Cult Classic Films Archives - New Hip Hop News

For many people, New Jack City is a 90s classic. With an ensemble cast of excellent performances and a forever-relevant story about the perils of power, many people hold it in high regard. It was released in 1991 and people still reference it to this day whether it be through memes or the classic “Am I my brother’s keeper?” quote. The movie just recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary and we’re looking at where the cast is today.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is among the New Jack City cast members who took significant leaps in Hollywood afterward. Snipes has a long resume of credits, including roles like King Of New York, though New Jack City undoubtedly catapulted him to new heights in his career. Just after starring in the 1991 cult classic, he co-starred alongside Woody Harrelson in 1992’s White Men Can’t Jump. Still, one of Snipes’s most iconic roles landed in the Blade trilogy from 1998-2004. After appearing in other action-based roles, he joined the ensemble cast of action stars in 2015’s The Expendables 3. Snipes has proven his range by appearing in recent non-action films like 2019’s Dolomite Is My Name and 2021’s Coming 2 America.

Outside of his acting roles, Snipes has pursued other business ventures. One of the most interesting ones is his foray into the world of sci-fi literature. He co-created the After Dark comics series with Antoine Fuqua – the director of Training Day, The Equalizer trilogy, and several other films. Snipes also did some writing of his own with his novel Talon Of Gold from 2017 and a 2022 comic book series called The Exiled.

Ice-T

Ice-T was surely a household name before appearing in New Jack City. The gangsta rap pioneer has continued to make music, though there’s no doubt his role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has eaten up the bulk of his time since 2000. According to Deadline, he became the longest-running male series actor due to his long-standing role as Detective Odafin Tutuola. In 2018, Ice-T began hosting a show called Ice Cold Blood which ended in 2021. This series followed true crime stories. Ice-T has remained active as a rapper, dropping his last album in 2020 and appearing on singles over the years.

Allen Payne

Allen Payne was a cast member in New Jack City in 1991 but other people may know him for his role as C.J. Payne on Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne series. This series ran from 2006 to 2012 and had a revival in 2020 before ending in 2023. Payne also starred in the 2021 Lifetime Original movie The Fight That Never Ends. He most recently appeared in the New Jack City stage play where he reprised his role as Gee Money from the film. Other cast members include Treach, Big Daddy Kane, and Flex Alexander. The stage adaptation originally ran from November 2022 through summer 2023. It returned in January 2024 with this year’s run scheduled to end in June.

Chris Rock

Chris Rock has taken more and more dramatic roles in recent years but being cast as Pookie in New Jack City was one of his first forays into a non-comedic role. His most recent role was starring in 2021’s Spiral: From The Book Of Saw where he played the lead role as Detective Zeke Banks. Unfortunately, his artistic output has been shadowed in recent times following the 2022 Oscars when Will Smith slapped him on stage. However, the dust has settled from this incident and he has bounced back from it. In 2023, he released a Netflix stand-up special called Selective Outrage and in 2024 will release a documentary with Kevin Hart called Chris Rock And Kevin Hart: Headliners Only in December.

Bill Nunn

Bill Nunn was a cast member in New Jack City that had already been in another iconic movie before this one. He played Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. He went on to act in multiple roles throughout the 90s and 2000s. Some may be most familiar with his roles in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. He also appeared in the TV movie version of A Raisin in the Sun starring other icons like Sanaa Lathan and Phylicia Rashad. Unfortunately, Nunn passed away in 2016.

Mario Van Peebles

Mario Van Peebles is not only in the cast of New Jack City – he’s the director. Out of everyone on our list, he has the most stacked resume as an actor and director in film, television, and theatre. Throughout the 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s he directed films and episodes of television series. He also continued to act in both, sometimes directing the episode or movie he was also playing a role in. His most recent directional role was 2024’s Outlaw Posse, he has a role in this one too. His son, Mandela Van Peebles is also in it.

Judd Nelson

Judd Nelson was cast as the partner of Ice-T’s character in New Jack City. Since this role, he appeared in a variety of shows and movies, both live-action and animation. It just so happens his most recent television role was on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2021. His last film role was 2022’s The Most Dangerous Game.

Michael Michelle

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 12: Michael Michele attends Lifetime’s “Drunk, Driving And 17” Advanced Screening at Swirl Films Office on April 12, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

Michael Michelle is one of the few female cast members in New Jack City. She continued to appear in film roles throughout the late 90s and 2000s. Her most recent roles have been in television series. From 2016 to 2022, she had either main or recurring roles in Blue Bloods, MacGyver, Star, Queen Sugar, and Dynasty.

Vanessa Estelle Williams

new jack city cast — BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 05: Vanessa Estelle Williams attends Los Angeles Special Screening Of Amazon And MGM Studios’ “American Fiction” – Arrivals at Samuel Goldwyn Theater on December 05, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/WireImage)

Vanessa Estelle Williams was cast as Keisha in New Jack City. Her character was one of the few women in Nino’s Cash Money Brothers gang. Williams continued to act throughout the years, most recently appearing in TV movies and other small roles. However, her biggest role was in 1992’s Candyman, another classic movie. She reprised her role in the 2021 sequel of the same name.

