The new comedy “Barbershop: The Next Cut” opens April 15 and features Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Regina Hall, Anthony Anderson, Eve and Oscar winner Common. The film is directed by Malcom Lee from a screenplay by Kenya Barris (black-ish) and Tracy Oliver.
The word “respect” means “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements” and that’s how I feel about Ice Cube.
The respect isn’t just about the money he’s earned—although that’s impressive—it’s more about the career opportunities he has provided for a community of gifted craftsman.
Cube’s IMDb list is humbling when you realize how many lives have been positively affected by his success.
On further examination, especially on the producers side of Cube’s empire, I see that he’s kept most of the same core group moving, alongside him, toward wealth.
Mainstream media gets damn near giddy when reporting Black-on-Black crime, rattling off statistics and comparing us to “crabs in a barrel” without actually saying those words. You can almost hear the “tisk-tisk-tisk” and “those people are animals”hissed under their breath.
We are not all trying to keep each other from opportunity. Just take a look at Cube’s legacy.
Breaking down the dollars that have been earned by cast, producers and crew (including the residuals), and then magnifying those opportunities that were made possible because of their working relationship with Ice Cube—in every department—the wealth starts to stack up. That is what economic empowerment is all about.
Cube nurtures. That is why I respect him. Here is what Ice Cube and I chatted about Saturday, April 2, 2016.
AN
What’s your feeling on quality writing? “If it’s not on the page, it doesn’t work?”
IC
[If it’s not on the page] … it doesn’t work at all. It’s like building a house with bad plans. You have to have great blueprints, and then you build.
AN
Were you involved in shaping “Barbershop: The Next Cut?”
IC
Yes, overseeing it, giving notes. But we had Malcolm Lee involved and Bob [Robert] Teitel
and some of the other producers. [They] did a great job and [they] were open to making the changes that we saw fit, and [Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver] turned in a great script. I am proud that they did it and happy that they did it. As writers they are definitely on a roll!
(On Anthony Anderson’s role)
“Black-ish” is a great show. We were grateful that he came to do this movie after being on a successful show like that, and and being a lead actor [on “Black-ish”] coming in and doing J.D. again. Shows how much he really loved the project.
AN
Eve gave you a lovely compliment, commenting on your “big brother” quality.
IC
Yes, I look at her like a little sister, and I am here to make sure she shines. She’s a cool person and I think that she’s talented in music and film. She’s great in the movie and we see [her character] Terry grow up in the movie, which is cool.
AN
In reviewing your credits on IMBD, I was humbled. So many people have careers because you gave them their first shot. How does it feel, Ice Cube, to know the difference that you’ve made?
IC
I feel lucky and blessed. I am happy to have projects that they can shine in. Someone made my career. If it wasn’t for people like Dr. Dre, and John Singleton, I would not be right here. I am never too cocky with it because everybody needs a little help. [They have the talent]. Right place and right time and able [I was able] to recognize the talent that these dudes got, and they were able to just run with it …That’s what I would have done. It’s cool to contribute to Hollywood and contribute to entertainment and not just take from it.
AN
What do you love about being a storyteller?
IC
That I can get these ideas out of my head, and I can give them a physical form, and that people can enjoy them after I’m dead. That’s what I love about being a story teller on this level … that’s a beautiful thing to me.
“Barbershop: The Next Cut” opens nationwide April 15, 2016.