Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers is ready for his close up!
The Harlem native is set to star as Yung Felon in Spike Lee’s newest movie, Highest 2 Lowest. Rocky’s character is described as an aspiring rapper who will stop at nothing to get the attention of music mogul David King, played by Lee’s longtime collaborator, Denzel Washington.
While Rocky is all too familiar with the process of breaking through as an artist, acting alongside Washington is a new experience. However, it’s one that he says he was born for.
“This is what I do — this is the same approach you would take to making an album or to directing or designing anything: You’ve got to give it your all. People judge you by integrity; that’s how you can measure someone’s principles and morals,” he told Variety. “If somebody don’t got integrity, and they’re just doing it for the check or the look or the next opportunity, it never works out for them. I promise you. That’s where the phrase ‘Cheaters never win’ comes from. When you cheat yourself in life, you never win in the end.”
Rocky may be the first in his family to act alongside Washington, but he is not the only actor in his household. His longtime partner and the mother of his three children, Rihanna, has acting credits in several films throughout the year, including Ocean’s 8, Battleship, and even Donald Glover’s Guava Island to name a few. This summer, she’ll make her debut as Smurfette in Paramount’s Smurfs. Afterward, Rocky hopes to co-star with the global star in a movie he’s directing.
“Hell, yeah. You saw her acting in my film [the 2022 music video] ‘D.M.B.’ You saw her acting in [my 2013 music video] ‘Fashion Killa,'” he answered when asked if he’ll ever act with Rihanna.
“More than likely,” he replied when asked if he’ll direct the film.
Still, Rocky managed to dodge the question when asked what type of movie it will be. In the meantime, he presents the teaser for his first major role, Yung Felon in A24’s Highest 2 Lowest.
