughout the stadium.

The Yanks and the legendary MC already have a working relationship with each other. Derek Jeter uses "Empire State of Mind" as his at-bat music, and slugger Alex Rodriguez steps up to the batter's box to the Roc Nation head honcho's "Already Home."

Jay-Z seemed to sense the moment and, as usual, rose to the occasion like Jeter would. "Let's go," he said afterward as he walked into the bowels of the stadium and climbed into the Maybach waiting for him.

After Thursday's (October 29) game, the series shifts to Philadelphia, where the champs will host games three, four and (if necessary) five at Citizens Bank Ballpark.