If you weren’t impressed enough by Moonlight star Mahershala Ali, may we recommend you check out his early adventures in rap? Towards the beginning of his full and lauded 15 year career, the actor spent some time creating music under the name Prince Ali. He started rapping when studying for his masters degree in acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and founded his own label, Eye5 Recordings, in 2006. That same year he released Corner Ensemble, following it up in 2007 with Curb Side Service.
Speaking to XXL last year, Ali opened up about his relationship with hip hop, explaining it “definitely had a strong, perhaps the strongest influence on my life.” The year after Curb Side Service came out the Oscar winner got his first part in a major Hollywood film playing Tizzy Weathers in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He’s worked steadily since and acting has remained his focus. Although we personally think he should consider giving music another go in 2017.
Check out more of his music here.
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Text Wendy Syfret
Screenshot vis YouTube