the guardian

Idris Elba Reflects On Backlash To “Black Actor” Comments

by

Idris Elba recently reflected on the backlash he received from fans in response to his comments on being a “Black actor” during an interview with Esquire in February. Now, speaking with The Guardian for a new piece, he says that his statements were taken out of context.

Elba recalled the Esquire interview, explaining that the outrage was caused because his quote was “overly scrutinized, taken out of context,” and “thrown into some sort of bullshit, zeitgeisty social media argument.” He added: “Me saying I don’t like to call myself a Black actor is my prerogative. That’s me, not you. So for you to turn around and say to me, I’m ‘denying my Blackness.’ On what grounds? Did you hear that? Where am I denying it? And what for? It’s just stupid. Whatever.”

Idris Elba On The Red Carpet

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Idris Elba arrives at the global premiere of “Luther: The Fallen Sun” at BFI IMAX Waterloo on March 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

As for what exactly Elba said during his conversation with Esquire, he remarked: “As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be.” He continued: “I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realized it put me in a box. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: It’s just skin. Rant over.”

The remarks caused quite an uproar on social media with users taking both sides. One prominent voice to react to Elba was fellow actor John Boyega. “I think we should fixate on who is typecasting and putting actors in boxes because of this. Not on making weird adjustments for them,” Boyega wrote on Twitter. “We continuously focus on what we have to do so they don’t do this or that. Very worrying. We BLACK and that’s that.” In the immediate afterward, Elba also released a clarification of his statement on the platform.

Elba’s Initial Statement

[Via]

Pharrell Says He Wants To Work With De La Soul

by

Pharrell says that he’d “do anything” to work with the legendary rap group, De La Soul. The comments, which Pharrell made during an interview with The Guardian, come as De La Soul’s catalog is finally coming to streaming services.

The topic of working with De La Soul came up when the outlet asked Pharrell to name an album, past or present, that everybody needs to hear.

“All of De La Soul’s stuff is being re-released,” Pharrell said, before naming 3 Feet High and Rising and De La Soul Is Dead. “Even when they were going through all their stuff, Damon [Albarn] from Blur put them on the Gorillaz albums, because he gets it. He knows those guys are responsible for making so many of us misfits feel like we actually fit.”

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Pharrell Williams performs in concert during 2019 ESSENCE Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 07, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images,)

“The De La tribe were the forefathers and founders of the way we see things,” he continued. “I was nearly 16 when 3 Feet High and Rising came out. It was a total gamechanger. It changed my life, period. Would I like to work with them? I would do anything for them, they know that. If they don’t, they should.”

The band announced earlier this month that their music would be hitting DSPs on March 3, 2023.

“We can’t believe this day is finally here,” the band said in a statement. “And we are excited to be able to share our music with fans, old and new”.

Pharrell also stated that he wants to get in the studio with Playboi Carti. He says that a collaboration between the two is “overdue.”

“It’s always based on a vibe,” he said of how he decides on his collaborative efforts. “I like Playboi Carti. I think we’re overdue.”

[Via]