Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Robert Taylor might’ve swapped destinies in 1984, if solely a casting selection had gone in another way. Taylor, eternally etched into Hip-Hop historical past as “Lee” in Beat Road, not too long ago revealed that that the late Warner auditioned for a similar function.
“Humorous half is—God relaxation his soul—however Malcolm-Jamal Warner auditioned personally as Lee,” Taylor instructed AllHipHop. “And you already know who else? Emmanuel Lewis, ‘Webster.’ He auditioned for Lee, too.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner would quickly change into Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Present, because the hit present debuted the identical 12 months because the Harry Belafonte-produced Beat Road. The film is likely one of the first main movies to showcase Hip-Hop tradition on the large display. Set within the Bronx, the film follows a bunch of younger buddies chasing their desires by way of breakdancing, DJing, graffiti and rap. Every particular person should navigate the struggles of poverty and survival in New York Metropolis. Lee was one of many primary, enticing characters.
The revelation reframes the beginnings of each stars. Warner was simply an adolescent with performing chops and a sitcom pilot below his belt. He was Hip-Hop adjoining, showing in rap movies by Whodini. Taylor, by his personal admission, was merely a child who wished to bop. He instructed AHH‘s DJ Thoro and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur he had no clue the audition concerned dialogue in any respect.
“I used to be solely centered on the dancing,” he stated. “That’s all I wished to do. They stated, ‘Congratulations, you guys are the forged of the film. Robert, you’re an enormous a part of the movie. You’re going to play the little brother. Your character’s title is Lee.’”
See The Full, Unique Interview With Robert “Lee” Taylor Beneath. He Talks Being A Reluctant Star, How He Obtained The Position Of “Lee” And The Ups And Downs Of Being A Baby Star.
That title, Lee, wasn’t only a character. His efficiency turned the emotional heartbeat of Beat Road. Even many years later, followers ink his picture on their pores and skin and recite his traces as a part of Hip-Hop’s cinematic canon.
In the meantime, Warner didn’t get a task in Beat Road, but he was on the verge of his personal breakthrough. The Cosby Present debuted later that 12 months, propelling him into historical past. But Warner’s ties to Hip-Hop run deeper than visitor appearances in rap movies
He constructed a profession as a poet, spoken-word artist and MC together with his band Miles Lengthy. His artwork channelled the affect of early Hip-Hop pioneers, talking reality to energy. His audition for Beat Road is unquestionably an enormous “what if” second.
Robert Taylor nonetheless embodies Hip-Hop on the large display and Lee is a personality that resonates with followers greater than 40 years for the reason that launch date. Trying again, Taylor credit one other legend for making all of it attainable.
“Hip-Hop owes Harry Belafonte for producing Beat Road,” Taylor stated. “If it wasn’t for him, who is aware of the place we’d be. That film made us all a part of historical past.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner died in July, a sufferer of a tragic riptide in Costa Rica. Each he and Robert Taylor are heroes within the international rise of Hip-Hop tradition.
