{"id":73975,"date":"2015-12-03T15:58:09","date_gmt":"2015-12-03T15:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2015\/12\/03\/exclusive-nick-cannon-talks-spike-lees-chi-raq\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T03:35:51","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T03:35:51","slug":"exclusive-nick-cannon-talks-spike-lees-chi-raq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/exclusive-nick-cannon-talks-spike-lees-chi-raq\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: Nick Cannon Talks Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exclusive: Nick Cannon Talks Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

December 3, 2015<\/p>\n

\"Chi-Raq<\/a><\/p>\n

Coming out this week from Amazon Studios is Spike Lee<\/strong>\u2019s next film, Chi-Raq, <\/strong>which will hit theaters on December 4 as the first-ever Amazon Original Movie produced. Following its Oscar qualifying run in December, the movie, in conjunction with Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate, would officially open after the new year.<\/p>\n

The film stars Teyonah Parris,<\/strong> Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, Dave Chappelle, D.B. Sweeney, Harry Lennix, Steve Harris, Angela Bassett <\/strong>with John Cusack <\/strong>and Samuel L. Jackson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Written by Lee and writer\/director Kevin Willmott<\/strong>, and directed by Lee, Chi-Raq will shed light on the serious, but often overlooked issue of violence in inner city Chicago.<\/p>\n

\"Chi-Raq<\/a><\/p>\n

Beautiful LYSISTRATA (Teyonah Parris) is in love with aspiring Rapper DEMTRIUS “CHI-RAQ” DUPREE (Nick Cannon), but she is disturbed by the bloody warbetween his Spartan gang and the rival Trojans, led by CYCLOPS (Wesley Snipes). After Trojans set fire to her apartment while she’s in bed with Chi-Raq(pronounced Shy-RACK), Lysistrata moves in with her neighbor MISS HELEN (Angela Bassett), a book-loving Peace activist who lost her daughter years beforeto a stray bullet.<\/p>\n

\"Chi-Raq<\/a><\/p>\n

When Patti, an 11-year-old neighborhood girl, is accidentally killed in a drive-by shooting, her grieving mother IRENE (Jennifer Hudson) pleads with anyonewho witnessed the crime to come forward. But even after a reward is offered by a local Church congregation led by fiery anti-gun-violence activist FR. MIKE CORRIDAN (John Cusack), no one is willing to identify the killer.<\/p>\n

\"chi-raq-wesley\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Shaken by Patti’s death and desperate to do something to stop the escalating bloodshed, Lysistrata persuades Spartan and Trojan women to swear off sex withtheir men until the fighting stops. To draw more attention to their cause, she leads the women in a bold occupation of a local armory, inspiring womenacross the city-and eventually the world-to join the boycott. As the ultimate battle of the sexes rages on, the city’s fate hangs in the balance in thissearing satire of gun violence in America.<\/p>\n

For Nick Cannon, this is his first big role since he first came on the film in Drumline over 10 years ago. Although he’s ventured off in other areas from DJing, to hosting various TV programs, and being a father to two kids, his passion in entertainment has been in the film world.<\/p>\n

\"NickIn speaking exclusively with Blackfilm.com, Cannon goes in depth about his character, working with Spike Lee and making a contribution to save lives.<\/p>\n

Can you talk about playing Chi-Raq and what attracted you to it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nick Cannon:<\/strong> Spike Lee came to me with this before I knew what this was about. He wanted to save lives in the South Side of Chicago and I said I’m in. I didn’t care if I was an extra in the movie. To work with Spike has been a dream of mine all my life since “School Daze.” To know that he’s trying to do something to affect the community and raise awareness in our community, I was totally with it. When I found out that he was making a brave artistic choice to take a Greek play that\u00a0was created over 2000 years ago and set it in modern times in Englewood in Chicago was brilliant.<\/p>\n

\"Chi-Raq<\/a><\/p>\n

How would you describe your character, Chi-Raq?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> He’s a passionate brother that’s had a lifelong battle with pain. He’s been afflicted with pain, conflicted with pain, and has experienced it in his own life and harboring it as well. There are so many different things when you think about our communities. When you think about the world, we are crying out in different aspects. I always say, “Hurt people hurt people,” and so for me, when I was getting into the character of Chi-Raq, I was looking for where this brother was troubled and how it happened. Spike helped me along that journey to show young men and women. Sometimes when you think what is being a man or you think what is being tough or strong, really at the end of the day, you’re allowing yourself to be vulnerable.<\/p>\n