Who was your favorite cast member from New Jack City? Let us know in the comments section.

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The post “New Jack City” Cast: Where Are They Now? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Hip Hop movies have become a mainstay among lovers of the genre. Many of these projects have become responsible for pushing the genre past the radio. A vital medium within the culture of Hip Hop, many of these releases have achieved cult classic status. Going past the music to highlight the social and cultural activities surrounding the genre, Hip Hop movies are essential in showcasing many facets.

Cult classic Hip Hop movies cover a wide range of plots and are far from one-dimensional. They offer deep dives into the many highs and lows of Hip Hop culture. There’s no shortage of incredibly written material, from romantic dramas to comedies and gritty stories about gun violence and racial profiling. There is an endless stream of Hip Hop movies to get into, and these seven classics should be a part of everyone’s watchlist.

Wild Style (1983)

Wild Style is a drama often regarded as the pioneer of Hip Hop movies. The Charlie Ahearn-directed project has maintained cultural relevance even after 40 years. Wild Style showcases the birth of Hip Hop in the ’80s and its many facets. The movie follows an anonymous graffiti artist and his signature during the rise of the rap industry.

Many rap, breakdance, and graffiti artists and groups appeared in Wild Style. The movie became a melting pot of Hip Hop pioneers and featured legends like Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash, among others.

Krush Groove (1985)

Krush Groove is a movie that was greatly inspired by the early days of Def Jam Recordings. Blair Underwood starred as a fictional version of the iconic record producer Russell Simmons. The musical comedy featured a staggering list of notable musicians, including Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, New Edition, and the Beastie Boys. Krush Groove also stacked many famous stars in its soundtrack album.

Juice (1992)

During his brief, yet legendary career, Tupac Shakur made his film debut in the coming-of-age crime thriller, Juice. Ernest R. Dickerson directed the classic Hip Hop movie. It features unforgettable performances by Omar Epps, Queen Latifah, Samuel L. Jackson, Khalil Kain, and Jermaine Hopkins. Juice is set in Harlem, following four friends who get caught up in the gritty world of street crime and the harrowing events that occur as a result.

Juice delivers on all fronts and is packed with a lot of gut and heart. Peer pressure, friendship, loyalty, and police harassment are significant themes that the movie covers. The film’s soundtrack, also called Juice, was released on New Year’s Eve in 1991. Hip Hop veterans like Naughty by Nature and Eric B. & Rakim appeared on the album. Juice is undoubtedly a quintessential Hip Hop cult classic.

Friday (1995)

Friday is a buddy comedy that is still referenced almost three decades after its release. The hilarious movie was led by brilliant performances by Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. Friday was a cultural phenomenon and offered a new perspective on Hip Hop movies. DJ Pooh and Ice Cube wrote the movie in an attempt to show a lighter side to films involving the hood.

F. Gary Gray directed the movie and also had a minor role in it. The funny ensemble cast included Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Regina King, Faizon Love, John Witherspoon, and more. Friday follows two friends who owe a feared drug dealer some money and their antics as they attempt to recover the money. The cult classic spawned two sequels and is the reason for the popular quote, “Bye Felicia!”

Paid in Full (2002)

Paid in Full is a crime drama starring Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, and Cam’ron. The film was directed by Charles Stone III, and it was inspired by true events. Paid in Full follows the drug trade in 1980s Harlem and the rise and fall of three friends caught up in it. The film serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of a life of crime.

Pain in Full is another one of many classic Hip Hop movies. In addition to its real-life situations, the fictitious project was based on notable drug dealers Azie Faison, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez. Greed, loyalty, ambition, and betrayal are significant themes in the movie. Paid in Full had a mixed critical reception, but it has become one of the staple movies in Hip Hop culture.

How High (2001)

How High is a lighthearted comedy that features Method Man and Redman in lead roles. The hilarious movie touched on fantasy elements and delivered joke after joke from start to finish. The film follows a pair of lazy stoners, Silas and Jamal, who smoke a magical substance. When a ghost appears to the duo, they ace their exams and end up at Harvard. However, when they run out of their magical supply, they must navigate college independently.

Additionally, How High introduced a softer side to the pair of Hip Hop rappers. The movie may not have achieved a critical and commercial response, but it remains a staple Hip Hop movie. The soundtrack was a moderate success, with songs from Method Man and Redman featured.

Don’t Be A Menace (1996)

Don’t Be a Menace is another beloved comedy film that covers Hip Hop culture. Shawn and Marlon Wayans star in the laugh-out-loud movie about a young man who moves to the tough streets of Los Angeles. Don’t Be a Menace is noteworthy for its spoofing of classic Hip Hop movies of the 1990s. Juice, South Central, Boyz n the Hood, and Menace II Society were parodied in the film.

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