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Students Who Remade Jay-Z Hit Play River Days Festival

DETROIT (WWJ) - These talented Detroit students are getting an A+ for their take on a Jay-Z hit - and if you haven't already seen them on YouTube, you can catch them perform at River Days this weekend.

Students from Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences have been generating buzz over their YouTube video remake with a Detroit twist on Jay-Z's hit song "Empire State of Mind." Watch the video below.

DAAS Choir - Detroit State of Mind by Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences on YouTube

Twelve-year-old Melody Williams has a starring role in the video.

"I'm the last verse in Detroit State of Mind, and I say 'Detroit is the best city in Michigan but Lansing is the capital and Detroit always should have been.' So, everybody likes that part, because that's how a lot of people feel," Williams said.

The group has performed for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and now, they are opening for Chaka Khan at Detroit's River Days Festival.

"Wow! That's all I can say is wow, because I never thought that I would be here in this position at this age. I thought it would have to come later on in life, like ok maybe 25 you know, but I'm only 12 and I'm doing things that celebrities do and it's just like, oh goodness," Williams said.

The group will take the stage at River Days on Saturday, June 25 at 9:15 pm. Admission is $3 to get into the festival.

River Days runs through the weekend. For more information, click here.

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