Will's says he still loves hip-hop

[bigted]

This is an interview found in Willywood, it's a relief to know that Will still loves hip-hop, so maybe he'll do another album one day, that should calm everyone here down, but on the other hand it's a lil' sad now how another one of my favorite mcs wants to work with 50 Cent:

EDIT: Here's the whole interview:

Media Credit: Google.com

Will Smith's new movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness," premiered in Detroit last week. It will open nationwide December 15.

The premiere of "The Pursuit of Happyness," starring Will Smith was in Detroit last week.

The story is based on real life Chris Gardner, a highly intelligent, very congenial, but marginally employed and down-on-his-luck guy trying to raise a son alone and struggling to survive. It is a story of joy, pain, helplessness, strength, hopelessness and never giving up.

"Happyness" executive producer Mark Clayman saw the story about Chris Gardner on "20/20."

"My wife and I caught this segment about Gardner's homelessness," he recalled.

"There was a scene where he re-visited a bathroom at a Bay-Area Regional Transportation (BART) station with his son and how he used to bathe him in the sink."

"I saw this story as the embodiment of the American dream," said Will Smith. "The concept this country is based on is the hope that any person can create their life from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high."

Smith said that this role entranced him because of his own life as a father and husband.

While here in Detroit, Smith took some time to talk with the Michigan Journal.

Michigan Journal: Why choose Detroit as the city to premiere "Happyness?"

Will Smith: Detroit represents the scope of Gardners' story. This city has a great heart, a lot of life and potential, but is held back for reasons that sometimes aren't its fault. A lot of times, it's due to the bad rep that it has nationally. I felt that we needed to do this premiere - it has to be Deeeee-troit.

MJ: One of the issues that "Happyness" confronts is the state of homeless people. We all have our thoughts of the homeless, but in reality Chris was homeless. Yet he didn't look like the average homeless person. Will your role humanize the plight of the homeless?

WS: That's a great question. I really hope so. Chris wore a suit everywhere he went, even we he was living on the street. Yet, he had no home! Can you imagine that?! This really raised my awareness of a homeless person. Also, black homelessness. It's a real problem in San Francisco, like anywhere else in the world.

MJ: In this role you're dealing with heavy emotional and social issues. Why the stretch?

WS: It touched me as a man with hopes, dreams and fears. I always wondered what would have happened if God didn't bless me with the life that I have now. Could I be man enough to deal with a different life? Taking on his role is helping me answer that question. I went to South Africa some years ago and met Nelson Mandela. He said that I need to focus on the beauty of the human struggle. That struck me deeply.

MJ: What does fatherhood mean to you?

WS: More than anything. My love for my babies deepens every morning I see them. Although they're the most important people in the world, I'm a public figure. So that means I have to exemplify African-American fatherhood. Every day. Gardner exemplified black fatherhood, even when he had nothing. Gardner's story reaches out to all fathers of all races, backgrounds and walks of life.

MJ: Speaking of family, "Happyness" debuts your son, Jaden. Did he always want to act or was this something that you and Jada wanted for him?

WS: You know, Jaden is a funny 'lil man. He wanted this more than me and my wife. He loves amateur acting around the house and everything. When this opportunity came up, actually, Jada and me were against it because we don't like looking like we use who we are to advance our family. But he convinced us. Actually, we just wanted to shut him up. So we took him to audition. It was grueling. So grueling, in fact, Jada got into it with the casting director. We were about to take him out of the running, but we decided he needs to learn about this himself. Let it be his decision. Not only did he make it through, but he got the role.

MJ: How involved was Gardner in the making of the movie?

WS: He was very involved. We wanted him to be; this is his life. He was such a mentor to me; I still keep in touch with him.

for those of you who have no access to this page;

MJ: You're one of the most successful actors in the world. What motivates you?

WS: You mean besides the $25 million per movie, the fly cribs, the fly rides and all of the girls? Naw, naw, in reality, those things are empty, meaningless. I was in Manhattan two weeks ago, and I saw a lady on the phone arguing with someone. She obviously was having a bad day. But when I walked past her a smile just overcame her. I guess she saw something I did. That's what keeps me going. Also, Nelson Mandela. I really want to live up to his expectation of me.

MJ: Are you still a fan of hip-hop?

WS: I love hip-hop and always will. I am hip-hop. Our hip-hop culture is the world's greatest culture because it's the world's only culture, other than sports, that unites every race for one common thing: rockin' the mic and rockin' the crowd. I released a record last year on my Overbrook label and my 'lil 16 year old nephew, K-Smith, will be dropping a CD soon. Me and 50 Cent are working on it. He thinks he can out-rhyme me, but I show him my 19 platinum plaques. Yeah...that calms him down.

