Ever since I’ve been in the music business I’ve always felt that the movie and book publishing business were its first cousin. For every group of 20 demos I’ve heard, at least 1 screenplay or manuscript has never been far behind.

My plunge into the movie business came in 1996 when I had the privilege of being Method Man’s agent of record for the movie Copland, starring Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone. I will never forget those long hours on the movie set. You know, the top of the building scene. For the legions of you who are now going to race out and rent Copland or watch it on cable (it’s on Encore this month) I won’t spoil the outcome.

What I learned from that experience was the culture of the movie business. The etiquette of being on a set, the power that a director and studio wields and the discipline and punctuality (not a strong suit of the rap world – recording sessions, photo shoots, or videos) that is required to gain a reputation as someone people want to work with in the business.

Around this time, as opportunities poured in, Meth, Mook (President of Wu Tang Management) and myself had a meeting with Lyor Cohen at Def Jam. He repeatedly warned us about how forgiving the movie business was and that the habits and customs of the music business simply would not work in the film industry.

To his credit, Method Man was excellent. He was committed, a student of the craft, and his people skills were incredible. He also wasn’t afraid to shed his rap street image and try new things. It is these traits – more than the fame that rap gave him – that made him an acting success.

Not a week goes by now that I don’t hear of someone in Hip-Hop making a move (or strongly considering) to film and broadcasting. The motivation is usually clear – opportunities in the music business are closing down rapidly and people are being forced to make a change just in order to maintain their lifestyle and income. This is fine, as entrepreneurship by necessity is how most businesses get started, and in a recession too.

And the rap to film switch is logical as much of the investment in equipment and talent can cross over well. Obviously, for example, one can see why a person who has made rap videos for years would like to produce or direct shows, documentaries and movies. And sure, a rapper is ‘acting’ while in a music video, doing shows, and even in interviews.

But I wonder if everyone who is contemplating the move from music to movies is respecting the game (the movie industry) for what it is.

As a business economist, I can see changes in the world of intellectual property, broadcasting platforms, content, advertising and subscription (pay-per-view) models that are affecting the winners and losers in the new environment of creative content and it is not hard to see that only the strong will survive.

In order to get a nice introduction on this and weave it into the Hip-Hoppreneur ™ worldview, I reached out to my closest advisor on all things Film and TV related – Eric Canada. What makes Eric unique is that he understands both worlds – music and movies having been a major player in advising record labels, artists, DJs, and retail store owners, in the last decade on how to read how the streets were impacting the music people liked and why units were moving or not.

His promotion skills were some of the very best in the business, and on a personal note he was the co-executive producer with me of ‘The Streets Are Political’ mixtape, which The Source magazine made Mixtape of the Month in 2004 (to this day he and I insist we introduced the executive producer tag on mixtapes!)

As successful as he was in music, Eric’s real passion and area of expertise is in Film and TV. He has worked on the set of more reality shows, music videos, movies and documentaries than I can count. He’s also consulted on and produced some nice short films. This Summer Eric successfully completed the prestigious UCLA Film School Producer’s Program (http://www.tft.ucla.edu/) and his finger is on the pulse of the latest trends, including the the Internet’s impact on Film and TV.

To get to the bottom of the question of whether the film game is the new rap game we recently had a building session:

Cedric Muhammad: What is the main difference between the rap game and the film game?

Eric Canada: The Main difference between The Rap Game and The Film Game is Demographics. When a Rapper is stepping into the booth 90 percent of the time they’re thinking to themselves that they’re either doing this song for the radio or for the streets. When you are making a film there are so many different genres to consider – from action films all the way to comedies and then once you’ve passed that stage you still have to break it down even more, in terms of whether this a comedy for men or women? Or is this a romantic comedy or is it a family comedy, etc.

Cedric Muhammad: Do you think that cats in the music industry and on the streets (rappers, video producers and the old street DVD/documentary makers) who are putting music down, to move into film-making are prepared for the transition?

Eric Canada: I don’t think that a lot of people transitioning into the film world respect it for what it truly is. Film-making is an art and science and if you are going to be successful at it you have to study and respect the art and science. I’ve heard up and coming rappers on street DVDs Freestyling and battling, whose rhymes were mind blowing but at the same time, that rapper might not be able to make a hit record because they may not be able to count bars or they may not know how to write a hook. And they definitely couldn’t make a good album. The same goes for Film-makers. You can be the greatest Hip-Hop or R&B video director in the world and make a horrible film because you don’t know how to properly write a script or how to cast for film as opposed to casting for a video.

Cedric Muhammad: Where do you see the Internet fitting into all of this?

Eric Canada: I think a lot of people downplay the power of the internet. The internet is a form of worldwide marketing and distribution. No other media source offers you what the internet offers you. The internet is so big at this point that you have youtube videos that have more views then TV shows.

