The New York Yankees have been blasting Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" during their playoff run.

Now, the team is having the rap king perform the song live to kick off Game 1 of the World Series.

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys pumped up Yankee Stadium Thursday night at Game 2 of the World Series. The pair got the fans and players in a New York mood while performing their hit song, "Empire State of Mind."

Jay-Z, hoping to rally his team after their loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series, rocked out in a Yankees cap and jacket. Keys joined in on the chorus from the piano and later, center stage.

"I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee fan," he rapped. Images of the city were displayed across a video screen during the song.

Jay-Z said in a press release before his performance:  "As a die-hard Yankees fan, I'm honored to perform a song that celebrates the greatness of New York in one of our city's most important landmarks, Yankee Stadium."

The song apparently worked its magic on the players. The Yankees defeated the Phillies 3-1, in part due to pitcher AJ Burnett, a former Arkansas Razorbacks baseball player.

Watch the video of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' performance of "Empire State of Mind" below:

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