JAY-Z‘s lyrics on “Big Pimpin'” almost became yet another reason for Pimp C to turn down appearing on the song, famed Roc-A-Fella A&R Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua has revealed.

During an appearance on the R.O.A.D. Podcast, Joshua was asked about his process and experiences as the label’s Head of A&R, a position which he held for eight years starting when Hov, Dame Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke launched the imprint in 1994.

As the conversation turned to specific songs, Hip-Hop listed “Big Pimpin'” as one of the tracks for which he had to write a hook before presenting the beat to JAY-Z — which led to the latest anecdote about Pimp C’s well-documented initial disdain for the single.

Like Bun B has previously said, Hip-Hop shared that Pimp C’s love and respect for 2Pac — whose death was still recent when talk of recording the JAY-Z single first came up — was the first obstacle that had to be overcome to get the late UGK legend on the track.

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