Alicia Keys lights up New York

2012-11-27 1

New York City's skyline danced to the tunes of Alicia Keys as the Empire State Building debuted its new one-of-a-kind LED tower light system.

Keys officially started the light show by flipping the switch during a live radio broadcast.

SOUNDBITE: Alicia Keys, singer, saying (English):

"Tonight is an incredible night for me and the city of New York. As a native New Yorker I'm actually going to be a part of a brand new Empire State Building where they are going to light the Empire State Building up with a new LED system that they have to my songs."

Over 16 million colors combined with effects were used during the light show.

Ripples, cross-fades, sparkles and strobes and bursts were used to merge with the tune and beat of Key's hit song "Empire State of Mind".

SOUNDBITE: Alicia Keys, singer, saying (English):

"When I flipped that switch tonight it was like the entire Empire State Building was on fire, it's like the most amazing thing that I ever saw. And it's fireworks on a building in fact, so it's really incredible."

The Empire State Building stands nearly 1,500 feet tall, from base to antenna, and is one of the region's most popular tourist destinations.