It’s no minor undertaking to cover Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” but to do so as a singer-songwriter—not a rapper—is even more risky. Thankfully New Yorker Jackson Harris was up for the challenge.

“To cover Jay-Z’s song is obviously a big gamble,” Harris says. “I was at the Yankee game where they performed the song. It was amazing to be there, and to see Derek Jeter getting into the song made me realize that [it’s] New York’s next unofficial anthem. I wanted to do a spin on it that I thought would be attractive to people who like acoustic-driven music, but also get some respect from the hip-hop community. I’ve gotten some great well wishes.”

Harris and crew shot the video for his version in one day, spanning New York City from the streets of the Lower East Side to rooftops and subway platforms. He turns the city into his home, with a cab as his bedroom and a subway station as his kitchen.

“We wanted to capture New York City, to show the laidback, cool version of a song that is normally all about bravado," says Harris. "This song captured a sweeter, more pedestrian New York City.”

Harris just released his first EP, Long Story Short, on his own record label, 77East, which he started when he was 21. “What I wanted to do in creating my own label was to put out my EPs and give the fans as much as I can for their buck,” he says. “I grew up with Napster, so I understand the appeal of stealing things, so I just want to make it as affordable as possible. If I write a song today and finish it next week, there’s no reason my fans shouldn’t hear it the week after that, with no lag time.”

He also hopes to find upcoming talent and put them on his label. “I’ve been scouting for another artist to work with," he explains. "There’s so much talent out there. Nowadays, [because of YouTube], your bedroom is your window to 2 million people.”

And what is Harris’ state of mind when it comes to our beloved city? “I think I’ve honed a sound that’s honest," he says. "it’s pop rock but it’s rooted in real stories that are based in and around the people of New York City and the energy that the city has. I tried to imbue my music with that energy... so that when you listen to it, you feel like you’re right there on 63rd Street talking to me.”