Artist: RWD

The UK is so late right now. America has been on Idris Elba for more than a minute. It looks like the actor/ rapper is finally About To Blow in the UK too. Words by Archna Sawjani...

So you’re a musician and an actor?
Yes, I’m both an artist and actor. I trade between the two. I’m just trying to articulately express myself though different art forms, be it music, acting or photography. I’m still growing in all forms.

Rappers in the past have come under attack by actors – being you were an actor first, what are your thoughts on the debate?
By my own definition; if you’re an artist you’re an artist. Whether you’re a rapper, actor, musician or painter. If you’re good at various art forms then why not? I’m not just saying this as I also dabble in music (laughs). A lot of artists actually acted before they started rapping or singing; Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott... Certain people believe you should do what your best at and stay in your lane, but I honestly feel if you can do a few things good then why shouldn’t you be allowed?

Your breakthrough happened in America – but why did you move there in the first place?
My ambition is and was huge, larger than life. I always had giant dreams. I always wanted more than I could actually do. In the UK, I found I was auditioning against people who I was watching on TV, people who I admired throughout the years and that just made me realise that England couldn’t house my ambition, you could only reach a certain point in the UK. Also there isn’t really a star support system here in the UK for actors of African or Caribbean decent. You could be a white actor in Eastenders and you’re considered a star and they’ll support that, but that’s not the case with black actors. In America they have a history of black stars and they have a history of celebrating people who have done well and are doing well.

Do you feel like black British actors get stereotyped more too?
There’s definitely still the element that ‘Black people are violent or black people are angry’ thing so yeah I feel England still suffers from stereotyping. America seems to have gotten over that, which is why you can see characters playing roles that have nothing to do with their race. Me personally, I have always avoided stereotypes. When it comes to my work I won’t accept that, I wont have you pigeonhole me.

I hear what you’re saying but in America, you’re most well known character was a drug dealer?
Yeah but it wasn’t a stereotypical drug dealer. It was a drug dealer that completely flipped it on his head and since then I haven’t been playing drug dealers, I’ve been playing a variation of different roles.

Why do you think the UK don’t see you as big a star like the US do?
When I’m home in the UK, I don’t really like talking to the press. It’s just in my nature to keep myself to myself, it‘s who I am as a person. When you see me in American magazines, it’s usually me doing a phone interview here from London. I honestly don’t want to be famous. I love being in London as not many people recognise me.

That’s going to change though...?
I’m definitely embracing the idea that I will have to promote myself to keep the momentum going. I’m not hating on it and I understand at the end of the day; I have to do it, it’s work. That’s another reason I enjoy doing music, photography and other projects, because people find it hard to pigeonhole me.

How do you think people will take you trying to do music?
Ultimately music is just another form of expression for me. I’m not trying to come in and compete against other rappers or other DJ’s or producers. It’s like I have a blank canvas in front of me; I’m really not even looking for judgment or appraisal on it. It just is what it is. When I’m doing a DJ set, sometimes I’ll do a house set and then I’ll do a hip hop or reggae set. You know, I’m not trying to be Puffy, I’m just a person trying to put music together; that’s it.

Your next film is American Gangster. How was working with Denzel Washington?
Honestly, I really can’t talk about what it was like working with Denzel the person, because Denzel is a method actor. So Denzel the person wasn’t there; it was the character, Frank Lucas that he was playing. And was that amazing? Of course, because he was very dedicated to it and I walked into a room with an actor that is giving 110%, but there are no real personal stories that I can give you. I respect him as an actor.

What’s next for you?
I have two more films coming out this year; American Gangster and a Christmas film with Chris Brown. Next year I have a film called Prom Night and then I have a part in the Guy Ritchie film which is called RocknRolla, with Ludacris. On the music side I have some plans that I’m about to put out there. I’m actually putting this the music out via this character I’ve created so I can say whatever I want basically. The first song I think is called Pervert.

I wanted to also ask you about your ‘sex symbol status...’
(Laughs) On one side, I’m really pleased. Black people don’t usually get the sex symbol status regularly, but personally it’s like who cares? While I was growing up; no one never called me sexy so it’s strange for me getting that now but...

What’s been your biggest achievement to date?
My daughter, she’s five years-old and I love her to bits, she definitely keeps my grounded and focused, she’s changed the way I live. For the future, I see myself directing eventually and fusing pictures and music together. I’ve started writing treatments for videos in America and I might be directing Angie Stone’s next video. I actually wrote a song on her new album with a partner of mine and she loved the record and it’s hopefully going to be her second single...

Finally, 50 or Kanye?
Kanyeezy man. I like Fif but his music just isn’t doing anything for me right now.

American Gangster is out later this year. Submit to: | | | | | | | |