Feature : A Double Threat

With Kanye West rapidly becoming the poster child for feel-good hip-hop, it's hard to remember there was anybody doing it before him. But another Chicago-based artist, Common, has been rapping positive messages over hip-hop beats since the early '90s, building a passionate underground following in the process.But when Kanye's popularity started to soar in 2004, the two paired up and started working together. They've been doing it ever since. The team won a Grammy this year for "Best Rap Performance By Duo Or Group," and show no signs of slowing down.

And while Kanye is focused on leading the positive hip-hop movement, Common has started focusing on something else: acting. After supporting roles in "Smokin' Aces" and "American Gangster," the rapper stars opposite Keanu Reeves and Forrest Whittaker in the police drama "Street Kings," which hits theatres April 11.

Q: What was the best part of doing "Street Kings?"

A: To be honest, getting to learn and explore more as an actor and getting to do a character that was very different from me. I learned more about being a police officer, a deputy sheriff specifically because that's what my character was. I learned a lot about the impoverished areas of Los Angeles, which I had never experienced. I went through Compton and Watts, just feeling out the environment. I really gained appreciation for the culture of LA so that was exciting for me to just know, I mean not exciting to see people in struggle, but just to figure and really connect with people here and know that L.A. had that side also. Just to be in tune with that side and observe it meant a lot to me.

Q: What kind of preparation did you do to play a police officer?

A: I went and rode with a police officer around town. We rode through Watts, Compton and South Central for a while and I asked a lot of questions. I did a lot of talking to police officers, asking "What is it like? What made you get into this? What does it take to be a deputy sheriff?" I asked all sorts of questions just to get details on what it would be like to be a police officer so that I could become that officer.

Q: Can you describe your character for people who haven't seen the movie?

A: Coates is this guy who comes from the inner city and became the deputy sheriff and started using that power and his connections in the wrong way. As many of us can do, we get power and we start to abuse it. I don't want to tell the whole film, but at that point he's caught up in a world of darkness.

Q: You have yourself a handful of movies now. Is this something you want to get into?

A: I'm into it man. I love it. It's something I'm very passionate about. I love it as much as I do music. It's something new for me and I'm very enthused about it and I see a long career ahead. I'm praying and believing that I will be one of the great actors in my time.

Q: We are starting to see more musicians acting. Are music and acting closely related?

A: Yeah, they're the arts. When you're an artist you can do different things. You're not limited. At the same token you got musicians that put music out that's ok but not incredible, if you make that transition you want to be incredible at it, at least I do. I'm not doing it just to be like "Hey, I'm in a movie," this is an art that I love. I want to work to become one of the greats. This is a business and I know a lot of studios put artists in movies just because of their name, but I don't want to be a part of any film that thinks like that.

Q: What was it like working with Academy Award-winner Forrest Whitaker?

A: It was great man. I didn't actually have any scenes with him, but to know that I was in a film with him made me feel good. I've watched him since "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." I went up to the set one day he was working just to observe. You can really see his focus. I've been blessed to be around him, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, and all three are very incredible, focused gentlemen.

Q: You're also attached to the films "Wanted" and "Justice League," what can you tell me about those films?

A: "Wanted" is coming out June 27. It stars Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy and is directed by Timur Bekmambetov. This film is one of the freshest, newest films you've ever seen. It's incredible. I've never seen anything like it. I'm excited to be a part of that. My character is the gunsmith. "Justice League," I can't really talk about that yet. I don't have the jurisdiction yet to talk about that (laughs).

Q: You won a Grammy this year. Congratulations. Did you go to the ceremony?

A: I actually didn't go, but I was grateful to get the Grammy. I was in the studio working on something and I said "Man, let me focus on this." I hadn't planned on going anyway, I felt like I needed to take a little break and focus on what I wanted to do. I did what felt natural to me, but I'm grateful that we got that for "Southside," Kanye and I.

Q: Kanye beat you out for "Best Rap Album." Does it make it a little less bitter when you lose to him?

A: Definitely, and this was the second time so I'm like "Alright man, its cool." He makes quality music though so he deserves it. If I don't get it then I'm grateful he got it. I don't feel a rivalry with him or anything because he has always helped build my career. If he wasn't helping contribute the way he did, my music wouldn't be where it is. Of course we have competition as artists. I always want to have the best album, and I'm going to strive to have the best album whether he's producing it or not. Of course I want my album to be better than anybody else's, but overall we're more supportive of each other.