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 Back to [ Page One ] When you brought the Barbershop franchise to Chicago, it was huge for the film production community here. Talk to me a little about what it means to make a film in Chicago... Well, I been coming to Chicago since about 1988 on and off with NWA playing the Regal Theater. I love the town. I've used people from Chicago in my films for a while, Bernie Mac, Mike Epps - he ain't too far from here. I love the people, love the town, love the city. I always wanted to do a movie here, so when this came up, I talked to MGM and I asked them where they wanted to do the movie and they said well, we can do it on the back lot over here and I'm like 'Naw man - no. If we're gonna do a movie 'bout being in the hood, we're gonna do it in the hood,' and the best place for me to go was Chicago. I also wanted to work and play here. Do you think that doing a kid’s film will change the perception of who you are as a performer? You know, you always gotta prove yourself, convince people that you can do it, convince people that America's ready for it. You know, this is a big comedy with big set pieces, an all-black cast. But I think it's my job to be in those meetings and convince them that this is something that the country is ready for. We did the "Friday" series, which was R, then "Barbershop" and "Barbershop 2", which were PG-13. Without the success of that, I don't believe this one would have gotten made. You always have to prove yourself. I don't think there'll ever be in a time in Hollywood where you don't have to prove yourself - black or white. What's that ideal high point in your career where you see yourself really opening up on screen? When I get to the point where I really get to do the films that I want to for the right amount of money. There are a lot of films out there but now it's about convincing people that now's the right time to put the budgets with those. They'll give you small budgets for the movies that you want to do, then all the money goes into the films that they want to do. I got to get to the point in my career where I'm convincing the guys that this is my time to do my "Schindler's List" now that I've made them all this money. It just takes time. It's not like making a record. When I'm making a record, I can just go in there and do what I want. Here you have to collaborate with so many people. So many financial people, so many creative people, it's a totally different process. Do you worry that your rap image might work against your image in films? Naw, I'm gonna always be me. I ain't got no image. People gonna have to accept that or not. You know I'm fine if folks are like 'Cube, thanks but no thanks.' As far as the rap world, my history speaks for itself. If my past has set me in stone with that, then so be it. But I can't not move forward because I'm worried about looking back. What's your reaction to Essence Magazine's recent big campaign against hip hop and its anti-woman culture? I don't care. There's always been people who don't like what we do. I don't worry because it's just somebody's opinion. I wish they'd take a little more time to discover what the music is about. It's 90% ego and bravado and braggin', boastin'. That's part of it. Inflated ego is part of the rap game. It's the essence. It's damn near like rhymin' and bein' clever and bein' witty, all that goes hand in hand. Which is more challenging for you, the straight dramatic stuff or the comedy? Dramatic. Dramatic can go in a lot of different directions. A lot of different ranges. With comedy I know my limits. Being a comedian is not the answer, but me being in funny situations can be funny. I try to react like I was in the audience. I wanna have the same reaction as those dudes in the front row and the back. With my "Friday" movies, I tried to be the one with the most sense then surround myself with a bunch of crazies, so I can have the same reaction they have. Everybody has their specialties. Me bouncing off the walls is not as funny as Mike Epps bouncing off the walls. I am a straight man, will always be. Talk to me about what it means to be a multi-talented performer balancing multiple careers... Most people are multi-talented. It might not have anything to do with entertainment, but most people have a few things that they do really well. You can always do too much, and I think the product will suffer because of it. I think you should do what you do best. You shouldn't limit yourself by titles. Some rappers shouldn't do movies. Some rappers can't rap. Some actors can't act. You either got it or you don't. I mean if you got it, you could do this. I mean I didn't go to school for no twelve years. This isn't rocket science. It's all about having it and understanding what the art is and how to perform it and pull it off. That right there is nothing special from what I can see. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Written by [ Richard Sharp ] [ Home ] |
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