By Kofi Outlaw
According to MTV news rapper Beanie Sigel recently auditioned for the lead roll in what is sure to be the ‘Big Poppa’ of all biopics, playing the notorious one himself, late rap-legend Biggie Smalls.
“Yeah,” Beanie smiled, while sitting in the Def Jam offices…describing why inspired him to go out for the part. “The fact that I’m a hug Big fan from the gate is why I did it.”
The volatile rap star is no stranger to the silver screen, having starred in the urban crime drama (nicest way I can describe it) STATE PROPERTY in 2002 and its sequel (because we all needed to see one) SATE PROPERTY 2 in 2005. As an ardent fan of the late Big, Sigel hopes to bring authentic street sensibility and the necessary amount of rough edge to the role of Biggie.
“To me, dudes like Big and Pac…are special...” he said. “You don’t f— with [their] legacies. I wouldn’t do [the movie] just to say I played the role. I don’t know nobody else in the rap game who could do it and pull it off, as far as who you believe, who’s lyrical enough and fits that image. If I’m watching that joint, I wouldn’t just want to see an [ordinary] actor. Some people might feel some type of way to see Beanie Sigel [playing] Biggie, I don’t know. But I’d love to have a shot at it.”
While Sigel’s “acting” has been shoddy at best in the past, still, there’s a very short list of actors I’d like to see filling the shoes of “the livest one from Stuyvesant.” It pretty much boils down to either Sigel, Anthony Anderson (a generally underrated actor,) or this dude nicknamed “Biggie” who I met one Thanksgiving in the Bronx, while hanging out with one of my older brother’s many girlfriends. They called that guy Biggie because he looked exactly. Like. Biggie. Smalls. Down to his complexion, hefty girth and lazy right eye. If I can find that guy again, it’ll be a wrap for Beanie Sigel or anyone else hoping for the role. But I digress.
No word yet on whether Beans got the part, but the ever-confident rapper is keeping his fingers crossed.
“You know how they say in Hollywood; ‘Don’t call us, we’ll call you.’ We’ll see. But if I was to get it, I’d love it.”
We’re sure you would Mr. Sigel. In the meantime, rant and let us know which actor (or random acquaintance from the Bronx) you would like to see portray the Notorious B.I.G. on film. And sorry ladies, I’m pretty sure this one role Will Smith will have to pass on.