A$AP Rocky<\/a> is having an impressive year, with not one but two notable turns. In Spike Lee\u2019s \u201cHighest 2 Lowest,\u201d the A24-Apple crime thriller that reimagines Akira Kurosawa\u2019s 1963 film \u201cHigh and Low,\u201d Rocky tackles the role of Archie\/Yung Felon, lending street-level intensity to Lee\u2019s characteristically bold vision. He follows that with a supporting turn opposite Rose Byrne in Mary Bronstein\u2019s dark comedy \u201cIf I Had Legs I\u2019d Kick You,\u201d where he plays motel superintendent James, expertly balancing the film\u2019s dark themes with unexpected humor.<\/p>\n\n\tThe three-time Grammy nominee is building buzz not only for his acting but also for his highly anticipated fourth studio album, \u201cDon\u2019t Be Dumb,\u201d set for release in January. Rocky\u2019s chameleon-like ability to shift between genres and tones suggests an actor who understands that less is often more, letting silence speak as loudly as any verse.<\/p>\n
\n\tTyler, the Creator rounds out this year\u2019s standout trio with his role in Josh Safdie\u2019s anxiety-inducing \u201cMarty Supreme\u201d for A24. Credited under his birth name, Tyler Okonma, the 34-year-old plays Wally, a taxi driver and friend to Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet\u2019s titular character, delivering a naturalistic performance that feels effortlessly lived in.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe two-time Grammy winner also is nominated for five Grammys, including album of the year and rap album for \u201cChromakopia.\u201d His approach to acting mirrors his musical evolution: He\u2019s unafraid to be strange, vulnerable and utterly himself.<\/p>\n
\n\tThese performances build on an overlooked legacy of rappers transitioning successfully to the silver screen. Ice Cube made waves in \u201cBoyz n the Hood\u201d (1991), establishing himself as a serious dramatic actor before building a comedy empire. Queen Latifah earned a supporting actress nomination for \u201cChicago\u201d (2002), where she brought showstopping charisma to the role of Mama Morton. Will Smith won an Oscar for \u201cKing Richard\u201d (2021), while Eminem received the original song trophy for \u201cLose Yourself\u201d from \u201c8 Mile\u201d (2002), along with praise for his acting work. Ludacris won a SAG Award as part of the \u201cCrash\u201d (2005) ensemble. Donald Glover took home an Emmy for \u201cAtlanta,\u201d revolutionizing television comedy in the process, and Mark Wahlberg, who began as Marky Mark, earned a supporting actor nomination for best picture winner \u201cThe Departed\u201d (2006).<\/p>\n
\n\tWhat\u2019s different about this moment is the volume of talent making the leap, creating a critical mass that\u2019s hard for the industry to ignore. The stigma that once followed rappers into audition rooms seems to be evaporating, replaced by excitement about what these artists bring to the table. They\u2019re not abandoning music for Hollywood \u2014 rather, they\u2019re expanding the definition of what it means to be an artist today.<\/p>\n
\n\tHip-hop\u2019s brightest stars aren\u2019t just dropping bars. They\u2019re raising them.<\/p>\n
\n\tThis week\u2019s Oscar predictions are below.<\/p>\n
\n\t*** = PREDICTED WINNER
(All predicted nominees below are in alphabetical order)<\/p>\n
\n\tBest Picture
\u201cBugonia\u201d (Focus Features)
\u201cFrankenstein\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)
\u201cIt Was Just an Accident\u201d (Neon)
\u201cMarty Supreme\u201d (A24)
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
\u201cSentimental Value\u201d (Neon)
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cTrain Dreams\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
\n\tDirector
Paul Thomas Anderson, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
Ryan Coogler, \u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
Jafar Panahi, \u201cIt Was Just an Accident\u201d (Neon)
Joachim Trier, \u201cSentimental Value\u201d (Neon)
Chlo\u00e9 Zhao, \u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)<\/p>\n
\n\tActor
Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet, \u201cMarty Supreme\u201d (A24)
Leonardo DiCaprio, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.)
Joel Edgerton, \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d (Netflix)
Ethan Hawke, \u201cBlue Moon\u201d (Sony Pictures Classics) ***
Wagner Moura, \u201cThe Secret Agent\u201d (Neon)<\/p>\n
\n\tActress
Jessie Buckley, \u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features) ***
Rose Byrne, \u201cIf I Had Legs I\u2019d Kick You\u201d (A24)
Chase Infiniti, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.)
Renate Reinsve, \u201cSentimental Value\u201d (Neon)
Emma Stone, \u201cBugonia\u201d (Focus Features)<\/p>\n
\n\tSupporting Actor
Benicio Del Toro, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
Paul Mescal, \u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)
Sean Penn, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.)
Andrew Scott, \u201cBlue Moon\u201d (Sony Pictures Classics)
Stellan Skarsg\u00e5rd, \u201cSentimental Value\u201d (Neon)<\/p>\n
\n\tSupporting Actress
Ariana Grande, \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)
Regina Hall, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.)