\"Chi-Raq<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s your the film being set in Chicago where crime rate in the urban communities are at an all-time high?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> To me, that is truly what great art is all about; where we can raised awareness. We’re supposed to lift up the art and create the discussion in conversations. Spike did exactly that. We were discussing that recently about the horrible things happening in our community. We’re not saying we have all the solutions or the answers, but it begins with a conversation and a dialogue. Folks want to step out and say, “Hey, this is something that needs to occur in order for us not to perish”. I’m honestly honored to be a part of this project because knowing of what’s going on, and not just in the South Side of Chicago, but in many inner cities, it’s no coincidence that the areas with the most violence is where the most disenfranchised folks are living and have the least opportunities.<\/p>\n

How aware were you on the Greek play Lysistrata?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Chi-raq<\/a><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> I was familiar with the play. It was also a story from back in the day where women put a stop to a war through a sex strike. Has overhyped as it may sound, it was something that was done over 2000 years ago. To be able to take a theater approach and apply it to a film in modern times was extremely brave of Spike. I was intrigued by the process of taking the verse and mix it with modern day times and hip hop and spoken word. I had never seen it done in this way and I believe this is the first time anyone has done something like this. When you think of the musical Hamilton that’s currently on Broadway, I think people are taking creative license to be able to tell stories in many different ways and for Spike to choose this way is outstanding.<\/p>\n

Can you talk about working with the cast?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Chi-Raq<\/a><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> It’s such a remarkable cast and it just shows the power of Spike and how much people love him and want to work with him and help bring his vision to others. Everybody came out for him and for me to say I was a part of this ensemble, it’s a blessing and honor to be chosen. This will be one of the projects that I won’t ever forget.<\/p>\n

Did you get in shape for the role?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> That’s a funny question. Everyone keeps asking that. I think I’m already in shape. I work out regularly. I got the opportunity to take off my shirt in the movie but it wasn’t like I was preparing to bulk up. It was perfect timing more than anything. My grandfather always said, “If you stay ready, you never have to get ready.”<\/p>\n

\"Nick<\/a><\/p>\n

Did the rapping come naturally for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> I’m a child of hip hop so I lived this life in many different ways; but what I had to do is tap into the community and tap into the authenticity of these guys who really lived this music. I had the opportunity to work with some phenomenal guys that have so much to say and have powerful voices and are from Chicago. We got together and started making music. I let them take the lead because this is their community and this is their sound and that’s what great musicians do.<\/p>\n

What’s your favorite Spike Lee film?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> One of the most famous movies ever created is Malcolm X. That movie, from the beginning to the end, and I feel that should go down as a national treasure. I’m also a huge fan of everything from School Daze to Do The Right Thing, He Got Game and more. I love all his films, but Malcolm X is one of my favorite films of all time.<\/p>\n

\"Nick<\/a><\/p>\n

This film puts you back in the film spotlight similar to when you did Drumline over 10 years ago. Although you have done other things in the business, are you looking to get back in the film world?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> Yes. Absolutely. You grow in so many ways and I never wanted to be put in a box and I also wanted to set my own path. Just when people think they have figured me out, I turn left. That’s what being an artist is all about. If something is challenging and my spirit leads me to it, I’m going to go with it and ultimately, film and acting is my true passion. I came up doing standup. I love music, I love DJing, I love producing and I love all that stuff, but at the end of the day, it’s about being an entertainer. To be able to speak through film is what I’m excited about. I had the opportunity to star and direct a film I shot in Jamaica called “King of the Dancehall.” That will be my next feature that comes out. I’m back in it in a serious way. I never thought I left film. It’s just that a lot of things in my life overshadow my film work. Now, I’m trying to put film on the front.<\/p>\n

What keeps you humbled when you’re not entertaining?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> My children. My spiritual leaders. My mother. My grandmother. I think I can put life into all of that. It’s honestly the everyday things. I wake up knowing I’m responsible for my children. I have to uphold my mother and my grandmother’s name high. Those are the things that keep me humble.<\/p>\n

Why should folks go see Chi-Raq?<\/strong><\/p>\n

NC:<\/strong> It’s a wonderful art that speaks to our community and considering everything that’s going on in the world, it’s an opportunity for people to stand for something whether the opinion is, knowing that the ultimate goal is to save lives and to be a part of that mission.<\/p>\n

Clip – All Hold Out<\/p>\n