BSL: You have worked alongside some heavy-hitters in the industry. Who are some
individuals that you would like to work with musically and in films with?
WHITE: I would love to work with Pharrell. We are pretty good friends. I would like to work with
him in the studio. I would like to work Don Cheadle. He is one of the most underrated actors.
He’s incredible. I may be working on a film with him this summer. And of course, Dr. Dre.
Everybody wants to work with Dr. Dre.
BSL: You are featured in possibly one of the most anticipated films of 2009, Notorious. I know
you can’t say too much about it. What made you want to be in this film?
WHITE: Biggie was one of my favorite rappers of all time. Something about him gravitates to
my spirit. I always pumped his music. When I found out they were doing this movie, I knew it
was something I wanted to be part of. Whether it was just a one line or just walking by, I knew I
had to be part of it. I knew it was gonna be a classic. Luckily, I got approved to have one of the
lead roles. I play D-Roc. The script is great. The director, George Tillman is incredible. He is
one of the best directors out. He is really an actor’s director. I have a very strong cast
surrounding me. There’s Scarface, Menace II Society and now Notorious.
BSL: Is it more difficult to play a real person than a fictional one?
WHITE: Yes. Yes. Yes. I played Tupac Shakur in the play The Seventh Son. It’s challenging
because people have their own impressions of that person. So people who actually know the
person, know what they look like in the morning, know what food they eat, know how they wear
their clothes. They know that. You have to simulate that situation and emulate so that it can be
seen in the proper light on camera or on stage. Some people are not as flamboyant or
interesting on stage so you have to add that to it. Then you have to appease the director.
There are a lot of variables. It’s really hard especially when someone is still alive. I don’t want
D-Roc to come out and punch me in my face and say I’m not doing him justice. I’m getting a lot
of great feedback from Biggie’s mother and some other people on the set. I feel confident but
you never know how people are gonna take it. If they’re dead, I don’t have to worry. Like I don't
have to worry about Tupac. He might haunt me a little bit..
BSL: He might fly back from Cuba and say that’s not me. (laughs)
WHITE: Yeah, I saw that dude last week in Wal-Mart but anyway…(laughs)
BSL: Your next project involves you creating and producing your first series and it’s an
animation. Tell me more about that.
WHITE: It’s called Beef Board. It’s kinda like Celebrity Death Match, mixed with the Enquirer
mixed with the Boondocks. We already got a few people attached. Sway, Affion Crockett who
is also from Fayetteville. My co-producer, Carl Jones, one of the producers from the
Boondocks, he is also from Fayetteville. So, we got a strong Fayetteville connection. It’s a hot
project. It’s a matter of who and when we’re gonna do it.
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INTERVIEW: DENNIS WHITE: CAROLINA'S MENACE cont...
THE BLACK SPOTLIGHT
Shining A Light on African American Entertainment & Culture