MJ: What's next?

WS: I have a movie coming up, called "I am Legend." I'm in a post-nuclear L.A., fighting vampire-like creatures.

MJ: "Bad Boys III"?

WS: Ha-ha, well, the critics didn't really feel, "Bad Boys II," but I don't make movies for them. I make 'em for you. Me and Martin are trying to work it out now.

MJ: On behalf of the University of Michigan, thank you for sitting down with us.

Edited November 23, 2006 by bigted

[KevTastic]

The whole interview is in the Willywood forum.

[WesSyde]

wasn't there just another post about how Will doesnt listen to music anymore because he's been busy studying mythology?? at this point im not taking any article too seriously.

[JumpinJack AJ]

Ugh...i don't know why he would gravitate 2 50 Cent for something like that. I guess since his nephew is younger he's doing for the current sound of commerical rap. 50 Cent wants 2 get involved with as much as he possibly can, and this way he gets 2 work along side a legend.

Thanx 4 posting this...i'll be sure 2 check the interview...but why wasn't it posted here!?!? ha ha

[E - Style-Greesy - E]

This is an interview found in Willywood, it's a relief to know that Will still loves hip-hop, so maybe he'll do another album one day, that should calm everyone here down, but on the other hand it's a lil' sad now how another one of my favorite mcs wants to work with 50 Cent

MJ: Are you still a fan of hip-hop?

WS: I love hip-hop and always will. I am hip-hop. Our hip-hop culture is the world's greatest culture because it's the world's only culture, other than sports, that unites every race for one common thing: rockin' the mic and rockin' the crowd. I released a record last year on my Overbrook label and my 'lil 16 year old nephew, K-Smith, will be dropping a CD soon. Me and 50 Cent are working on it. He thinks he can out-rhyme me, but I show him my 19 platinum plaques. Yeah...that calms him down

The perfect time 4 this post now after the other one where Will mentioned that the music may be in the past...

But on the other hand I don't take the news or articles like that too serious because u neva know if they are true or which ones are true!

Let's wait and see what Will will do...

But I hate the fact that he's working on da album with 50 Cent - unbelievable! 50 Cent is a jerk for me and we all know why...

:mygod:

[Turntable]

This is good news, even tho it's 50 and all. LL prolly hooked them up,lol

[bigted]

As long as Will stays involved in hip-hop I don't care who he works with at this point, btw I put the whole interview here

Edited November 23, 2006 by bigted

[fan 4ever]

Thanx 4 posting...Let's wait and see!

[ash trey]

Ugh...i don't know why he would gravitate 2 50 Cent for something like that. I guess since his nephew is younger he's doing for the current sound of commerical rap. 50 Cent wants 2 get involved with as much as he possibly can, and this way he gets 2 work along side a legend.

Thanx 4 posting this...i'll be sure 2 check the interview...but why wasn't it posted here!?!? ha ha

I don't want to get everyones hopes down but Will Smith's nephew rhyming is on a level below your least favourite rapper...there was a video on youtube posted a while back which proved it...it's not even funny.... :woowoo:

[fan 4ever]

Ugh...i don't know why he would gravitate 2 50 Cent for something like that. I guess since his nephew is younger he's doing for the current sound of commerical rap. 50 Cent wants 2 get involved with as much as he possibly can, and this way he gets 2 work along side a legend.

Thanx 4 posting this...i'll be sure 2 check the interview...but why wasn't it posted here!?!? ha ha

I don't want to get everyones hopes down but Will Smith's nephew rhyming is on a level below your least favourite rapper...there was a video on youtube posted a while back which proved it...it's not even funny....

Yeah I know man..I saw that video...I think most of us saw it...it's when were he was filming insides Will's house!

[Hero1]

"K Smith" sounds like he listens to a lot of 50 :paperbag:

[MaxFly]

"K Smith" sounds like he listens to a lot of 50 :paperbag:

K. Smith >>>>>> 50 Cent...

Pentagon!!!!!!!

[Lerkot]

K Smith sucks alot. I dont want him in the rap game. Actually, I dont think anyone wants him there. He'll probably end up not being there.

[fan 4ever]

Will should be focusing on Kell Spencer!

[J-o-e]

Kel can concentrate on being Kel Spencer, Will can understand that he would want to do things his own way, as for K Smith, well he's only 16, so if he drops a record where 50 cent produces it's something that he would like....I personally dont mind 50, some of the things he does is a bit stupid, but 2 a 16 year old really wanting to get into the rap game, its the perfect way to enter...but I think K Smith should work with Rocafella or Defjam...