Rapping Actors feat Jharrel Jerome
6/4/202659 min
This week on The Almanac of Rap, Donwill sits down with Emmy Award-winning actor and recording artist Jharrel Jerome for a conversation about hip-hop, storytelling, acting, and the journey toward embracing music publicly. Known for acclaimed performances in Moonlight, When They See Us, and Unstoppable, Jharrel opens up about why rap was actually his first love long before acting entered the picture. From rapping for entry into Bronx basketball games as a kid to studying Eminem lyrics obsessively, Jerome reflects on how storytelling through rhyme shaped the creative foundation of his entire career. Jharrel breaks down: How his upbringing in the Bronx continues to influence his artistic identity. Blending cinema with rap visuals for his four “Pack” EP projects How artists like Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Fred the Godson, and Action Bronson soundtracked different stages of Jerome’s acting career. The emotional toll of filming When They See Us, physically transforming for Unstoppable, and his desire to help bring lyric-driven hip-hop back to the forefront. 🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️ Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more. Substack: New Music Tuesdays Instagram/Threads: @donwill Mixcloud: Donwill Website: Donwill.me Follow Jharrel Jerome Instagram: @jharreljerome Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
Hear the world come to life Now streaming on Paramount Plus. Beth and Rip are back in Dutton Ranch [dramatic music] This life here is gonna work, isn't it? We'll make it work [upbeat country music] Starring Kelly Reilly- A legacy is a beautiful thing, but only if it survives ... Cole Hauser- Let's go to work ... Ed Harris- Family is the only thing worth fighting for ... and Annette Bening.
Lupita Nyong'o· Soundbite0:21
I can make this a lot harder for all y'all Then peace will have to wait Dutton Ranch.
Speaker 10:26
New series now streaming on Paramount Plus [gentle music] Hi, everyone.
Robin Brunner· Host0:36
I'm your host, Robin Brunner, and welcome to the Step Stories podcast. I'm not a therapist or a psychiatrist treating people who are living inside blended families. What I am is someone who's lived it, not once, but twice. My experience as a child and a teenager and as a young adult has had a profound effect on my entire life. It's affected my decisions as a wife and as a mother. Each week, we'll share stories from many different angles in hopes that it might bring some healing, relatability, and positive ideas to make things better for you listeners. You'll hear about families who figured out how to do things well and families who are still working it out. Today's episode is near and dear to my heart. My guest, author Genevieve Kingston, wrote one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It's called Did I Ever Tell You? It's the story of a family, her