Jay-Z, Alicia Keys to Perform ‘Empire State of Mind’ at the World Series

With the colossal return of Jay-Z in September and the Yankees clinching a spot in their 40th World Series last night, it's no secret: New York is back on top! Now, here comes the awesome news. Jay-Z will join forces with songstress Alicia Keys to perform a special rendition of 'Empire State of Mind' live from Yankee Stadium for the first game of the series. We'll just call it a special brand of home field advantage.

"Just Confirmed: Jay Z and Alicia Keys will sing Empire State of Mind at Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the World Series," reported inside source Matt Strombelline on Twitter. "My friend works at Major League Baseball and met with Hov to finalize it....Yankees back in the world series!!!!! Going back to NY for Game 1 and 2. Jay Z and Alicia Keys performing Game 1. Can't wait...Flying back home on Wednesday. New York state of mind all week... I'm sitting third base second level. Where you sitting."

To answer Strombelline's question, most people will be sitting on their couch because tickets are approximately $300 for the cheapest seats, but this is exciting nonetheless. Ever the master of cross-marketing and corporate synergy, it's really undeniable that Jay-Z is taking hip-hop to crazy new heights. I mean, you would normally expect a performance from someone like Paul Simon or Billy Joel as a World Series introduction -- not a rapper from the Marcy Projects.

But it seems that this news should have come as no surprise because the Yanks seem to be huge Hova fans this season. They recently named a doctored version of 'Run This Town' as their postseason theme song and have been playing cuts from 'Blueprint 3' before at-bats and after home wins. The Bronx Bombers are staring down their 27th World Series championship.

The World Series kicks off on October 28 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.