AMERICAN GANGSTER

Denzel Washington’s 7 Most Unforgettable Roles

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Denzel Washington is a Hollywood legend, and that goes without saying. His seamless portrayal of different types of characters has greatly highlighted his versatility over the decades. Moreover, this versatility also shines through his ability to play historical figures. Throughout his illustrious career, Denzel Washington has taken on real-life roles portraying the likes of Malcolm X and Frank Lucas. 

A multiple Oscar-award-winning actor, Denzel Washington has played a few unforgettable roles. From Glory in the 1980s to The Pelican Brief in the early 1990s and even The Little Things in 2021, Denzel’s powerful presence and immersion into his characters always make his movies memorable. With so many acclaimed, unforgettable performances in his resume, let’s review some of the times Denzel has displayed incredible acting dexterity. They’ve become etched in the memories of moviegoers for a long time. 

7. Antwone Fisher (2002)

Antwone Fisher is a film about a young US Navy sailor (who goes by the same name) with a troubled past. After a violent confrontation with a colleague, Antwone is forced to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Jerome Davenport, a character played by Washington. In this role as a psychiatrist, Washington is a compassionate guide that helps Antwone gradually deal with his issues and re-discover himself. The movie won multiple awards, including the Stanley Kramer Award from the Producers Guild of America. This was especially noteworthy because of how it highlighted critical social issues. Furthermore, Antwone Fisher is also an example of Washington’s ability to portray real characters. The movie was based on the life of an actual former US Navy sailor. 

6. Fences (2016)

Denzel’s role in Fences is unforgettable because of how well he immersed himself into the character of Troy Maxson, a frustrated man. Set in the 1950s, the movie highlights the pains of a Black family man who used to be a baseball player but now works as a garbage collector. Moreover, Troy Maxson is angry about the failure he feels his life has become. Coupled with this is the harshness the system metes out to him as a Black man. Eventually, he takes it out on his family, including his wife, played rather flawlessly by Viola Davis. Thanks to both Washington’s and Davis’ powerful acting and presence, Fences earned four Academy Awards nominations, with the latter winning for Best Supporting Actress. 

5. American Gangster (2007)

This crime drama sees Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a real-life depiction of a drug lord who controlled the heroin trade in Harlem. American Gangster showed Lucas as a ruthless yet vulnerable and calculating drug mastermind. Like most crime overlords in history, he got caught. However, Lucas went down with style, snitching on so many New York cops that a good number of them were arrested and convicted. American Gangster was a critical darling, eventually earning multiple Academy Award nods. Overall, it grossed over $260 million worldwide. 

4. Inside Man (2006)

In one of his most captivating roles ever, Denzel Washington portrayed an NYPD negotiator (Detective Keith Frazier) in Inside Man. A bank heist goes down, and Detective Frazier is called upon to handle the situation. Keith Frazier is one of Denzel’s most unforgettable roles because of the wit with which he delivered his lines in the film. Besides this, Inside Man has quite an intriguing plot. Moreover, it’s worth the watch for its captivating, dramatic moments. 

3. Philadelphia (1998)

In Philadelphia, Denzel Washington starred as Joe Miller, a personal injury lawyer representing Andrew Beckett, played by Tom Hanks. Beckett, who is also a lawyer, gets fired from his law firm on suspicions of being gay and having AIDS. He ends up convincing a reluctant Joe Miller to represent him. As the plot develops, it is evident that Joe Miller’s inclinations change, and he becomes more open-minded.

Philadelphia was one of the first Hollywood films that shined an unbiased light on the topic of AIDS. The movie also continued establishing Denzel Washington as an actor with great range. Moreover, his ability to take on and succeed in roles that depicted social issues has become a prominent part of his career. That also makes Joe Miller one of Denzel’s most unforgettable roles. 

2. Malcolm X (1992)

Malcolm X is another film where Denzel Washington depicted a real-life person. Collaborating with director Spike Lee on this one, Washington acts out Malcolm X’s life from his humble beginnings to his life as a preacher and leader.  Unfortunately, Malcolm X was nominated for two Academy Awards but didn’t win any, greatly displeasing his longtime friend, Spike Lee. However, it won multiple NAACP awards, including the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Award. 

