The profane world is full of darkness, shadows and of death, but the sacred is the realm of the undying and of light.  The video for \textit{Empire State of Mind} is almost shot completely in black and white, focusing on the darkness and the shadows of the city.  The video concludes with Alicia Keys and Jay-Z both standing on a brightly lit, red staircase, leading skyward as they sing the praises of the city.   Again the imagery of the sky is utilized in the camera work in this scene, the camera moves upward on the stairs, as though the audience needs to ascend to the level of Jay-Z.