What do you think about singers and rappers getting leading movie roles? Do they deserve it? What do you think?
The late great Paul Robeson was called a "Renaissance Man." He was was a multi-lingual actor, athlete, operaticconcert singer, writer, and civil rights activist.
If a rapper wants to take their advance money or record proceeds and create their own movies - as have Percy Miller (Master-P) and Dame Dash, then so be it & God bless them ... HOWEVER ... Every artist who dedicates himself or herself to their craft hates to see anyone just slide in from the outside and run the risk of making a mockery of it.
Queen Latifah and LL Cool J are a couple of entertainers who got their start in Hip Hop, but are also considered serious actors. Both also committed themselves to being professionally trained out of respect for the craft of acting. Will Smith also got his start in Hip Hop, and was one of the first to really make a successful transition from rap music into acting. However - and he will be the first to admit - Smith was "playing" when he was rapping. His television show was his transition from playing to working ... and when he began working ... Well ... his work speaks for itself.
The one thing that links this all together is that there must be a true respect for the line that's being crossed. When there are people out there who are putting their entire being into their craft with little to no results, to see someone come along and catch a break and make a mockery of it ... that's dangerous.
The true talent is not in being on the screen or on the album or on the stage ... that true talent is making being on the screen, album or stage look easy.
Now ... Why have I shared this?
Well ... Entertainment, in all of its forms, is one of the most lucrative industries in American Society. It is one industry where it appears people become successful and wealthy overnight.
Appearances, however, are rather deceiving. You see the hundreds of shots Michael Jordan and Larry Bird made on TV, but few - if any - have seen the thousands of shots they missed in private practice. You hear the 10 or 12 songs that make it to your favorite CD, but you don't hear the other 40 to 50 some-odd other songs that weren't quite as up to par.
It takes work in order to be truly successful. Some people do land under a truly lucky star. Some people do catch a break that may not seem fair to the work others put in trying to attain a similar goal. Ultimately, people waste too much time focusing on the success and breaks that other people are experiencing instead of putting in the time, research; and most importantly, the work necessary to achieve their OWN personal success - and there is where the essence; dare I say - the secret, behind why those who are truly successful are truly successful, and why those who are not ... are not.
Regardless of the area or industry, success is a craft unto itself ... As is mediocrity ... and failure.
If you wish to cross the lines of failure or mediocrity into the arena of the successful ... you must respect the craft of the successful. The only way to become truly successful is to respect the craft of success and earn the respect of the successful.
Do this ... and when your time comes, you will be accepted into a universal fraternity that has no end.
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