@KanyeWest @jayz @oprah
For centuries (well at least it seems that way) every rapper and his momma has thought that they could act and subsequently tried their hand at the craft only to instantly condemn their film of the dreaded “straight to DVD” status.  While some like LL Cool J, Will Smith, Mos Def, Queen Latifa and a very few others have succeeded the scrap heap of Nas‘s of the world is far more expansive.  So we knew it’d only be a matter of time before Kanye West would get board of making clothes pop up in a film somewhere.

But instead of being type-cast as himself or a character similar to it, Kanye revealed earlier this week that he’s throwing his hat into the ring for a supporting role as a homosexual member of a gay jazz band in 1939.  The film it would appear is projected to be a good one as its script has already received 9 awards and not in the same vain of the stereotypical hood flick most rappers pop their cherry with.  In that script however, there is an explicit gay sex scene written for Kanye’s would-be character.

The film is being funded by the entertainment conglomerate responsible for the Broadway smash hit, Fela consisting of Will Smith, Jay-Z and Oprah and is rumored to be a $20 million project.  So assuming this isn’t just another one of Kanye’s publicity stunts to draw attention to himself this would place the spotlight of the entire entertainment world not just Hip Hop squarely on his back.

A rumored film of this magnitude could be a big deal but with Kanye mostly thinking about himself I’d doubt he’s firmly grasped the responsibility such a role would carry. While of course the much cooler enterainment blogs are probably chuckling about Kanye “coming out the closet” with this role, we’re talking potentially red carpet worthy type stuff here.  So if it flops it could be a huge disappointment and a waste of a lot of very rich folks money.  While Kanye has been rumored to be gay for quite some time now and who knows if he really is…it doesn’t matter.  Playing a gay role isn’t easy…even for a gay actor especially if he’s not fully comfortable with admitting so in the public eye.  For this to be his first official acting role is quite a stretch and one I’m eager to keep a close eye on.  What are your thoughts?