New York Knicks and Zohran Mamdani Dance to Alicia Keys’ ‘Empire State of Mind’ at Championship Parade

Alicia Keys brought the New York Knicks’ championship parade to a close with a performance of her signature hit ‘Empire State of Mind’. Watch below.

The Manhattan-based team secured their first NBA title since 1973 after defeating the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday (June 14) at the Frost Bank Centre in San Antonio.

During their championship run, Keys’ 2009 collaboration with Jay-Z became an unofficial anthem for fans, with New Yorkers flooding the streets and blasting the track in celebration of the victory.

Soon after the final buzzer, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced plans for a parade to honour the Knicks’ achievement, posting on X: “Parade. Thursday. Manhattan,”

Keys later confirmed she would be part of the celebration, sharing her excitement in an Instagram video. “Like, how could I not?” she said. “This is my city and the city’s on fire. There’s so much love in the city. It’s crazy. Everybody just united, feeling amazing. I’m excited.”

Yesterday (June 18), the parade officially began, drawing millions into the streets of Manhattan as floats carried Knicks players, Mayor Mamdani, and celebrity attendees including Timothée Chalamet.

Keys appeared during the finale segment at City Hall, telling the crowd: “This is our time, we are champions!”

She then performed a brief rendition of Billy Joel’s ‘New York State of Mind’, joined on piano by her son Egypt, before transitioning into her own track ‘Empire State of Mind’.

Footage from the event shows Mayor Mamdani, Knicks MVP Jalen Brunson, and teammates singing and dancing along as the performance unfolded.

“Are we the champions or what?” Keys said after finishing the song. “Congrats, New York City!”

Watch below.

The celebration came after a series of high-profile celebrity appearances throughout the playoffs. Taylor Swift and the Haim sisters attended one of the games wearing coordinated custom T-shirts in support of the team.

Swift’s appearance later drew criticism from The Simpsons voice actor Hank Azaria, who expressed frustration over her courtside presence. “I know she’s the hugest thing in the world, but we had to sit with her all through the NFL and now she’s at the Garden. Come on,” he said.

“It’s not that I question why she’d get the seat. I’m just tired of the whole Taylor sports [thing],” Azaria added, calling it “ridiculous”.

Ben Stiller was also spotted at the game, alongside Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay, Chalamet and other notable fans.

Elsewhere, Wu-Tang Clan delivered a standout halftime performance during Game Four of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.