"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can’t do, now you're in New York! These streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York, New York, New York."

Artist: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys

Song: Empire State of Mind
Album: The Blueprint 3
Produced by: Al Shux, Angela Hunte and Janet "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepic

Jigga namechecks Sinatra, the Yankees, Dominicans and… McDonalds.

OR

"It may not mean nothing to y'all, but understand nothing was done for me, so I don't plan on stopping at all, I want this shit forever man, ever man, ever man."

Artist: Drake featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem
Song: Forever
Album: Music Inspired by More Than A Game
Produced by: Boi-1da

Drizzy says he works hard (but hasn't released his debut yet), Kanye is sick of fame, Lil Wayne promises he won't stop and Eminem says he's back to save rap.

In just five years, Karina Pasian, a 16-year-old Dominicana with serious piano skills, went from competing on Star Search to performing for President Bush at The White House.

A Washington Heights native, Pasian had the support of two industry heavyweights early in her career: her "godfather" Quincy Jones and Emilio Estefan. When she was only 13, she became the subject of a bidding war between Def Jam's Jay-Z (Def Jam), Bad Boy's Diddy and Interscope's Jimmy Iovine. The R&B singer eventually signed a reported seven-figure deal with Def Jam in 2006.

Pasian's debut single, 16 @ War, is shades of A Woman's Worth by Alicia Keys, as the bilingual teen sings about resisting peer pressure from friends – and boyfriends. "I don’t like to go beyond my years and feel like I’m too old. I still have to cherish the fact that I’m a kid, because I know I’m gonna be wanting to have these days back."

Her debut album, First Love, is scheduled for releases later this year and includes collaborations with Ne-Yo, John Legend and Lil Mama. Pasian's second single, Can’t Find The Words, is currently the Free Weekly Download on iTunes.