Samuel L. Jackson speaks his mind...

[AKA2D '91]

what are your thoughts? Non-actors as actors?


Jackson Derides Rap Crossover Trend
Mon Jul 22, 6:22 AM ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Samuel L. Jackson doesn't think much of the trend that is turning rap singers into movie stars.


"To take people from the music world and give them the same kind of credibility and weight that you give me, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker — that's like an aberration to me," Jackson said.

He won't even look at a script that gives a rapper a starring role.

"It's not my job to lend credibility to so-and-so rapper who's just coming into the business."

Jackson has appeared with rappers in supporting roles in films such as the upcoming "XXX," and he applauds Will Smith as a rapper who has won some credibility as an actor.

But overall, he dislikes the crossover trend, he told the Sacramento Bee recently.

"I know there's some young actor sitting in New York or L.A. who's spent half of his life learning how to act and sacrificing to learn his craft but isn't going to get his opportunity ... because of some actor who's been created," he said.

[MsChief08]

I think Sammy has a point. Filmaking is an art form and we degrade it by letting any ole' body with fame and money do it and ride the coat tails of true artists. Will Smith has a background in acting - and he is good at it. But it is unfair to use the names and talent of good actors to sell movies coupled with no-acting rappers. That's like going to the museum to see a Monet exhibit featuring artwork by Little Kim. Or the New York Ballet with guest star Fat Joe. Everyboby has a talent and they should stick with it and let the pros do what they do best.



Chief #32
Fab 48
Spring 2000
Lambda Mu Omega

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by MsChief08
[B]I think Sammy has a point. Filmaking is an art form and we degrade it by letting any ole' body with fame and money do it and ride the coat tails of true artists.

I agree.

Will Smith has a background in acting

and that background would be...

I can feel where Sam is coming from. It is amazing to see people who have come up on a "whim" to receive various acolades AND WORK (*edit*)when "you" (Samuel, Angela, etc.) were "trained" (university, so and so's school of drama/acting), and still have yet to receive your "props".

[MavenofDrec]

Hello Everyone,


It has been a minute since I posted. Yes, of course Sammy is right. Most rappers can barely speak English let alone rap. I think their little i'gnant behinds should be confined to BET!

[FeeFee]

Though I agree with what Samuel has said about rappers and acting, what about rappers such as Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and Heavy D who have been in both movies and TV and have gotten some pretty good reviews? Most rappers (especially the newer ones) who are performing in movies now are crediting these people for opening the doors for other rappers to star in movies.

Just a thought, that's all. Not to stir up too much conterversy.

[MsChief08]

I hear where FeeFee is coming from. I don't know much about the others, but I know you can't sleep on Will Smith. He didn't pop up outta nowhere and do a couple movies and disappear. He's been in a dozen movies and a couple tv shows which have led to at least 10 various awards and over a dozen nominations. I would not put him in the same catagory of Master P, Ice Cube, Ice T, or even Queen Latifah. There are a lot of good actors that lack the initial formal schooling. But don't think they haven't gotten tons of training during their careers.

[RedefinedDiva]

I think that Samuel is misunderstood. I don't think that he is really dissing rappers that become actors. I think that he is dissing the circumstances under which they become actors. The examples that you gave were great--Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and Heavy D. They all paid their dues and made major moves. They dared to act when it wasn't popular and they weren't peddling albums in the spare time. Today, rappers come out with movies and make $50 million on the first weekend and have the nerve to had done the ENTIRE soundtrack. They got their roles because of who they were, not because of their skills. I have to give props to Will Smith because he has really proven himself as an actor. In fact, I like him better as an actor than a rapper. Who would have thought that his secondary career would become better than his primary?

[evaclear04]

I have to agree with the general consensus of the room. Samuel makes a good point. If rap artist want to act then they should have to start from the bottom just like everyone else and earn the rights to be in high profile, high paying movies. Will Smith, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, etc. did "grunt" work first. That's why they can be respected for their work.






AlphaKappaAlpha
University of North Florida
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Spr 00
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[AKAtude]

Originally posted by evaclear04
[B]I have to agree with the general consensus of the room. Samuel makes a good point. If rap artist want to act then they should have to start from the bottom just like everyone else and earn the rights to be in high profile, high paying movies. Will Smith, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, etc. did "grunt" work first. That's why they can be respected for their work.

I agree.

[darling1]

Don't hate the players hate the game...