In Spike Lee’s new film “Highest 2 Lowest,” the actor takes on an unexpected role as wealthy music executive David King, engaging in an epic rap battle with aspiring rapper Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky). The scene, scripted but full of improvisation, showcases Washington’s impressive skills, surprising even his co-star.
“I had to go with the flow with him,” A$AP Rocky admits after losing the rap battle. “You’ve got to realize this guy’s a pro. He’s a wordsmith for real.” Denzel Washington roars in response, “But I’m using other people’s material…and I’ve been practicing.”
Washington’s affinity for hip-hop is evident, as he raps along to Nas’ “N.Y. State of Mind” and incorporates lines from DMX and Outkast into his freestyle. A$AP Rocky remarks, “For me on the outside looking in, it was like this guy was Method acting…he should have been a rapper.”
The film explores themes of authenticity in the music industry, where artificial intelligence is changing the game. Denzel Washington expresses skepticism about AI-generated music, stating, “People trying to sound like me don’t sound like me, to me.” A$AP Rocky counters, “These guys are the new rappers…they make all the money now.”
Despite his doubts, Washington remains confident in his own abilities, saying, “I’m still on top” and “I’ve been a closet rapper for 40 years. Finally I get the chance.” The unlikely rap battle between Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky is a riveting showdown that showcases the actor’s hidden talent and cementing his status as a true entertainer.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/denzel-washington-asap-rocky-highest-2-lowest-24159b18233f4c430b28a23ff81987b5