COMMON IS SMOKIN’ IN DEBUT ROLE IN SMOKIN’ ACES

Hip hop star Common makes impressive acting debut in Smokin’ Aces.

Chicago based hip hop artist Common makes his acting debut in Smokin’ Aces as the right hand bodyguard slash advisor to Las Vegas magician Buddy Israel played by Jeremy Piven.

Common was discovered by Piven while on tour with Kanye West. Piven was so taken with the MC he brought him to the attention of director Joe Carnahan. Common says he took the risk and postponed the tour for a chance to become an actor.

“I was on tour and I remember rehearsing it in the tour bus and my band members were like, ‘hey you’re doing it pretty good.’ They were surprised that I had got it down a little bit. I went in and auditioned a couple of times and with the grace of God and Joe having his eye on me and Jeremy giving me more support. Like we had met at my show and he was really supportive of me, told Joe that he thought I would be a good guy for Sir Ivy. Basically I went in with my heart and soul and went in the audition and got the role I was jumping up and down man. I had to tell Kanye at that time that I couldn’t be on the tour. It was tough but man this is the movie to be a part of.”

Common describes his character Sir Ivy as having warrior-like tendencies in that he will fiercely protect Jeremy’s character Buddy no matter what. He says it’s a trait he has in common with his character.

“There’s definitely some warrior in me. I fight for certain causes through music, through art and through activism so some of that is in me. I don’t take people’s lives but I take MC’s pride when I need to. I kill it on the mic when I need to some of Sir Ivy is in Common but it was a stretch for me I must say.”

Common is well on his way to an acting career with his next role in American Gangster working with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.