*A$AP Rocky is turning heads with his compelling performance as Yung Felon in Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” earning early consideration for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, according to Variety’s Oscars Prediction List.
In the film, a modern take on Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low,” Rocky’s character, a cunning and ambitious rapper, forms an unexpected bond with Denzel Washington’s music mogul character. Their dynamic has been a focal point of praise.
“Yeah, don’t sleep on A$AP,” director Spike Lee said on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in July. “In this film, Denzel and A$AP go toe to toe.” Lee noted their striking resemblance, adding, “What’s interesting is, even before I got involved with this film, I always thought that A$AP looked like he could be Denzel’s son. There’s a big resemblance. So when you see it on the screen, it adds an element of father and son. Don’t sleep on A$AP. Don’t sleep on A$AP.”
Lee, who has worked with Washington on five films, was impressed by Rocky’s ability to match the screen icon’s intensity. “I’ve done five films with Denzel, and when he’s in a scene with somebody, they just get overwhelmed. He’s one of the world’s greatest living actors. But A$AP wasn’t having that. Toe to toe. I mean, they were going at it,” Lee said.
Rocky, 36, approached the role with confidence. “Nah, I was born for this,” he told Variety, emphasizing his all-in approach. Still, he admitted to being starstruck: “It was like a f—— dream come true. It was difficult to not fan the f— out every millisecond of the f—— duration. It was crazy — it’s f——- Denzel, man.”
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A fan of Washington’s “Malcolm X,” Rocky added, “I’m always gonna be a student and a fan of certain people, and I’m always going to give them their flowers.”
Rocky’s prior roles in films like “Dope” and “Zoolander 2,” combined with his musical contributions to “Highest 2 Lowest,” including tracks “Trunks” and “Both Eyes Closed,” highlight his versatility.
“Highest 2 Lowest” hits select theaters August 22 and streams on Apple TV+ September 5.
