During the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z performed their hit single “Empire State of Mind” for a live audience. Infamously, Lil Mama felt the music her spirit so much that she walked on stage and joined the pair, who didn’t appear too happy about the surprising addition. On Thursday, the “Lip Gloss” rapper revealed that she’s tried reaching out to both musicians since the incident and has yet to hear back.
Shortly after the VMAs, Lil Mama released a statement addressing the confusion and saying that she didn’t mean any disrespect. “I admire them and look up to them as role models. ‘Empire State of Mind’ had my emotions running high. In that moment I came up on stage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY.”
She addressed a shady comment about the stage crashing, replying, “You made a valid point. I entered this industry as a teenage black girl from BROOKLYN & HARLEM, NEW YORK. These situations are with adults 10 years my senior.”
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Lil Mama, who was 19-years-old at the time, continued, “I reached out in private to create an opportunity for communication and clarity. I haven’t heard back from either party yet.”
A few weeks after the “Empire State of Mind” performance, Jay-Z spoke with Angie Martinez, saying he didn’t “think that was the right thing to do” and that it was “out of line.” Keys also addressed Lil Mama’s decision to join the VMAs performance on the Today Show. “I can appreciate her being overwhelmed and inspired, but we would have preferred she did it from her seat.”
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It’s unclear why they spoke about Lil Mama publicly but didn’t address her attempts to speak in private. Being a teenager and a New York native in 2009, it’s quite possible that she felt the song and regrettably took the stage in the heat of the moment.
Though it isn’t clear when Lil Mama reached out, it looks like Keys and Jay-Z are still salty about it, nearly a decade later.
