Anthony Mackie Sounds Off On Rappers-Turned-Actors
From Black Voices – In a day and age when box office flicks — like ‘Lottery Ticket’ and ‘Takers’ — star rap elite such as T.I., Ice Cube and Bow Wow, one acclaimed Hollywood actor is disgruntled about how rappers are ruining his profession.
Juilliard-trained Anthony Mackie, who starred in the Academy Award-winning film The Hurt Locker, isn’t biting his tongue about how he feels about today’s movie casting.
“I don’t go into the hospital and let the janitor perform surgery on me, you know what I mean?” Mackie told Details magazine.
He continued, “If you look at what Ice Cube, LL Cool J and Queen Latifah have been able to do, it’s ridiculous to say their talents should be disregarded because they started out in music. At the same time, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Sam Jackson these days, because young actors wouldn’t be given those roles now.”
Jackson was one of the first leading African American actors to take a staunch stand against rappers being cast in movies over trained actors.
Back in 2002, despite starring in films alongside many mainstream rappers, including Tupac Shakur (‘Juice), Latifah (‘Sphere’), Eve, Ice Cube and Xzibit (‘XXX’), and David Banner (‘Black Snake Moan’), the ‘Star Wars’ actor was vocal about his feelings on rappers. 
”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; you just can’t do that,” Jackson said.
“‘It’s not my job to lend credibility to so-and-so rapper who’s just coming into the business,” he continued. “I know there’s some young actor sitting in New York or in 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 — and you can use the word ‘actor’ loosely.”
Mackie, who early in his career was Don Cheadle‘s understudy in the off-Broadway show ‘Topdog/Underdog’ but quit when Mos Def replaced him, echoed Jackson’s sentiment.
(Continue reading @ Black Voices!….)
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Honestly, I don’t have a problem with what he is saying, he is telling the truth. Sorry but some of these musicians need to stay in their lane and work on their music and develop it more. I think people are so caught up with being a so called triple threat in Hollywood that they don’t pull it off well and frankly they fall flat on their face. Yes, their are very talented people that have crossover appeal and can it all but those folks are only a handful and the exception, not the rule. And some of these musicians are just given roles because their names just draws people in regardless if they can truly act or not, when these roles can be given to people who are truly great actors, deserving of it and still looking for a come up. There is nothing wrong in being curious about another profession and wanted to test your skills in it but make sure you come right and take it seriously and learn the craft instead of co-signing to a role. but at the end of the day box office sales and dollar signs is all that matters to these productions companies and if black movie goers take a stand and actually demand quality actors/actresses and good movies roles for them instead of some of these mediocre movies then Hollywood would listen because your hitting them where it hurts…their pockets!
Maybe he should cut a rap album, then the powers-dat-be in Hollywood would give him a lead in the next hood flick.
It is interesting that white musicians are practically mocked for wanting to act, yet rappers are viewed as naturally talented in this arena.
A black actor has to bring something extra to a film, and a rapper has a ready-made audience of fans. Plus black audiences don’t come out in droves for serious artistic films. Anyone can check the box office for non-comedic black films to see how they flopped.
The money counters in Hollywood aren’t stupid.
These are interesting responses. I definitely understand Mackie’s point, but I also agree with what other folks are saying. Rappers or singers shouldn’t have to limit themselves to simply rapping and singing. If they have an opportunity to get into acting, and they’re interested in exploring it, then they should go for it. The reality is, you’ve got to continue creating opportunities for yourself, whether that be a rapper/singer turned designer, or rapper/singer turned business owner, real estate investor. It would be dumb on their part to think rapper/singing should be the only area they generate money in.
But I also feel like there is a larger issue that Mackie should be concerned with. It’s not like all the rappers and singers are getting quality movies, they’re often getting starring roles in wack movies. And the sad part is when movies are created for a Black audience, production companies aren’t putting money up for great films for us to star in. Hollywood isn’t making Oscar worthy films with a Black cast, which is really the big issue Mackie should be hitting at, not the rappers and singers who are getting leading roles in these low quality films. If Black actors were getting more opportunities to star in LEADING or SUPPORTING roles in award worthy films, where their talent was captured and valued, then maybe actors like Mackie wouldn’t be so bothered by rappers and singers enter the actor field. Because then maybe, actors like Mackie might feel more secure that they’ll still be getting more opportunities to be in talent worthy films, despite the emergence of rappers and singers who are starring in 2nd or 3rd tier movies.
While Mackie makes some valid points, he should be directing his anger at the larger issue at hand: the lack of quality, lead & supporting roles for Black actors.
Agreed
Though Anthony Mackie , Samuel L. Jackson, Nia Long, and the other actors mentioned all have made a few good points whoever said that artists or people have to be placed into a box. It’s evident that filmmakers and directors are casting some music artists simply because of the money that they will generate at the box office but, some people truly are multi-talented. Paul Robeson probably wouldn’t be considered so great if was only an athlete or only a singer. The same as well with Josephine Baker. Talent is talent. I’m not saying that all rappers or singers turned actors are talented but, you have to give it to a handful of them.
I think we sometimes forget that African Americans have always been a very multi-talented people. If we take a look at our history and study people like Paul Robeson and Josephine Baker then maybe we will be able to appreciate people like Will Smith, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Mos Def, Ice T, Naturi Naughton, etc.
