Mahershala Ali Ditched a Rap Record Deal for Acting

[@BigSheldonTheory]

This guy has so much class and swag. Remy Denton and Cottonmouth are two of the ultimate badasses.

[@Chozin1_76]

hismajesty653 I wish they didn’t kill Cottonmouth off of Luke Cage. The show suffered after he left.

[@BigSheldonTheory]

Marcus Brown Agreed. Diamondback was cringe.

[@Chozin1_76]

hismajesty653 and Bushmaster wasn’t a real Jamaican lol

[@lena23beckham]

hismajesty653, even though a villain, Cottonmouth was the best character in the show. Also maybe because he can actually act, as opposed to the rest 🙄 only watched half of the second season’s first episode of Luke Cage. Luke Cage is a favorite character but I don’t think the actor fulfilled the expectations

[@BigSheldonTheory]

Ella Beckham Sooo, Ella. Can you uhhh, "bend it like beckham"? If you know what I mean ;)

[@Chozin1_76]

One of the best actors of the new generation, his work is impeccable!!!

[@timmycollins2149]

I agree totally.

[@timmycollins2149]

Baby he draw you in and it like you can't leave now that's what I call a performance. Make them mad. Make laugh.make them cry . Make beck for more.

[@Mia7189]

This man is a phenomenal actor. So happy when he won his Oscar.

[@luciano53688]

and he is gonna win another today at 2019 Ceremony

[@TYUSARTERBERRY59]

Can’t wait till he wins an Emmy for True Detective Season 3.

[@ROYAL_REBEL]

Scholarship for basketball, scholarship to study acting, and rap album contract. He could've chosen any and be great at it

[@patriousthefallenknight3185]

this guys gonna be the new blade... lets see how it works for him and fans

[@rajnil_thakur]

Loved Green Book. The scene where the car breaks down on the road and the people working in the fields across is very powerful.

[@83kiarra]

Rajnil Thakur extremely....and what that meant for them to see this dignified Black man being driven by a white man. Someone's granny needed to see that after years of working so hard....needed to know change was coming

[@americanbeauty171]

Yes it was!!!

[@PinkFK2R]

Mahershala is the most classy and badass dude on the planet.

[@NewMessage]

I have a feeling he'd be successful no matter which way he went.

[@micglou]

I'm glad he decides to do acting... we've got enough rappers... too much I'd say. But actors as charismatic as he is, there aren't enough off.

[@sTreek90]

I love the jacket and the shirt combo, he always looks sharp. Whoever is styling him is doing their job well

[@hoagiesandwich]

Anthony anyone know where I can get the jacket!?

[@tee415y510]

He's very stylish without a stylist, too. He won Best Dressed in high school for a reason😉

[@loveaquarius1686]

He has LIBRA Ascendant.

[@CaapriceTube1]

The CLEANEST fade I’ve seen since 1990, and I was born in ‘89 👌✌️

[@gilfordmccormack8140]

Facts

[@83kiarra]

He cuts his own hair ❤️

[@msdaryllgirl]

Talk, sis!

[@nathan2497]

@@gilfordmccormack8140 what kind of fade is that? Looks fresh as hell👌

[@gilfordmccormack8140]

@@nathan2497 High top fade

[@mileslaw]

1:14 That is the cottonmouth laugh right there

[@freelikeyve]

Miles Law scary! Best villain.

[@Sha-Money]

I was just thinking that

[@ariglb]

I love his laugh so much😂

[@kj7682]

I LOVE IT

[@damirzlatkic8134]

damn right it is ! xDD

[@jorge032792]

I swear his laugh @1:17 when Jimmy says "I heard you went by a different name"... for those of you who have seen Netflix's "Luke Cage"... tell me if that laugh isn't 100% Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes??!! Haha, this man has a captivating performance on any role he portrays, truly magnificent actor.

[@kristinagolden6087]

Mahershala is so smooth and elegant like😩i could literally listen to him speak all day long!

[@vexshoemaker3941]

kristina golden You should listen to his HipHop album “Curb Side Service” under his emcee name “Prince Ali”. The man is multi-talented. Dude is better than most new artists in the game today...🏆

[@TCReyes]

Caught an advanced screening of Green Book and it was so good and heartwarming. He might be winning another Oscar!

[@soniaigwe3546]

He did😌

[@ksclaplace]

Oh wow . How dignified is this man . Just effortless swag .

[@micglou]

Very cool dude... and a very good actor, he should be in A LOT more high profile movies. Also his part in Luke Cage was awesome, I'd say they didn't renew Luke Cage because the second season was missing this very charismatic actor giving a very convincing performance. BTW... if Marvel ever decides to reboot Blade... this is their man.

[@Gogoleila]

Nooooo..like cage???not reneeeewdd?

[@micglou]

@@Gogoleila No, unfortunately not deadline.com/2018/10/luke-cage-cancelled-marvel-netflx-mike-colter-cheo-hodari-coker-1202486487/

[@Sumi2379]

Yooo I could totally see him as Blade!