1. Training Day (2001)

It would be difficult to think of unforgettable Denzel Washington roles without Training Day coming to mind. Known for its description of blatant and unabashed corruption, Training Day is a masterpiece that still holds relevance in film culture today. Washington masterfully played the role of Alonzo Harris, a police detective and the head of LAPD’s narcotics division. 

As the name suggests, the film is set across one day – one day for Alonzo Harris to show newly promoted detective Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) how to be a narcotics detective. Unbeknownst to Jake, however, Detective Harris works with the Russian mafia and would do anything to achieve his criminal objectives. Since Training Day, Alonzo Harris has become an important name in crime cinema. Denzel Washington deviated from his usual role as a hero and played a villain with dastardly motives. Overall, Washington was electric in his role, delivering a standout performance.  It’s no wonder it won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. 

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The post Denzel Washington’s 7 Most Unforgettable Roles appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

T.I. Says He is a Combination of JAY-Z, 2Pac, and Two More Hip-Hop Icons

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T.I. Recalls On Set Advice from Denzel Washington During 'American Gangster' Rehearsals

T.I. is undoubtedly the King of the South and a Hip-Hop legend. If you were to ask him who he is a combination of, his answer would be four titans of our genre: JAY-Z, 2Pac, Diddy and Snoop Dogg.

During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, T.I. revealed that he sees his legends in his composition.

“I see myself as a hybrid kind of between, I guess, Jay, ‘Pac, Puff and like a Snoop, you know what I’m saying?” T.I. said. “I kind of hop in and out and take pages out of the book of legends, and I’ve been fortunate enough and blessed enough to be able to have these relationships where I could sit and engage and soak up game.”

T.I. would give more love to people like E-40, Master P, Jay Prince, and more in the conversation.

In the same conversation, T.I. recalled the year 2007, when he found himself alongside Denzel Washington in the film classic American Gangster.

T.I. played the nephew of Washington’s character, Frank Lucas, who was ditching a promising baseball future aside to join the family drug business.

T.I. recalls the moment Washington coached him through a scene and helped him combat his nerves.

“As we’re rehearsing I’m pacing back and forth,” T.I. said. “And he said, ‘What’s up, n-gga, You nervous?’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’m just making sure I don’t mess it up.’

“He said, ‘Here man, listen. They could have had anybody in here doing what you’re doing right now. They could have anybody in the world, they could have called anybody right here to do what you’re doing.’”

You can check out the full conversation below.

Flash forward to today, T.I. is still in his acting bag. Hitting theaters this weekend, T.I. will star alongside Power’s Joseph Sikora in the psychological horror film, Fear.

This psychological horror film follows a group of friends who gather for that typical friends weekend getaway at a remote and historic hotel. Their celebration takes a terrifying quick and sudden turn as each one of the guests has to face their own worst fear one by one thanks to a powerful force inside the hotel. The trailer shows the group sharing their biggest fears—some of which we can all relate to.

You can see the trailer below.

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The post T.I. Says He is a Combination of JAY-Z, 2Pac, and Two More Hip-Hop Icons appeared first on The Source.

T.I. Recalls Denzel Washington’s Advice On Set Of “American Gangster”

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T.I. recently reflected on his work on American Gangster alongside Denzel Washington. Speaking with Shannon Sharpe during an appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast, T.I. recalled some advice the legendary actor gave him.

“As we’re rehearsing, I’m pacing back and forth, pacing back and forth,” he told the former NFL star. “And he said, ‘What’s up, n***a? You nervous?’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’m just making sure I don’t mess it up.’”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 07: T.I. onstage during 2022 InvestFest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 07, 2022 in Atlanta. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

T.I. continued: “He said, ‘Here man, listen. They could have had anybody in here doing what you’re doing right now. They could have anybody in the world, they could have called anybody right here to do what you’re doing.’”

T.I. further elaborated: “I said, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ He said, ‘They called you for a reason didn’t they?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘You know what that reason is?’ I started thinking and I said, ‘Yeah, I do.’”

From there, Washington remarked to T.I., “‘Alright then, do that and you ain’t got no reason to be nervous.’”

T.I.’s role in American Gangster was one of his earliest movie appearances. Other rappers appeared in the film as well, including Common and RZA.