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, \u201cSentimental Value\u201d (Neon)
Amy Madigan, \u201cWeapons\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
Teyana Taylor, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.)<\/p>\n
\n\tOriginal Screenplay
\u201cBlue Moon\u201d (Sony Pictures Classics) \u2014 Robert Kaplow
\u201cIt Was Just an Accident\u201d (Neon) \u2014 Jafar Panahi
\u201cMarty Supreme\u201d (A24) \u2014 Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
\u201cSentimental Value\u201d (Neon) \u2014 Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.) \u2014 Ryan Coogler ***<\/p>\n
\n\tAdapted Screenplay
\u201cBugonia\u201d (Focus Features) \u2014 Will Tracy
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features) \u2014 Chlo\u00e9 Zhao
\u201cNo Other Choice\u201d (Neon) \u2014 Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi and Jahyee Lee
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) \u2014 Paul Thomas Anderson
\u201cTrain Dreams\u201d (Netflix) \u2014 Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar ***<\/p>\n
\n\tCasting
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features) \u2014 Nina Gold
\u201cMarty Supreme\u201d (A24) \u2014 Jennifer Venditti
\u201cNouvelle Vague\u201d (Netflix) \u2014 St\u00e9phane Batut
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) \u2014 Cassandra Kulukundis
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.) \u2014 Francine Maisler ***<\/p>\n
\n\tAnimated Feature
\u201cArco\u201d (Neon)
\u201cElio\u201d (Pixar)
\u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cLittle Am\u00e9lie or the Character of Rain\u201d (GKids)
\u201cZootopia 2\u201d (Walt Disney Pictures) ***<\/p>\n
\n\tProduction Design
\u201cFrankenstein\u201d (Netflix) ***
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)
\u201cMarty Supreme\u201d (A24)
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
\n\tCinematography
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)
\u201cNo Other Choice\u201d (Neon)
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
\u201cTrain Dreams\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
\n\tCostume Design
\u201cFrankenstein\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cThe Testament of Ann Lee\u201d (Searchlight Pictures)
\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures) ***<\/p>\n
\n\tFilm Editing
\u201cF1\u201d (Apple Original Films\/Warner Bros.)
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features)
\u201cMarty Supreme\u201d (A24)
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)<\/p>\n
\n\tMakeup and Hairstyling
\u201cFrankenstein\u201d (Netflix) ***
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cThe Smashing Machine\u201d (A24)
\u201cWeapons\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
\n\tSound
\u201cF1\u201d (Apple Original Films\/Warner Bros.)
\u201cFrankenstein\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) ***
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
\n\tVisual Effects
\u201cAvatar: Fire and Ash\u201d (20th Century Studios) ***
\u201cF1\u201d (Apple Original Films\/Warner Bros.)
\u201cThe Fantastic Four: First Steps\u201d (Marvel Studios)
\u201cSuperman\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
\n\tOriginal Score
\u201cFrankenstein\u201d (Netflix) \u2014 Alexandre Desplat
\u201cHamnet\u201d (Focus Features) \u2014 Max Richter
\u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (Warner Bros.) \u2014 Jonny Greenwood
\u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.) \u2014 Ludwig G\u00f6ransson ***
\u201cSir\u0101t\u201d (Neon) \u2014 Kangding Ray<\/p>\n
\n\tOriginal Song
\u201cDear Me\u201d from \u201cDiane Warren: Relentless\u201d (Greenwich Entertainment)
\u201cGolden\u201d from \u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d (Netflix) ***
\u201cI Lied to You\u201d from \u201cSinners\u201d (Warner Bros.)
\u201cThe Girl in the Bubble\u201d from \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (Universal Pictures)
\u201cTrain Dreams\u201d from \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
\n\tDocumentary Feature
\u201cThe Alabama Solution\u201d (HBO Documentary Films)
\u201cCome See Me in the Good Light\u201d (Apple Original Films)
\u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix) ***
\u201cThe Librarians\u201d (Independent Lens)
\u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (PBS)<\/p>\n
\n\tInternational Feature
\u201cIt Was Just an Accident\u201d from France (Neon)
\u201cThe Secret Agent\u201d from Brazil (Neon)
\u201cSentimental Value\u201d from Norway (Neon) ***
\u201cSir\u0101t\u201d from Spain (Neon)
\u201cThe Voice of Hind Rajab\u201d from Tunisia (Willa)<\/p>\n
\n\tTop 5 projected Oscar nomination leaders (films): \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d (14); \u201cSinners\u201d (12); \u201cHamnet\u201d (11); \u201cWicked: For Good\u201d (8); \u201cSentimental Value\u201d (7)<\/p>\n
\n\tTop 5 projected Oscar nomination leaders (studios): Warner Bros. (32); Neon (18); Netflix (15); Focus Features (14); A24 and Universal Pictures (8)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s hard out here for a rapper trying to be taken seriously as an actor \u2014 but that\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[27228,105018,458,146,85,46,3220,6621,8236],"class_list":{"0":"post-179745","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrities","8":"tag-aap-rocky","9":"tag-awards-circuit-column","10":"tag-celebrities","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-il","13":"tag-israel","14":"tag-oscars","15":"tag-teyana-taylor","16":"tag-tyler-the-creator"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179745\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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