[@sohimashah5098]

Good call.....he would be the perfect blade!

[@oDiiJei]

Welp, looks like Marvel's got their man! B)

[@artepjan]

If you're wondering it's "Ma'her-shal'al-hash-baz" and the possible meaning is "Hurrying to the Spoil" or "Coming Quickly to the Plunder" You're welcome :)

[@adriancooley1819]

Respect to you brotha

[@QueenofWheels]

This man is a manly man.

[@misslday9848]

I could listen to him talk the whole day 😍

[@tshidi129]

Everyday!!!!

[@cnj67]

What magazine has an annual "World's Most Beautiful Man" because this one is my favourite for the front cover.

[@dlg5485]

I love Mahershala's work, he's one of the finest actors in the game today. His character in Moonlight moved me deeply. I can't wait to see Green Book.

[@a5lm_mdk-20]

After watching eternals post credit scene to know his voice and its him😱😱😱

[@Nino1911Brown]

This guy is such an incredible actor. Got interested in him through house of cards and followed him until lately True Detectives. He's truly one of the most gifted actors working nowadays.

[@kc836]

When he said Prince Ali all I heard was "Prince Ali marvelous he Ali Ababbua" from the movie Aladdin.lol... Anywho, he's a great actor* I really want to go see the movie.

[@Hmrh1]

Same!!! 😂

[@PayThePiperr]

K C! You and I both! I was like Aladdin...🤣😂

[@vexshoemaker3941]

Listen to his album on Hieroglyphics emporium. Amazing legendary underground hip hop record label. He’s a very dope emcee and better than most...

[@ayrmendina8314]

That's what I was saying for the past few years to friends of mine! I'm from the Bay - I fully remember when he was Prince Ali and was working with Keith Murray, Planet Asia etc! Really happy to see all his success now. And to those wondering, dude was a pretty good rapper too.

[@vexshoemaker3941]

Hell yeah brother! His album on Hieroglyphics record label is incredible. Dude is seriously a very talented underground hip hop emcee!

[@vexshoemaker3941]

People don’t realize that he is a legit emcee. Audience just starts laughing when Jimmy showed his “Rap album”.... People are clowns

[@user-rf7pu4qy6v]

He's so Charming✨

[@DanBrown96]

So amazing in Moonlight. What a beautiful film.

[@dlg5485]

Yep, as a gay black man who experienced a great deal of hardship growing up, I was deeply moved by Moonlight, to the point where I was still thinking about it weeks later. It was his best work in my opinion, but I suspect Green Book will change that.

[@brucewhite360]

Love him so much!! Such a great actor!

[@thefreshestprince89]

He has a really relaxed and soothing way of talking. Nice pace of speech and everything.

[@vamanosninja4143]

I like his chill outfit.

[@ayoonine]

He played basketball, rapped, and now he one of the best actors of all time.

[@Archelaus_v]

You got to admire how this dude does everything - tv -or film , he has no limits to the characters he plays.

[@radim_spitzer_seascapes]

love this guy! talented actor indeed

[@TheRobflo03bx]

Phenomenal talent! Charming personality 🤙🏼

[@freelikeyve]

He SLAYED the role of cottonmouth. Luke Cage is now canceled, but it was truly trash without him.

[@MrDinFla1]

Imagine being brown and needing a map of places in the South where it was safe to eat and sleep! That must have been 200 years ago!.....oh, wait.....

[@freelikeyve]

MrDinFla1 😔😞

[@lilreeseakathechiraqgrimre1995]

LIES

[@brianmills387]

the whole world now knows that people from the south are very stupid creatures, total inbreds

[@spoonface9698]

I don’t know why they try to embarrass him with his rap videos... I remember listening to him as a kid and I thought he was elevated back then. It makes sense how much he’s evolved. It is only the natural flow of his life to be where he is today 🙏🏽♥️

[@allisonrogers1409]

I just watched Green Book and NOW I know who Mahershala Ali is . Not to be forgotten. Wow.

[@RCmack]

Mahershala was smart for passing up a rap record deal to become an actor. I believe he's a more talented actor than he ever would have been as a rapper.

[@julesmail639]

Such a handsome man..

[@walmartpimp2]

Can’t wait for MCU Blade.

[@GuyWebz]

He’s gonna be an awesome Blade, Blade is one of my favorite Marvel characters I love Wesley Snipes as Blade as well but I am totally cool with Mahershala Ali being Blade in the MCU instead and I can’t wait to see him as Blade

[@koblat5766]

Who's here after they announced Blade at SDCC?

[@maryturkmen1264]

So much class 😊😊

[@mrgangsta135]

I gotta see this movie. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, WOW!

[@mhc12k]

Prince Ali Album: Curb side service Hieroglyphics Imperium Single :The Majors

[@marydsc]

Loved this. Can't wait to see the moviee

[@divyajohn8936]

Is stage presence is remarkable! Truly love the guy

[@msmeya5]

He was also in The 4400!!

