Rapper and actor Sticky Fingaz (Kirk Jones) has made his way up the ranks in the entertainment world.
From his humble beginnings in the rap group Onyx, to his groundbreaking roles in films like “Lockdown” and “Clockers,” he’s climbing up the ladder of success, in his role as Grady Ellis in the new UPN ethnically diverse series “Platinum.”
The Famuan spoke briefly with the multitalented artist via telephone about his expectations for the show and his future career goals.
Kanya Simon: Describe your character on “Platinum.”
Sticky Fingaz: My character is smart, charismatic, the life of the party, rich and cunning. He is a ladies man. He can talk his way out of anything … he is in the moment.
Kanya: Are there any similarities between you and your character?
Sticky: There might be a few similarities but we are like two different people; his world is totally different than mine.
Kanya: How do you think “Platinum” reflects the current state of the rap world?
Sticky: I think there’s a million reflections. Mostly everything we do on the show is going on currently. We dibble and dabble into what is going on now. It definitely is eye to eye with the music world.
Kanya: How did you get your role on “Platinum?”
Sticky: The agency sent me to a meeting with the show’s creators. We all saw eye to eye and the character fits me.”
Kanya: What goals do you have for the show?
Sticky: “I think this is an important step for hip-hop and urban shows. I want them [the audience] to stop everything and watch it like the shows on HBO: ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Sex and the City.’ I want this show to have the same effect.”
Kanya: What do you want the audience to get from watching “Platinum,” what should they expect?
Sticky: “It’s going to be inspirational for them. It’s going to control their emotions, it’s going to make them laugh … make them cry. Each character on the show brings so much of themself.”
Kanya: Do you think the show will be depicted as the typical show that stereotypes black culture?
Sticky: “A stereotype comes from the individual. This show is complete … the label is owned by two brothers. People who don’t even like hip-hop will enjoy the show. It has family issues.”
Kanya: To what entity in the music industry would you compare the company (Sweet Back Records) to in “Platinum?”
Sticky: “I would say it has the hype created by No Limit four years ago, the class of Bad Boy when they had Biggie and the record sales that Aftermath generates.”
Kanya: Do you have any plans for music and acting careers?
Sticky: “I am dropping a solo album, ‘Decade,” on my own label OPM (Other Peoples Money). As far as acting I plan to be doing this show for the next ten years.”
Kanya Simon can be reached at kanyasimon@aol.com.