Cedric Muhammad: Could you break down the place of the major cities in the Film and TV world? I hear Atlanta making noise of late – where do they fit in? And what about New York and L.A.? Is there a shift away from Hollywood?

Eric Canada: Right now I would have to say Atlanta is going to be the next big thing when it comes to film-making. A lot of people are moving to Atlanta for its way of life and there is a great creative energy in Atlanta. In 2010 Atlanta reminds me of the Harlem renaissance in its early stages. I think we will see some big things come out of Atlanta in the future. New York will always be a big city for film-making just because the scenery in NY is like no place else in the world. As far as Hollywood I don’t believe anyplace will ever take the place of Hollywood. Just the word ‘Hollywood’ alone makes you think of A-list actors, Big name celebrities and Big budget films.

Cedric Muhammad: What rapper has had the best career in Hollywood (in front of and behind the camera)?

Eric Canada: Hands down Will Smith has changed the game when it comes to the transition from rapper to actor. You can easily say that he is the biggest movie star there is right now. Another rapper that made the transition but never had a chance to live up to his full potential was Tupac. I don’t think Tupac would be on Will Smith’s level as far as image but I could have seen Tupac being nominated for an oscar at some point in his career. As far as rap’s new generation I would have to say Nicki Minaj would be my pick to be the next big thing if she ever decided to make that transition from rapper to actor.

Behind the camera, I think it’s F. Gary Gray.

Cedric Muhammad: What do you think of 50 Cent’s moves so far?

Eric Canada: I look at what 50 has done in such a short period of time with his rap career and you can obviously see how talented a business man he is. I believe once he has learned to master the film game the way he mastered the rap game then he will become a powerful force in Hollywood. I think the key to 50’s success in Hollywood is for him to put the guns away on screen. The one thing about film compared to rap music is film is not about keeping it real, matter of fact the further from reality the better. People pay $10 for a movie to escape reality. Seeing 50 Cent on the screen holding a gun no matter if he’s a soldier or a cop or a hitman is too close to the realities of his music. I think people need to see 50 in a whole new light when it comes to film. He needs to take on roles in films like a romantic comedy or something along those lines.

Cedric Muhammad: What do you think of RZA’s moves so far and the recent LA Times article on him (‘RZA’s New Rap: Filmmaker’ – http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/03/entertainment/la-ca-rza3-2010jan03)?

Eric Canada: Through hip hop and the Wu-Tang, RZA has already shown the world his creative genius and I believe through film the RZA can show a whole new level of creativity. RZA has studied film-making from some of the best teachers that Hollywood has to offer. He has shared the screen with everyone from Denzel to Adam Sandler and he has also worked closely with Quentin Tarantino. I believe similar to 50 Cent, that The RZA needs to shed his hip hop persona and do a total 180 degree change. He needs to show his hip hop fans something new and something different then what they’re use to hearing in his music and seeing in his videos. This is an opportunity to take his fans on a whole new ride while gaining new fans along the way.

****

I hope that everyone investing their hopes, money, time and energy on a ‘new’ career in film will take heed to what Eric is saying. It could make for success or failure. I think it wouldn’t hurt to have an Independent Film Producer and Consultant like him on your team.

I wish I could help you, but I have to keep it one hundred percent real with you – my film career ended with Method Man on the roof of that building.

Those who would like to go further with their acting, script-writing, and film producing and directing can contact Eric directly at: moviebiz101(at)gmail.com.

So, is the rap game the new film game?

It’s still too early to tell.

But a lot of folks sure think so.

Cedric Muhammad is a business consultant, political strategist, and monetary economist. He is also a former GM of Wu-Tang Management and a Member of the African Union’s First Congress of African Economists. He is author of the book, The Entrepreneurial Secret (http://theEsecret.com/). His talk show, ‘The Cedric Muhammad and Black Coffee Program’ can be viewed every Wednesday from 12 to 5 PM EST (USA) at: http://www.cedricmuhammad.com/media/. He can be contacted via e-mail at: cedric(at)cmcap.com

Andre Berto Pulls Out of January 30 Unification Bout

Earlier today, Haitian welterweight titlist Andre Berto officially announced his withdrawal from his highly anticipated showdown later this month against Shane Mosley.

Berto released a statement today acknowledging that he lost several family members in the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake last week, in addition to learning his sister and niece are now homeless.

Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood. I lost several family members to the earthquake and after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi and her daughter, Jessica survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents’ eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home.As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and therefore I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout on January 30. Throughout the past six days, I have received an incredible outpouring of support, and I sincerely appreciate everyone’s prayers for the people of Haiti . I hope that everyone will continue to keep the Haitian people in their thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild this proud nation.

The rebuilding of Haiti is not something that will happen overnight, but I am fully dedicated to helping the Haitian people recover from this catastrophic event.

