By now, you probably know that A$AP Rocky has a role in the independent film "Dope," and that the film sold for $7 million following a successful showing at Sundance Film Festival. Now, Rocky has spoken on his role in the film, as well as his desire to keep acting, in a new interview with The New York Times. Read excerpts from the interview below.
NYT: You were really good in “Dope.” Is it true you approached the director, Rick Famuyiwa, about being in the film?
Rocky: Yeah. I was helping Chanel with her lines, and there was one role where I was like, “Oh, this dumb kid, he seems a little interesting. I want to go for it.” I was actually in London recording my album, and I figured I’d just send a video in. So I sent two videos, and they liked them. And two months later, when I flew to L.A., I met up with Rick and did an audition in front of him, and he just decided to go with me. To be honest with you, I was worried that I didn’t get the role. I was pissed.
NYT: How did you find out that you got it?
Rocky: Via text message from Rick. He wrote me, like, “Congratulations, Dom.” And I was like, “What? Did I get him correct just now? Am I trippin’? Am I buggin’?”
NYT: There aren’t many modern movies dealing with hip-hop.
Rocky: This was the first in a long time! That’s why I had to be a part of it.
NYT: Are there any other genres you’d like to explore?
Rocky: I like sci-fi films. I like action-packed thrillers — with, like, conspiracy theories. If I’m starring in a movie, I just want people to understand that I’m not a celebrity trying to use his status to finagle his way into Hollywood, you know? I really want to start from the bottom.
NYT: What about other musician-actors that whose career paths you really admire?
Rocky: I really like the way Pharrell does things. Starting out as a music producer, and then around 2000 trying to rap, to going into doing, like, sing-y songs and really nailing it. That was really impressive. I love what Kid Cudi’s doing, because Cudi is just always on the scene. Movies here and there, short films, big cinema films, Hollywood blockbusters. His music is always good. That’s as far as hip-hop goes, but if you want to talk about in general? Michael Jackson.