Speaking with MTV back in 2007, T.I. previously said: “It’s like when a Hip Hop fan hears a song like [DJ Khaled‘s] ‘We Takin’ Over’ and you hear all your favorites and you hear them at their best.”

American Gangster was directed by legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott and featured an all-star cast. In addition to T.I., Washington, RZA, and Common, it stars Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Cuba Gooding Jr., among others.

Revisit the trailer for American Gangster below.

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[WATCH] T.I. Recalls On Set Advice from Denzel Washington During ‘American Gangster’ Rehearsals

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T.I. Recalls On Set Advice from Denzel Washington During 'American Gangster' Rehearsals

T.I. has done a bit of everything in his storied career. In 2007, he found himself alongside Denzel Washington in the film classic American Gangster.

T.I. played the nephew of Washington’s character, Frank Lucas, who was ditching a promising baseball future aside to join the family drug business.

Appearing on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, T.I. recalls the moment Washington coached him through a scene and helped him combat his nerves.

“As we’re rehearsing I’m pacing back and forth,” T.I. said. “And he said, ‘What’s up, n-gga, You nervous?’ I’m like, ‘Man, I’m just making sure I don’t mess it up.’

“He said, ‘Here man, listen. They could have had anybody in here doing what you’re doing right now. They could have anybody in the world, they could have called anybody right here to do what you’re doing.’”

Flash forward to today, T.I. is still in his acting bag. Hitting theaters this weekend, T.I. will star alongside Power’s Joseph Sikora in the psychological horror film, Fear.

This psychological horror film follows a group of friends who gather for that typical friends weekend getaway at a remote and historic hotel. Their celebration takes a terrifying quick and sudden turn as each one of the guests has to face their own worst fear one by one thanks to a powerful force inside the hotel. The trailer shows the group sharing their biggest fears—some of which we can all relate to.

You can see the trailer below.

The post [WATCH] T.I. Recalls On Set Advice from Denzel Washington During ‘American Gangster’ Rehearsals appeared first on The Source.

Idris Elba Shares How Got To Be Featured On Jay-Z’s “American Gangster” Album

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Idris Elba Tapped To Portray Knuckles In 'Sonic The Hedgehog 2'

Idris Elba is well known for his role in the 2007 film American Gangster starring Denzel Washington. The British actor was also featured on the intro track of the Jay-Z 2007 album of the same name. During a recent interview on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Elba spoke about how he “hustled” his way onto the album

“So I was in American Gangster and at the time I heard Jay was about to do an album associated with the film and I was like, ‘I need to get on that.’ As you do. No idea why JAY-Z would be like, ‘Yeah, sure! Do it,” Elba said.

The actor added, “So Lenny S., who works with Jay, was a good friend of Oronde [Garrett, Elba’s manager]. I wrote this long poem [with] a friend of mine, we put it to a beat — actually it was a rap, but it didn’t sound good as a rap, so I said, ‘Maybe I should speak this.’ ‘Cause Jay might be a little more accommodating to my speaking voice.”

Elba then said that he sent it to Jay-Z who texted him back “I don’t love this. I f*cking love it.”

You can check out the clip below as well as the song.

The post Idris Elba Shares How Got To Be Featured On Jay-Z’s “American Gangster” Album appeared first on The Source.

Idris Elba Details How He ‘Hustled His Way Onto’ Jay-Z’s ‘American Gangster’ Album

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Idris Elba makes a memorable appearance on Jay-Z’s 2007 album American Gangster, speaking on and producing “Intro.” Now Elba has spoken a bit more about how that came to be, telling Jimmy Fallon he “hustled [his] way onto” the album

On The Tonight Show yesterday, Elba (who was in the American Gangster movie on which the album was based) said:

“I was in American Gangster and at the time, I heard 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!’ I had no idea why Jay would be like, ‘Yeah, sure, do it.’ So Lenny S., who works with Jay, was a good friend of Oronde and Oronde’s my guy, and I said, ‘Yo, I’m gonna write this thing.’ And I wrote this long poem… a friend of mine, we wrote this long poem, we put it to a beat. Actually, it was a rap, but it didn’t sound good as a rap. […] I 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, ‘I don’t love this… I f*cking love it.”

Check out the full interview above.