The hit internet spoof video Newport State of Mind has been removed from YouTube following a copyright claim by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ record label.
The hilarious parody of ‘Empire State of Mind’ received over 2.5million hits in just 22 days after it spread virally across the internet.
But the video has now been removed from YouTube after EMI Publishing, which represents Jay-Z and Alicia Keys launched a ”copyright claim”.
The video has been replaced by a message which reads: ”This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by EMI Music Publishing Ltd”.
A spokesman for EMI added: ”When a song is created based wholly on any of our writers’ works, those writers need to grant their permission.
”If that permission isn’t granted, then we ask the service in question to remove the song.”
The spoof was produced by director Morgan-Jane ‘MJ’ Delaney, 24, from London, rapper Alex Warren as Jay-Z and singer Terema Wainwright as Alicia Keys.
MJ uploaded the video onto YouTube on July 20 before it was removed on Tuesday.
Speaking at the time she said: ”I hope Jay-Z and Alicia get to see the video as long as their publishing people don’t force us to take it offline. It’s only tongue in cheek.”
The hilarious three-and-a-half minute video was titled ‘Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind)’, where the Welsh word ‘Ymerodraeth’ translates as ‘Empire’
The first chorus states: ”In Newport, concrete jungle nothing in order, not far from the border. When you’re in Newport.
”Chips, cheese and curry makes you feel brand new, washed down with a Special Brew. Repeat the word Newport, Newport, Newport.”
MJ includes references to famous Welsh celebrities and boldly states: ”Bugger off Alicia, Shirley Bassey is our queen.”
The spoof has inspired Newport-based Goldie Lookin’ Chain to produce their own version of Jay-Z’s hit – mocking MJ Delaney’s production.
Filmed on a camera phone, ‘Newport State Of Mind (You’re Not From Newport)’ pokes fun at the original spoof, pointing out Shirley Bassey is from Cardiff rather than Newport.
GLC’s Rhys said: He said: “It seemed to me like they were parodying the GLC.
“We were writing songs about Newport ten years ago.
“Of course it’s quite flattering to us and the people of Newport that people from Swindon or wherever are showing us affection.”
Since it was uploaded on Monday, Goldie Lookin Chain’s spoof has racked up 160,000 views.
