Nas recruits Don “Magic” Juan, a former pimp, hip-hop personality, and founder of the notorious Player’s Ball in Chicago for a spoken-word intro.
Nas took a similar approach to intros in other works such as 1999’s Nastradamus, featuring a Jessica Care More poem on “The Prediction.”
[Skit: Don Magic Juan]
I am the Archbishop Don Magic Juan
Chairman of the Board of famous players everywhere
They talkin' about me, that's why I'm Hip-Hop
When they talk about the cars, I got one slick outside
When they talk about the clothes, look at me
When they talk about the bling-bling jewellery
I brought this to town, I'm the official, the original Don Dada
I make it official like a referee with a whistle
Without me there would be none
I brought it to town when these guys was little babies
I was thе number one mack in the country
So that's why I'm Hip-Hop
'Causе everything they rap about, I am about that
Intro was written by Nas & Hit-Boy & Jerry Herman & Bishop Don ‘Magic’ Juan.
Intro was produced by Hit-Boy.