LionsGate recently made an announcement that a film telling the story of Yasuke, a former African slave turned samurai who served under Japanese ruler Oda Nobunaga, was in the works.
Someone putting their hat in the ring to star as the lead is famed New York underground MC C-Rayz Walz. He signed a petition on change.org that makes the case for why he should play Yasuke.
“It is important that Waleed ‘C-RAYZ WALZ’ Shabazz be cast in the role of Yasuke,” the petition says. “We do not want Hollywood to portray this key historically figure incorrectly or in a bad light – Forest Whitaker should be cast as the Father of Yasuke, and Rae Dawn Chong as the Mother – but only C-RAYZ WALZ can bring Yasuke to life/light & portray the Original Asiatic Samurai.”
At the time of publication, only 37 individuals have signed up in support.
Though Walz has worked with the likes of Aesop Rock, Killah Priest, Kosha Dillz and Immortal Technique, his acting resume is a little on the light side. According to his profile on Internet Movie Data Base, he has only one film role in Hip Hop Brother.
The change.org page has the trailer for an unreleased film titled Crime, which can be viewed below.
Then again, maybe Lupe Fiasco has a shot following this Instagram post.
How about let a good Black actor do the role. Yasuke is a historical figure, lets treat this movie with some respect and not make it some shit to boost a rapper’s spotlight for no good reason. I like C-Rayz, but this is a dumb move.
No
the first samurai was black? fuck outchea wit dat bullshit mane.. next you are gonna tell us the first man in space was black lol
R.I.F.- Reading Is Fundamental
i think u read it wrong. it’s not saying the 1st samurai was black; it’s about the first black samurai. like obama was the first black president doesn’t mean the first president was black.
i think u read it wrong. it’s not sayin the 1st samurai was black; it’s about the first black samurai. like obama was the first black president doesn’t mean the first president was black.
Knowing Hollywood, they’ll probably just give a white guy the role.
Hahahaha!!!! I was JUST reading this article on Whitewashing in Hollywood bc of Ghost in the shell. So seeing this comment made my day!
Not after Ghost in the Shell just bombed.
Ok, so? I want to be naked in a hot tub with Kate Upton. We all have dreams, where’s my article
Black Samurai?? Cant wait for the Culture Vulture Comments. Or can a black man not be a Culture Vulture??
Black man cant be racist. So how could he be a Culture Vulture?
It’s based on a true story dickhead. You can’t be too bright
So?? White Rappers Careers are based on reality too still people call them Culture Vultures. You the one who is not really bright. A Black Samurai is a Culture Vulture. Still black people seems to not realize that. Its funny that you b*tch all the time about Culture Vultures but ignore this obvious case. LMFAO
Damn you are salty about being white.
Wesley Snipes is the best person to play this historical figure.
George Lopez should get the part yo
yeah fuck acting skills they just need to hire some larping black man who watched Ghost Dog a bit too much smh
thanks for telling us this cat a rapper. we only listen to that trash on trash garbage you deem popular. next time give us a full bio if said individual isnt a daily name in the ‘news’ business.
First? Did they forget about Ghost Dog or are they talking about a ” more traditional samurai?”
Black Samurai?? More like Culture Vulture
there’s a name i ain’t seen in a minute… def jux.. rawkus records
check his new music out at crayzwalz.bandcamp.com
Peace and Love