Jasmine Villegas Performs Brilliant Version of Empire State of Mind at the Belmont Stakes
16 Year Old's Beautiful and Tasteful Version of Jay-Z's Song at the Horse Race Steals the Show
A stunning 16 year old singer, Jasmine gave a soulful and inspirational version of the song; which replaced Frank Sinatra's New York, New York as the official opening of the Belmont.
But, just as millions around the country were engaging with the song and performance, ABC, in a stark reminder that this is a commercial enterprise, after all, cut to a commercial after a couple of verses, preventing millions from seeing the balance of the song.
While many, due to the lyrics of Empire State of Mind, had an issue with Empire State of Mind replacing Sinatra's New York, New York as the Belmont Stakes anthem, Villegas' version was cleaned up and beautifully done; while there is no accounting for taste, it would be difficult to imagine that anybody would be offended by the song itself.
Unfortunately, most of the country watching the Belmont Stakes didn't see most of the performance. The announcers somewhat casually mentioned that the horses were thrown a bit after the performance by both the music and the crowd's reaction to it.
Empire State of Mind seems destined to be a staple of Belmont Stakes' future. The popularity of the song, which was first really realized during last year's World Series at Yankee Stadium when Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes performed it live on national television, is due to its broad crossover appeal. While Villegas' version changed the lyrics and omitted the hardcore nature of the original, the rhythm and hooks remained, if at a slower pace, and it paid homage to Alicia Keyes' vocals from the original, and best known, version.
In any event, Villegas' performance today at the Belmont Stakes was the clearest sign yet that Empire State of Mind is destined to be an anthem at New York based mainstream events for many years to come. When Jay-Z was starting out as a hardcore 'gangster' rapper, it is hard to imagine that anybody would have foreseen the day when the song that he will likely ultimately be best known for would be played at events such as the World Series and the Belmont Stakes.
Of course, in no small part, Jasmine Villegas is due the credit for the brilliantly performed Empire State of Mind and its reception today at the Belmont Stakes.
Source: Andy Hutchins, "Belmont Stakes Replacing Sinatra With Jay-Z, Making Last Lunge At Relevance", sportingnews.com
Published by Ron Hart
Ron Hart lives in New York. His interests are varied and include sports, politics and great Big Apple restaurants. He is a big baseball fan and enjoys discussing, debating and watching sports. He also enj... View profile
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17 Comments
Post a CommentSomeone must have paid Ron Hart to write this article. I like the song, but Villegas could NOT sing it, at least not this day. They probably cut because she got the horses so panicked! I mean c'mon, that's bad. If I'd had to sit through the entire song I would have panicked too! Horrible, horrible performance, song choice aside.
"Villegas' version was cleaned up and beautifully done"
No, she had a really, really, really bad day. I wish her better luck on her next gig.
If you guys liked her singing at belmont heres an interview on stylecaster!! http://www.stylecaster.com/news/8512/meet-jasmine-v-the-16-year-old-youtube-and-twitter-star
The song was awful and the singer was worse. When they cut to commercial it was an act of mercy.
first THANK YOU and second Jasmine is amazing the only people that give her hate are people that arent really true Beliebers ever since Jazzy was in Baby everybody started hating her while i started being a really big fan of hers Jasmine is a really great singer and you might hate her but dont be stupid and say that she doesnt have talent because shes one of the best singers in the world shes not well know but one day she will be a really big artitst just wait and see; Jasmine is an amazing singer and she really gives her heart and soul when she sings
Are you insane? She literally scared the horses. Right now opinion is running among race fans about 70% bring back "Sidewalks of New York", 30% bring back "New York, New York" and 100% string up the singer and whatever idiots thought this was a good idea.
are you kidding. it was a terrible performance and i'm glad they cut her off. it was embarassing
"Brilliantly performed?" She was flat all the way to the (merciful) cut-away to the commercial. Nearly made my ears bleed.
Good Lord, what the heck were you listening to? The song is fine, but MAN that Jasmine totally SUCKED. I am absolutely amazed anyone thinks Jasmine was anything but a total disaster.
I listened to 30 seconds of that sappy nonsense, and turned the channel . If they cut it off, that was the only thing they did right on the broadcast, the racing coverage stunk.
Did you say you Lost Your Keys at the World Series? No, then you ,must have lost your hearing if you like this kind of fake singing.