American Gangster - Rappers take Actors' Parts - Pt. II

American Gangster - Rappers take Actors' Parts, was unfinished and published by accident. There were one or two more things I wanted to say.

As you know, It is my feeling these roles should have gone to actors. 

Maybe since some rappers pretend to be gangsters it was only fitting that three rappers would show up in this film.

Ranting about it is not going to change this. This is how it is. I’m not going to rant about this, anymore… I hope. Why bother? It’s pointless. There are bigger battles to fight rather than whining over which man (or woman) plays a role. 

What is important is to examine the kind of work the actor is doing and evaluate if the person is talented and worthy of their place on the silver screen. If they are, I will celebrate them. If they are not, I suppose they’ll be dismissed just as any other incompetent would.

Comments

[Kimi]

ITA, there are 3 off the top of my head I'd praise & have read that these 3 have taken acting classes to perfect acting their skills, & I think it shows in their work:

Queen Latifah (Ladies First! :o)): she's got a wide range of work from cornball comedies to dramas to musicals. She is just getting better with time imho. I don't even think most peeps in younger generations recognize she started out as a rapper cuz she doesn't even do or talk about rap much anymore.

Will Smith: I know a lot of peeps don't like him, but think he did really well in 2 flicks in particular: Six Degrees of Separation & Pursuit of Happyness. I like his action flicks too, but he seems to have successfully crossed over & left rap behind.

Most Def: he has also done cornball comedy to serious drama. Can't remember the name of that HBO flick he did where he played the doctor who perfected heart surgery, but he was excellent! I also liked him in MTV's musical adaptation of Carmen where he played the dectective opposite Mekhi Phifer & (gasp!) Beyonce.

Honorable Mentions: LL Cool J - I don't think he's done anything as drama filled as the 3 above, but do think he improves with each role.

Tupak Shakur: I think had he lived, he had great potential as an actor and he was another one who spent time perfecting his acting skills and it showed, although he primarily played hood rats.

I think anybody can be a great actor, even rappers. If you're from the hood & only plan to play hood rats then don't bother, but they all need to perfect their craft just like regular actors have done.

[theblackactor.com]

Great post, Kimi.

I agree. Even rappers or singers or plumbers or quiltmakers... can be great actors. And many rappers have respectable acting talent. I will be talking about Queen and many of the others in future posts.

[johnny wishbone]

rappers who "become" actors. well i am an ACTOR who also EMCEES. I am TRAINED at acting and have EMCEE'D for a long time. I am a hip hop purist as you can tell.. but also a purist for ACTING. some of these guys can blow.. no doubt.. BUT, being multitalented, I have to say that some of these rapper/singer/actors should have a little more training before some of their roles. i mean.. seriously.. beyonce? no hate.. but seriously?

[theblackactor.com]

@ Johnny.

I agree. If training is required, get it. Don't serve us (the audience) slop!

[www.UCanMakeBeats.com]

i feel you on a certain level regarding actors should be in place of the actors but IMO that is a utopian view...

the reality of the matter is Hollywood is more about turning a buck and a rapper with a core fan base and audience as opposed to an actor who is not as popular, well....

if some struggling actor would have played the RZA's part, that role would most likely have gotten no mention whatsoever! Samuel Jackson also had some angst against rappers coming up in the acting game too, personally I think the bigger problem is us doing more of own our movies so that there are more roles to go around!

[aulelia]

--> co-sign with Kimi on Tupac -- He was so talented and he actually had some range and could play sensitivity very well.

--> What do you think of Ice T? I think of Law & Order developed his character more, it would have been good for him.

[theblackactor.com]

@ Beats.

You are so right, Beats. It is a Utopian view. I think you are right about everything you said.

@ Aulelia

I don't watch Ice T on Law and Order and am unfamiliar with his work (both as a rapper and an actor) but as I understand it, his show has been on for a while. I figure he must be doing something right... maybe something great. I don't know.