Sunday, March 05, 2006

It Just Got Easier Out Here For A Pimp


Three 6 Mafia celebrate their Oscar win at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

"Martin Scorsese - 0 Oscars...
Three 6 Mafia - 1."
-Jon Stewart, host of the 78th Annual Academy Awards


I REMEMBER DEBATING with a friend last year about Jamie Foxx's nomination for best actor for his uncanny portrayal in Ray. My friend had all the confidence in the world that Foxx would win in a landslide. I, however, didn't have faith that the Academy would hand over the coveted statuette to a black actor so easily. After dissing Denzel Washington for the award twice (Malcolm X, 1993; The Hurricane, 2000), I was convinced that Foxx would fall victim as well. I figured, if they wouldn't give it to Denzel for his gripping embodiment of Malcolm X, they weren't going to give it to Jamie for playing Ray Charles. Needless to say, I discovered astounding new belief in the Academy. And last night's 78th Annual Awards buttressed my faith even more.

To see an off-the-mainstream-radar rap group like Three 6 Mafia be nominated for an Oscar with a song entitled "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" is just plain cool. To see them perform the song live at the event is cutting-edge. But to see them actually win the coveted statuette is . . . well, amazing! It's clearly yet another instance of how rap music is helping us realize the American Dream. Three 6 Mafia will probably melt down their Oscars to make iced-out gold grills for their teeth, but who cares!


Three 6 Mafia add Oscar gold to their bling.


I had the distinguished honor of interviewing Samuel L. Jackson last summer for LA-based UNleashed magazine, and here's what he said about the Academy's new recognition of black actors:


"I wouldn't exactly say the Academy is coming around to recognizing black actors. I will say that the voting populace of the Academy is getting younger. The older [conservative] members are dying out. Each person that gets nominated becomes a member of the Academy automatically, and the younger members' tastes are radically different from the old guard. So because the new, younger members are more culturally diverse in their experiences, you have a fairer, clearer voting structure among the peer groups."

Jackson also accurately predicted in the interview that Terrence Howard would be the next big thing in Black Hollywood. "Terrence is extremely talented. He did such an incredible job in Hustle & Flow that he deserves to occupy the next big slot in Hollywood."

So let's give it up to the Academy, Intelligentsia! And let's congratulate Three 6 Mafia, Taraji Henson, Terrence Howard, Ludacris, and everyone in hip-hop culture making contributions to Hollywood. The best has yet to come!


Terrence Howard pimp-walks down the red carpet.



Taraji Henson: "You know it's haaaard out here when you're de-LISH!"



Chris "Ludacris" Bridges: Will he soon knock LL Cool J out of the box?



Queen Latifah throws up a peace sign to the fans!



Will & Jada Pinkett Smith: "Baby, we're the GREATEST!" Awww!


Stay tuned, Intelligentsia . . .

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Joel is a New York-based magazine journalist who has penned articles for KING, VIBE, Star, Us Weekly, Black Enterprise, XXL, and GIANT.

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