Idris Elba reveals how ‘hustled’ onto Jay-Z’s American Gangster album

Actor and DJ Idris Elba has revealed the methods he used to hustle his way onto American rapperJay-Z’s 2007 album, American Gangster.

Elba, 49, penned a long poem, added a beat to it and sent it to the 52-year-old Watch the Throne rapper.

The Harder They Fall actor has also appeared on former Beatle, Paul McCartney’s 2021 album, McCartney III: Imagined.

The star of Luther and The Wire previously told Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show: “Both these albums I’m on, and both those artists don’t know I’m on those albums.

“You know what I mean? I literally hustled my own onto those albums.”

He added: “At the time I hear Jay was about to do an album associated with the film. And I was like, ‘I need to get on that.’ As you do.

“You’re like, ‘I’m Idris, I need to be on that Jay-Z album.’ No idea why Jay would be like, ‘Yeah, sure, do it.’”

The Magna Carta Holy Grail rapper was said to be ecstatic with Elba’s lyricism as the actor said: “Maybe I should speak this because Jay might be a little more accommodating to my speaking voice.

“And I sent it to him, and we got this text back from Jay saying, ‘Um, I don’t love this…I f****** love it.’”

The actor’s upcoming film, Beast, is set for release in UK cinemas on August 26.