Mahershala Ali is one of the most talented actors of his generation who has shown respect for Hip-Hop music and culture in the past as both fan and participant. In a recent red carpet interview, Mahershala Ali cited the late Kaseem “Ka” Ryan as an inspiration for his latest movie role.
Speaking with CTV’s Etalk, Mahershala Ali, 52, was stopped on the red carpet during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) where a reporter asked about Ali’s role as Latif, a Muslim hit man in the film, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.
Etalk’s reporter asked Ali what a paid assassin would have on his playlist. Immediately, Ali went into his explanation of listening to Ka, in particular, the late rapper and New York firefighter’s excellent Honor Killed The Samurai album.
“I listened to a lot of this album called Honor Killed the Samurai which is by an artist named Ka, and it just felt like it just was the right vibe and tone for this guy, said the two-time Academy Awards winner.
He added, Tntentional, methodical, somewhat a slower pace and vibe. But it has certain energy to it that’s very special. So I listen to that album quite a bit.”
Some might recall that Ali himself emerged as a rapper in the 2000s, recording under the alias Prince Ali and was signed to the Hieroglyphics Imperium imprint.
Hip-Hop Wired wrote an obituary piece with our CRT FRSH segment putting together a playlist of Ka’s music to introduce his work to new listeners. As Ali said, Ka’s music was methodical, even mystical in some respects but grounded by an unspoken ethos of honor, respect, self reflection and steadiness.
Mahershala Ali stars as Latif in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, directed and written by Bassam Tariq.
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