Respect to the Rapper

Business…here’s why I can no longer hate on Kobe Bryant. Yeah, I was included in the group of haters. Just didn’t wanna use the first-person in the piece.
So I went on a matinee date to see The Pursuit of Happyness. It seemed worth checking out from the commercials, but I admit I was a bit leery when my girlfriend saw a couple of her friends at the mall they said they went to see it because of the glowing recommendation given by Oprah’s audience. I’m not an Oprah hater, but ehhh…
Anyway, the movie was really good. Had a couple of qualms with it–namely the implicit statement that dude’s wife was wrong to leave him when he wasn’t putting food on the table, which is as good a reason as any to end a marriage–but it was a feel good movie. Never bad to see people making their dreams happen.
But I left that movie with even more respect for Will Smith. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become better able to appreciate adult Will. No black actor, not even Denzel Washington, has been able to build a career with the range Will’s has. In fact, I’d say that few actors of any kind have been able to do what Will does–pretty much what he wants. He’s decided what sort of image he wants to convey in his movies, and he’s a bankable enough brand that he can bring those things to screen. And he’s talented enough to make those characters cool and endearing.
Pretty much, he’s won the game of life. Great job, making good money, beautiful woman that he seems to actually enjoy being around, and seems to be able to do so without compromising himself.
Think about it. How many people have been able to make the transition from goofy child-star–and his time as a rapper counts as child stardom–into this sort of stardom as an adult? I really can’t think of anybody, and I surely can’t think of anyone black.
So props to the man on a good movie. But respect to the man on an admirable career.

13 thoughts on “Respect to the Rapper”

  1. pursuit of happyness was the most stressful movie i’ve ever seen. when i left, i wasn’t letting anyone near my money. i needed to go for a midnight run, just to calm down.
    will smith did well in it (understatement). if i were producing it, i’d have called it black man’s forest gump (not because will’s character was dumb, but becuase he couldn’t afford to just get lucky like forest did; he had to be smater AND luckier than everyone else), because both of them were chasing “happiness”.
    but it says enough about will smith that i wanted to see this film in the first place; i knew simply because he was in it that i’d enjoy it. there’s about 1.5 other actors that get that privelege (j.depp and possibly leo, although i’m waiting on blood diamond to make that call).

  2. I’m totally sending today’s Page 2 to everyone who’s ever made a snide remark about my Kobelove.
    And yeah, Will’s managed to exceed all expectations. If you get a chance (though I realize if you’re knocking Oprah, you might scoff at this, too…), check out the article in this month’s Essence. Not only is he winning, he’s making sure his family’s along for the ride.
    You gotta respect someone who knows what kind of life he wants, then works to get exactly that.

  3. on Kobe,
    after he dropped 81 on toronto, I was convinced he was true..I know alot of young heads are sold on d-wade and Lebron, but Kobe can do what he did no friday anytime he wants to.. I mean the phoenix seires alone last year was proof of his gangsta. Imagine if he decided to take game 7 of that series over….
    As far as Will,
    I respect how he re-invented himself after Wild Wild West.

  4. It’s still completely possible to hate on Kobe–despite his incredible skills.
    Remember last year’s playoffs? The last quarter? He’s 20 times as selfish as AI, and with half the heart.

  5. I knew Will was something special when I saw him in Six Degrees of Separation. If you haven’t had the chance to see it, please do so.
    As for Kobe, I have given up trying to explain to the LeBron and Dwayne Lovers just how great he really is. You think by watching his game they would get it but for some reason…It’s like beating a dead horse.

  6. Bo’, I feel like a proud papa (even though I’m only 10 years older than you). You are really maturing in your writing and in your perspective on some issues. Keep up the good work man.
    peace always,
    strong

  7. will smith is cool because he’s so obviously genuine. I mean the guy never swears in any of his raps because when he was in highschool he promised his grandmother. Somehow despite not really ever compromising himself he has become remarkably successful. Fresh Prince Forever

  8. Stephanie, I agree. I think Wil will forever be chasing his performance in Six Degrees. Superb! He’s best when he tones it down and really gets into finesse acting.
    P.S.
    I really liked is cameo in Jersey Girl too.

  9. As for Kobe. People forget how young he STILL is.
    he is finally coming into his own as a MAN. Who among us really had our ish together mentally before we broke 30.
    And under THOSE circumstances?
    And from what I hear….daddy was a mofo…so that he has matured at all would appear to be a miracle of sorts.

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