A$AP Rocky Speaks On His Role in 'Dope' and His Interest in Acting
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the Rick Famuyiwa directed film Dope, mainly due to a
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the Rick Famuyiwa directed film Dope, mainly due to a stacked cast of hip-hop artists like Vince Staples, Casey Veggies, Tyga and the fashion killa himself A$AP Rocky. After a successful debut at Sundance Film Festival, it turns out the small independent film actually sold for $7 million, garnering the media and film critic’s attention almost immediately. A lot of that attention has been focused on Rocky and his impressive performance in the film with little prior acting experience. In an interview with The New York Times, Rocky speaks out on his role in the movie, his interest in acting, and artists he admires. Check below for an excerpt and peep the full conversation here.
You were really good in Dope. Is it true you approached the director, Rick Famuyiwa, about being in the film?
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.
How did you find out that you got it?
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’?”
There aren’t many modern movies dealing with hip-hop.
This was the first in a long time! That’s why I had to be a part of it.
Are there any other genres you’d like to explore?
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.
