Melle Mel has had a lot to say regarding the state of Hip Hop — both past and present — this time, revealing which rappers he believes were better suited as actors, than rappers.
In the latest segment from his conversation with The Art of Dialogue, the legendary Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five rapper suggested that the secret to becoming a successful actor — much like rapping — is to adopt a persona.
But he didn’t stop there. According to Melle Mel, some of Hip Hop’s legends were better actors than they ever were lyricists.
“I thought 2Pac was a better actor than he was a rapper. I thought he was a hell of an actor — than a rapper,” the Hip Hop pioneer began.
https://youtu.be/-s2AiC5MG1U?t=105
“I thought DMX was a better actor than he was a rapper — because it’s that persona and when you take a guy like that and you put them in front of a camera…”
He continued, “I mean DMX he was a pretty good actor. He could have just stayed within himself and been more dedicated to what he was doing.”
“Method Man he’s a good actor. Ludacris a good actor. Because it’s almost the same thing. If you got a persona it’s almost like you acting anyway,” he added, explaining that a stage persona or personality is much like a character an actor adopts in performance.
“So, when you put that same guy in front of the camera, there you go!” he added. “Mos Def, I thought he was a hell of an actor.”
In a previous segment, Melle Mel reacted to Billboard‘s recent list of the Top 50 Rappers of All Time – where Eminem landed at No. 5 – an accolade he believed he earned solely due to the color of his skin.
“Obviously he’s a capable rapper. If you was talking about sales, he’s sold more than everybody. If you were talking about rhyme style, okay he got a rhyme style. But he’s white. He’s white!,” began Melle Mel, who nabbed the 48th spot on the list.
“So now if Eminem was another n-gga like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a n-gga that could rhyme just as good as him is 35? That had records and all that? He’s 35. He’s white.”
He continued: “And anybody could be as mad … They could feel how they wanna feel. If you don’t think that race plays a part in the equation of how great he is — I heard one of the dudes that’s down with him, Royce Da 6’9″ [Royce Da 5’9″] or one of those – I heard he’s just as good as Eminem. Why he ain’t as big as Eminem? Because he’s Black! Ain’t none of that shit hard to figure out. Eminem gets a top spot because he’s white.”
Following backlash surrounding his comments from the likes of 50 Cent, who told Melle Mel to get the “fuck outta here,” while Fat Joe and Papoose also came to Slim Shady’s defence, the lyricist maintained his stance on the matter by stating he feels a responsibility to uphold the genre.
“We’re responsible for the genre. We’re the biggest influences in the genre, and if you ask anybody that knows anything about true Hip Hop, they will tell you that. If you ask anybody that calls themselves an MC, they will be the first to tell you that there is no modern day rap or Hip Hop of that nature if it wasn’t for Grandmaster Flash, if it wasn’t for the Furious Five, if it wasn’t for Melle Mel, if it wasn’t for [Keef] Cowboy.”
Melle mel is apparently retarded
Yep
DMX was a Horrible Actor.
He did alright in Belly and Never Die Alone but that’s about it
Both Pac and X were horrible actors. I love their music, but they were awful on the screen.
X was a poet on the mic
Of course. And Lord Byron was a poetaster, right?
Melle Mel is in the final stages of dementia. Thoughts and prayers to his family through this difficult time
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
🤣h th🤣ts what it is
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He needs a little bit of straightenin
This dude is clearly bitter that he hasn’t gotten the attention he wants since he’s one of the pioneers of rap. This is why there is a divide between the older and younger generations. Melle Mel has this hating mentality that has no merit. 2pac and DMX are both known for their rap careers than their acting. Platinum plaques, all time sales and their huge fan base is the proof. It’s hard to give flowers to older generation when they’re hating like this.
Today a lot a of people don’t understand that not everyone was feeling this dude. (Tupac)It was his character that stood out which attracted people to his music and there were plenty of mishaps in this carear
2pac was the BEST actor in ganksta wrap!
Lol, neither were that great of actors at all… and Pac and DMX are top 10 to me for different reasons. Pac top 5 for me. Dmx top 10. Actor wise? Probably bot top 100 BLACK actors for me lol.
Lol look at all these white people in the comments getting mad that someone is talking bad about eminem. You stans are a joke.
MM finally said something I completely agree with. [along with while yes Eminem sales did benefit from him being white MM diminishes how dope and how influential Em was/is an emcee and his impact on the culture] Tupac was a better actor than he was a rapper. Tupac was born in NYC, grew up in Baltimore but screaming Westside and these folks out here believing him. I’m not going to argue Pac’s impact on the culture because he is one of the most important and influential of all time. And while a very talented poet and lyricist at times I never bought into his act.
This is starting to get REAL pathetic. They both were 10 times better rappers than actors. PLEASE, someone tell this senile old fool to sit down and eat his rice pudding. Nurse is coming to check your stool sample and then it’s Bingo time in the rec room.
It’s ok Mel thought it would work out for him to get back in the spotlight for 5 like the game and Joe Budden. I mean it worked but how you gonna go after the of the top ten in a 20 year span.
It’s ok Mel thought it would work out for him to get back in the spotlight for 5 like the game and Joe Budden. I mean it worked but how you gonna go after the of the top ten in a 20 year span.
Melle Mel is having a grandpa moment. He is clearly demented, ackin mad senile.
Good lord, everything that comes out of this man’s mouth is bollocks. Guys a moron.
Melle Mel’s foot is so far down his mouth I can’t understand how he’s still talking.
I’m not sure about the acting skills of either but neither were highly skilled mcs to me. Tupac was a better writer. X literally barked on growled over beats.
DMX was average at best. Big Facts.
Nobody cares…matter fact. Who da fuk is melly mel, n why you interviewin him?