We would also be doing ourselves and lives a great disservice if we limited ourselves to one dimensional careers. Have anyone even stopped to think that maybe some of these “rappers turned actors” may have actually studied all of the arts in grade school? Maybe it was a situation where be it acting or rapping, whatever avenue got them in the door first they’d later come back and pursue the other art that they love. For instance, take a look at Jamie Foxx. Jamie Foxx is a great actor and he also has a wonderful voice. He initially tried to make it as a singer but, he failed. So after acting and comedy took off he then later picked singing back up.
I’m also sure that a handful of these “rappers/singers turned actors” also have acting coaches and study for some of the roles that they are granted. Acting isn’t easy and I’m sure that these rappers have done more than just take their 5 minute video experience into the film world.
I’ll even use myself as an example. I’ve been writing ever since the fourth grade. My writing initially started out as fiction, poetry, and plays. As I got older I developed an interest in journalism. I’ll be damned if someone throws me shade for later in life going back nurturing what got me started in the first place.
Agreed! 100% I think people tend to focus on those who have limited acting ability instead of giving credit to those who truly are multi-talented.
The arts is the arts. I wouldn’t let the janitor perform surgery on me, but I might let the janitor put in my air conditioner.
I understand him and Nia Long though and it’s unfair to say they are bitter. People put in work and then it’s handed away.
However Anthony Mackie did not do well in “Notorious” whereas Bow Wow did do great in “Lottery Ticket” …acting is an art form and some rappers transition well knowing this.
On the other hand Beyonce should not get these key roles when Nia Long for example isn’t. But Beyonce is an entertainer not necesarily a great artist to me..she’s a little…emotionless to me so of course her acting doesn’t carry over well.
I don’t totally disagree with him, I understand his frustration, however there are some rappers that are very talented overall, and acting is just another form of their creative expression.
Mos Def is a very good example. His is just talented overall, his music, acting. It would probably be hard for him to stay in one lane because he has so many ways to express his creativity. I think Will Smith falls in the category and Queen Latifah but they are the exception. And if you think about Tupac Shakur, he had raw talent. What Hip Hop has done is provide exposure and opportunity for rappers to various audience who would otherwise be ignored and not given the chance to even be considered an option to play a role in a movie.
Its about finding the people with natural skills and giving them the opportunity to shine. That’s sounds picturesque, but look at Jennifer Hudson. She’s not a rapper, she sings, but who knew that she had another ability to act, and well in fact. Her beginnings were humble and focus. She didn’t win American Idol, but look at what she accomplished. I
think its about being an overall entertainer, a triple threat, and we had that back in the day.
A rapper can be a complete performer if its real and organic, and I don’t think its taking away from other prominent actors or actors on the come up like Michael Elay. Its up to writers, producers, and director in our own community to make opportunities available.
I always wiki a new black artist or AA artist when I see a unfamiliar face to get the 411. I would love to see more often Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union, Angela Bassett and so forth… but I get stuck with the rappers and the singers.
I do like Will Smith and Queen Latifah but when it comes to the other ones, I will not spend my money on them.
If we want to see classically trained actors on the big screen or on television, we need more producers, directors and writers of color in Hollywood or even as independent artist. It is better to be behind the camera than to be in front of it. That is where the power is.
Tyler Perry is doing a great job at it but we need more.
This guy was in ‘Juice’?
I understand what Anthony is saying, but I don’t agree. Someone pointed out that Hollywood likes to use familiar faces, that’s why Jennifer Aniston has an absolutely terrible movie out every 6 months. Yes she’s an actress, but not a very good one. Does she deserve roles over better trained actresses, no, but she gets them because she’s a familiar face and people want to see her. Same thing with musicians. You can’t be mad at rappers for taking advantage of a good opportunity.
I hear what Anthony is saying. I started out in NYC doing musical theater for ages and then moved to LA to just do “straight” acting, which is actually where I met Anthony. It does seem tough when there are only so many roles to begin with for “us” and then especially because everyone wants a “name” in their project. They really don’t care who the name is whether they rap or sing or act as long as it’s a name that is a box office draw. At the end of the day though, I do believe that the cream rises to the top. Anthony is cream for sure, hella talented and smart and he will get his due, in due time. He was just in the movie that won Best Picture last Oscars. As for me, I’m back to the music, then I’ll go book some movie and make somebody mad! LOL. Feel free to check out my tracks and download the free ones :-)
For all of the people that keeps saying that rappers/singers is cast in movies because it will bring in money………I would never go see a movie just because of that reason. The first thing that stands out about a movie is the trailer and how it is advertised. That’s how I look at it. As far Mr. Mackie goes, he’s had some pretty decent roles but after watching Notorious, his concern shouldn’t be about rappers/singers, but it should be about continuing to perfect his craft because he didn’t do Tupac any justice.
i LOVE anthony mackie. so talented and attractive.
@ Anthony Mackie’s Image: That is a GREAT ‘WTF?’ face!
If I were a black Juilliard trained actor I’d be pissed off at singers and actors acting too. Roles are already slim and as a nobody you can’t really compete with “Beyonce” or “TI” regardless of who talented you are. An actor should take his craft as seriously as a doctor takes his practice. This is his life, his career, how he pays his bills. It’s not just a means to expand his brand and visibility like it is for entertainers.
I don’t think there any blacks in Hollywood with the money to actually run their own Studios. Not even Tyler Perry can green light a film, he has to have it bought by a studio. It would be wonderful if we could get more blacks employed as casting agents and execs, then maybe we’ll see more of Sanaa or Anthony. Black people still have a long way to go in front of and behind the lens.