Intro

Album: American Gangster (2007)

Songfacts®:

  • This track introduces American Gangster, Jay-Z's first concept album, which was inspired by the 2007 crime movie of the same name. The rapper had been invited to an advanced screening of the film and it had a profound resonance on him; Hova would play it on the monitors above the recording booth to keep him inspired.
  • The song features dialogue excerpts from the American Gangster movie, spoken by Denzel Washington.
  • This was co-produced by British actor Idris Elba, whose roles include Russell "Stringer" Bell in HBO's The Wire and Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Elba started out working as a DJ in clubs in the 1990s and is also known as Driis or Big Driis to his rapper and DJ friends.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.