Jay-Z made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Tony Awards in New York on Sunday night, rapping his hit Empire State of Mind with Alicia Keys. 

The pair came together to support Hell’s Kitchen, a jukebox musical produced by Keys and featuring her songs.

Empire State of Mind is featured in the musical based on Keys’ early life and music and is nominated for 13 Tony Awards.

Fans were quick to notice that Jay-Z did not perform onstage, instead appearing via video rapping from outside the venue.

‘Jay-Z was like yea I’ll come perform outside the Tonys, I’m not trying to hang out with theatre people….and I don’t blame him,’ one fan jokes.

‘Why didn’t they let Jay-Z in the actual theater??’ another quipped, while another added: ‘Jay-Z at the Tonys was not on my bingo card but I’m into this.’

Before the performance, Keys hit the red carpet with her parents and three sons, Kasseem Jr., 17, Egypt, 13, and Genesis, 9.

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Jay-Z makes surprise appearance at Tony Awards with Alicia Keys performing Empire State of Mind

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The pair came together to support Hell’s Kitchen, a jukebox musical produced by Keys and featuring her songs

Ramin Setoodeh, the co-editor-in-chief for Variety, also explained on X that due to the size of the stage inside the David H. Koch Theater, the crowd wasn’t able to see Jay-Z ‘perform in person.’

‘The stage at Lincoln Center is so small, we never saw Jay-Z perform in person at the #TonyAwards. He and Alicia Keys sang the end of the song in the lobby.’

Another social media user penned, ‘”How do we get people in Iowa to buy Broadway tickets?” ANSWER: make them think Jay-Z and Alicia will be at the actual performance of Hell’s Kitchen.’

Another jokingly typed out, ‘Cast of Hell’s Kitchen has a restraining order out on Jay-Z #tonys.’

During the performance, dancers could be seen performing choreography on the stage in front of the star-studded attendees and guests.

A large screen behind them showed both Jay-Z and Alicia belting out lyrics on stairs as a spotlight shone down. However, the pair weren’t actually inside the main theater where the ceremony took place.

While singing the 2009 hit track, Empire State Of Mind, Keys exclaimed, ‘Let me see ya! We in New York City tonight! We at the Tony Awards tonight! Had to do something crazy, it’s my hometown!’ per People. 

The Grammy winner then appeared on stage to rap his portion of the song, and at the very end, he called out, ‘Brooklyn, New York City in the Tonys, tonight!’

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Empire State of Mind is featured in the musical based on Keys’ early life and music and is nominated for 13 Tony Awards

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Fans were quick to notice that Jay-Z did not perform onstage, instead appearing via video rapping from outside the venue

‘Jay-Z was like yea I’ll come perform outside the Tonys, I’m not trying to hang out with theatre people….and I don’t blame him,’ one fan jokes

‘Why didn’t they let Jay-Z in the actual theater??’ another quipped, while another added: ‘Jay-Z at the Tonys was not on my bingo card but I’m into this’

Ramin Setoodeh, the co-editor-in-chief for Variety, also explained on X that due to the size of the stage inside the David H. Koch Theater, the crowd wasn’t able to see Jay-Z ‘perform in person’

Another social media user penned, ‘”How do we get people in Iowa to buy Broadway tickets?” ANSWER: make them think Jay-Z and Alicia will be at the actual performance of Hell’s Kitchen’

During the performance, dancers could be seen performing choreography on the stage in front of the star-studded attendees and guests

Keys made a statement wearing a pair of loose-fitting, brown-patterned Gucci trousers as well as a matching jacket on top.

Underneath, she sported a dark brown, corset-styled top and slipped into a pair of closed-toed heels that were partially concealed by the hem of the trousers.

Her dark locks were pulled back into a sleek bun, preventing any loose strands from falling onto her face.

For a finishing touch, she accessorized the look with a chunky, gold-chained necklace as well as flashy, gold earrings.

The Forever Young rapper opted for a pair of baggy, dark denim pants as well as a plain, white shirt and Louis Vuitton jacket.

Empire State Of Mind is a track on his 11th studio album titled, The Blueprint3 – which dropped in September 2009.

The single became a success upon its release, and topped various music charts, such as the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in a row.

The song also garnered award nominations, including three Grammy nods and eventually won two: Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

A meeting of the G.O.A.T.s! Jay-Z welcomes Tom Brady to induction

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The Grammy winner then appeared on stage to rap his portion of the song, and at the very end, he called out, ‘Brooklyn, New York City in the Tonys, tonight!’

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View gallery

The Forever Young rapper opted for a pair of baggy, dark denim pants as well as a plain, white shirt and Louis Vuitton jacket

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View gallery

Empire State Of Mind is a track on his 11th studio album titled, The Blueprint3 – which dropped in September 2009

Jay-Z has been keeping busy, and had a surprise performance at Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction earlier this week on Wednesday.

Hell’s Kitchen officially premiered off-Broadway last year in October, with shows coming to an end in January. The production then moved to the Schubert Theatre on Broadway earlier this year in April.

The jukebox musical garnered a whopping total of 12 Tony Award nominations, such as Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Maleah Joi Moon, and Best Direction of a Musical for Michael Greif.

Last month in May, Alicia opened up about Hell’s Kitchen while talking to People and also discussed the positive response from both audiences and fans. ‘This is all of our stories.’

‘That’s what I’ve learned creating and watching Hell’s Kitchen; that there’s so much that connects us all.’

The songstress added, ‘Even though we have different versions, we all go through things that are quite similar. Ultimately, we’re just all trying to find where we belong and who we actually are.’

‘That’s what I get from it; I get this ability to understand each other and to find our way,’ the star continued.

‘And it’s cathartic. You’re laughing, you’re singing, you’re crying – you’re a mess in this show. But you feel seen. And I think it’s really, really beautiful.’

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Last month in May, Alicia opened up about Hell’s Kitchen while talking to People and also discussed the positive response from both audiences and fans. ‘This is all of our stories’; seen in April in NYC

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Before her performance with Jay-Z during the Tony Awards, Keys graced the red carpet in a figure-hugging, red dress that contained sparkling, sequin details on the neckline and skirt

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Alicia was accompanied by her family, including her mother and father, as well as her three sons: Kasseem Jr., 17, Egypt , 13, and Genesis, 9

Before her performance with Jay-Z during the Tony Awards, Keys graced the red carpet in a figure-hugging, red dress that contained sparkling, sequin details on the neckline and skirt.

She additionally added a thin belt around her waist as well as a pair of dark red, opera-length gloves for an elegant flare.

The star opted for minimal accessories to allow the ensemble to be the main focal point, and added a pair of dangly, silver earrings.

Alicia was accompanied by her family, including her mother and father, as well as her three sons: Kasseem Jr., 17, Egypt, 13, and Genesis, 9.