[@kellymichaels3568]

What a beautiful name for such a beautiful person and an excellent actor.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

A class act....looking for a lot more from him.

[@Theimmortalmisfit]

He got the “ will you marry me “ army haircut

[@tee415y510]

The Mavericks 😂

[@myfilms999]

Cant wait for True Detective season 3!!!

[@farhanmirza7441]

Love you mahershallah Ali from pakistan

[@ginafriend1690]

Mahershala is so clean and well educated. He even makes plaid look dressed up. Great actor. Loved, Green Book!!

[@triciaclarke4624]

He was amazing in True Detective

[@jungkookseagull8336]

He's Richard from 4400 Series 😂

[@sherristar89]

Omg you right!

[@jungkookseagull8336]

@@sherristar89 Thanks

[@Sophiemn2024]

Great actor!! From Roxanne to Moonlight.

[@alirezaanik]

Ohh the voice 😍

[@sirskorge]

This guy in the 4400

[@KarateWrestler205]

He drops heat for the blade soundtrack as KING ALI

[@mlggamer5296]

Bruh I didn't know he was a rapper? Someone told me in another video when I suggested to WatchMojo Top 10 acting performances by Rappers and they said Prince Ali as one of them. Mind blown!

[@Keyshaw30]

I love this man! Such a fan!!

[@sayakdas4159]

I now get it why he was cast to channel Matthew McConaughey's calm and serious demeanor in True Detective.

[@Angedoescoversongs]

Marhershal makes me so proud 😍 love you my Brotha keep up the good work

[@obiwashere]

“And I went into the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the Lord to me, call his name Mahershalalhashbaz“

[@nurulanizazainudin]

Mahershala is LOVE

[@StewChicken42]

One of my most favorite new (or new) actors out there right now. Along with Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver, these men CAN ACT, BOY! :D

[@kenroycherrington148]

So true!!

[@markensonpierre1601]

He keeps getting better and BETTER as an actor.. So Phenomenal 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Not as a rapper though! LOL

[@himamamo]

Such a respectful man ✊🏾with magic voice 🙏🏾

[@Allagi22]

My favorite character of house of cards was of course Frank Underwood, second favorite was Remy Danton. You could tell there was unresolved history between those two characters from their first scene together, it was a really interesting story line, in many ways Remy was the only one to ever TRULY stand up to Underwood, because he was his best protege. That's where I learned of Ali, and it's clear his acting chops are no joke.

[@DiscClub6]

He really is a class act. Would love to meet him one day!

[@thatgirl-uw3cc]

Also Mockingjay pt1 and 2 ayyyyyyy Commander Boggs

[@Johnged15]

This was a good interview. I got a lot of respect for Mahershala Ali.

[@YouFightLikeACow]

SO EXCITED ABOUT TRUE DETECTIVE

[@estadoagridulce]

I LOVEEEEEEE HIMMMMMMMM!!!!

[@itsdev5157]

That laugh lol Cottonmouth flashbacks

[@nuriahassan2862]

His SECOND OSCAR!! Lemme get some love for Mahersalla Ali

[@tiffgibbs_]

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

[@cavesonify]

He’ll be a good blade in the reboot

[@stalynxavierbangueraleon5000]

Marshala ali exelente actor buenas peliculas

[@CASANOVAPRO1985]

where can i get this "greenbook".... Amazon?

[@michaelunderwood7371]

A remarkable talent! Class act all the way...

[@nathan2497]

Superb Actor 👏👏👏

[@pierce8878]

“Everybody wants to be the king.”

[@hoagiesandwich]

WHERE can I find that awesome jacket?

[@skyejune86]

Great Man

[@baderinwa1]

Monumental talent!

[@noahrenn3477]

probably should have talked about Luke Cage. Cottonmouth was dope. He should've had more time in that series.

[@dsamusic5043]

Morgan Freeman could easily pass the torch to Mahershala Ali as the new age narrator

[@tk4609]

He is a highly excellent actor. I enjoyed wacthing him in Luke. He is a true visionary.

[@ItsMe-hjkg9]

For a second a thought his name is marshal law

[@RobertDGordon]

I’ve been a fan of his since he was on The 4400...

[@trackerdon91]

He used to be a Bay Area rapper and opened up for hieroglyphics. Also he played for St. Mary’s, basketball guard! He was locked down defender!

[@nibbles187]

He was actually signed to Heiros label

[@esuyimer2525]

Jimmy you're the best

[@courtneyn.m.1687]

I loved seeing his performance in Luke Cage on Netflix. Wayyy underrated. Wish they hadn't cancelled it

[@islandgirlruby2750]

Love this great actor.

[@mattj1450]

I'm simple I see Ali I click

I love his laugh

[@maloneaqua]

He’s a true strong meets subtle actor.

[@SFflippinGiant]

OAKLAND IN THE HOUSE

[@FilmCooper]

I'm shot for shot remaking an entire episode of The Office on New Year's day on my channel