In American Gangster and
Smokin' Aces, you play a right-hand man. When do you get to
be the
man?[Laughs] At this point as a new actor, I'm taking the roles that allow me to grow, and I'm not taking on too much. But I am ready to be the leading man.
You're one of three rappers in the cast. Is branching off outside of hip-hop the only way to pay the upkeep on a Bentley these days?
Every individual has their path. I don't care if you rap, it doesn't mean you'll be a good actor. If I try a singing career and I can't sing, it ain't gonna work. People have to find things that fit them and work well with them. For me, it's about building a legacy and expressing myself as an artist and continuing to build a platform for me to make change in the world.
How come you didn't get to express yourself on the American Gangster soundtrack?
Originally it was brought up, but obviously once Jay-Z wanted to go on this thing, I think they decided to follow through with that. I don't know why it didn't come together. It just didn't.
Your shows used to be full of "coffee shop chicks and white dudes." Has that changed any?
Actually it has changed. Along with the coffee shop ladies and the white cats, it's a lot of mainstream people. It's multicultural, and it's not just limited to the artsy crowd. There's people that shop at Saks 5th Avenue and in the 'hood.
And the Gap?
[Laughs] Yeah, the Gap!
Level with us: How many outfits from the Gap do you actually have in your closet?
[Laughs] I've got a nice amount. They broke me off with some nice ones. I also make sure my daughter has what she needs. She loves the Gap's clothes.
Speaking of white guys, can you explain why John Mayer, who might be the whitest guy in recorded history, has been so embraced by hip-hop?
I think that's what's fresh. Soul is about being in tune with who you are and not being scared to express that. John Mayer's blessed with gifts as a musician—he's an artist, and he's blessed with a soulful sound. He's not tryin' to be anyone but him, and people respect that. I respect that. You don't have to be a certain color for me to love and respect you. It's just about being you.
Agreed. So how come so many rappers are spitting other guys' rhymes?
I've never [used] anybody else's lyrics, but I've written some for p
eople. It's fun for me, because I get
to live through them. It's almost like being a character. I wrote for Will Smith
before, and it was like I get to be Will Smith and tell his
story.Cubs or White Sox?
The White Sox. I'm from the South Side.
But now that you're living in New York, who has better pizza?
[Laughs] Chicago, baby! Come on. I love this spot called Giordano's. They have the best deep-dish pizza. It's amazing.
So a draw, then. One last thing—did you ever end up on the wrong side of one of Denzel's backhands?
[Laughs] No, not really. I did get a bucket to the shin. I still got a mark on my leg from a scene where Denzel was smacking this bucket around. It's cool, though. I mean, I'll always remember that mark for the rest of my life.