A$AP Rocky Reveals Denzel Washington’s Listening Habits
Actor and rapper A$AP Rocky has revealed that Hollywood icon Denzel Washington is more tuned into today’s hip hop scene than many might expect.
In a recent appearance on The Run Through with Vogue, Rocky shared a behind-the-scenes moment from the set of Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee’s upcoming crime drama. According to Rocky, Washington frequently arrived on set listening to contemporary Memphis rap.
“Denzel would pull up to the movie set playing Pooh Shiesty and Moneybagg Yo, swear to God. Can’t make this up,” Rocky said, clearly still amused by the experience.
The rapper went on to explain that the Oscar-winning actor even quoted lyrics from NLE Choppa. “He likes to listen to Memphis rappers, but modern Memphis rappers,” Rocky said. “Then he started quoting NLE Choppa. I’m like, ‘You know NLE Choppa?!’ He like, ‘I don’t do drive-bys now, walk ’em down.’ I’m like, ‘Yo, Denzel, chill!’ It was crazy, he’s really tapped in, man.”
Highest 2 Lowest marks Rocky’s most prominent acting role yet, starring alongside Washington, Ice Spice, Jeffrey Wright, and Ilfenesh Hadera. The film’s trailer recently debuted, and it’s set to hit theatres on August 22 before arriving on Apple TV+ on September 5.
Director Spike Lee said he was inspired to cast Rocky after stumbling upon internet memes comparing him to a young Denzel. “What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram, four or five years ago, and people were saying that A$AP looked like he’s Denzel’s son,” Lee shared in an interview on 7PM in Brooklyn. “I seen those memes, and then in the film we used that.”
Lee also praised Rocky’s performance, suggesting his acting skills may be just as compelling as his music and fashion credentials.
