Alicia Keys, a product of Hell’s Kitchen, was singing her New York anthem. You know the words, “Let’s hear it for Newww Yorrrk.” There’s not a stage in the world Keys can’t own, but it felt especially poignant at City Hall after being introduced by Mike Breen, the famous voice from Yonkers.

At some point, Keys left her piano and took the performance to the section of Knicks players, where Jose Alvarado, a Brooklyn product, danced and sang with the most emotion.

The rendition culminated a long and hectic celebration of the 2026 NBA champions while underscoring the real theme of Thursday’s ceremony: New York City, for the few weeks that spanned an improbable playoff run until Keys shut down City Hall, was alive, thrilled, united.

The boroughs won together, they hugged each other after Game 5 in San Antonio, then they gathered together Thursday for what was one of the largest parades in the city’s history.