The bout would have been Berto’s biggest as a professional, and I completely understand his reasons for stepping down. For all its physical brutality, boxing is an acutely mental discipline that requires 100% focus. With what’s transpired in his family that is impossible.

The most immediate example I can think of is Carlos Monzon-Rodrigo Valdez I, where Valdez decided to go through with the contest despite his brother being shot the death a week earlier. As a result, Valdez was listless and lost a one-sided decision.

On behalf of the entire AllHipHop.com staff, I would like to let Andre Berto know our prayers and support are with him and his family.

Mayweather-Mosley, Anyone?

If you’re in camp Mayweather, you may feel like you’ve received a belated Christmas gift.

After the collapse of his negotiations with Manny Pacquiao last week, Floyd Mayweather was left with a still open PPV date of March and no dance partner. To compound his misfortune, Manny Pacquiao immediately took a gamesmanship lead by securing a Top 5 ranked welterweight in Joshua Clottey for the same March 13 date. With all the other welterweights either locked up fights (Berto-Mosley), or licking their wounds (Cotto, Margarito), Mayweather was left with assorted list of junior welterweights (Timothy Bradley, Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell) and a decent junior middleweight (Kermit Cintron) to choose from.

Now with Berto gone, Mayweather can shut down any big interest in Pacquiao-Clottey if he can come to terms with Shane Mosley for the March 13 date.

Even now, the net is going crazy about the potential. As noted in my interviews with Mayweather and Mosley, there’s a heated rivalry between both men going back to the late 90s. Both regularly accuse of each other of ducking. Now, each of them can put that talk to rest in a big money showdown.

There will be the issue of the January 30 date. HBO boxing dates are rigid and sparse. The network, having already invested money in promotion and locking down the Mandalay Bay venue, may still try to push to have Mosley fight a substitute on January 30. Of course, if that happens it won’t be Mayweather, and Shane wouldn’t be able to fight again so soon.

They may take a loss now, but I have to believe HBO will see the biggest dollar signs in March and allow the date to just be a wash, and move forward with Mayweather-Mosley. HBO has not confirm their participation in the Pacquiao-Clottey PPV, which leads to speculation maybe they knew the Berto announcement was imminent.

The rivalry aside, there’s also the intrigue of who benefits the most from the recent turn of events. You can argue that Mosley is already in shape, and the extra weeks will just serve to make him sharper against a man he spent the majority of last year calling out.  For Mayweather, you can point out that by the time March hits, Mosley will have been out of the ring for over a year. Plus, you can’t ignore the mental breakdown. Shane will have spent the last several months preparing for Berto’s style, to now having to do a complete 180 in planning for Mayweather.

I was looking forward to Vegas later this month but I will cancel my hotel reservations to see Mayweather-Mosley in March. How long has boxing been waiting for this fight? Take a look at the cover below and check out the publication date.

Jones-Hopkins II Confirmed for April 17

17 years after their first fight, Roy Jones, Jr and Bernard Hopkins will finally lock horns.

Golden Boy has announced that the two aged legends will complete their rivalry on PPV  live from the Mandalay Bay.

In December, Jones was TKO’d in one round by Danny Green. Hopkins, coming off a one year layoff, took a pedestrian decision from Enrique Ornelas.

Pacquiao and Mayweather should take a long look at this entire saga. When they had the boxing world’s attention following Hopkins’ knockout of Felix Trinidad, their egos prevented them from coming to terms. Now with Jones 41 and Hopkins 45, this fight is all but meaningless. Manny and Floyd are following the exact same script, believing in their minds their primes will be forever and the public demand for the fight will always be there.

Hopkins likely sees this as an easy payday, and a chance to avenge a loss to a guy who belittled him over the years. For Roy, he has no leverage following the embarrassing loss to Green.

For what it’s worth, Roy Jones’ career as an elite fighter ended in 2004 when he was shattered by Glen Johnson. We’ll see in April if their names still hold weight with casual fans.

Amir Khan Signs with Golden Boy, Malignaggi Not Impressed

Newly crowned WBA champion Amir Khan will look to make an impact in the United States via his signing with Golden Boy Promotions.

Khan bounced back tremendously last year from a 2008 1st round KO to Breidis Prescott by defeating Marco Antonio Barrera in March, Andreas Kotelnik in July for the WBA title, and Dmitriy Salita by 1st round TKO in December.

“Amir Khan is one of the most talented fighters in the world at any weight,” Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya stated. “That talent, combined with his charismatic and outgoing personality, makes him a promoter’s dream, and I feel will one day lead him to being the face of boxing.”

WBO champ Paulie Malignaggi doesn’t share De La Hoya’s sentiments. In an interview with boxingscene.com, the outspoken Brooklynite explained he’s willing to face Khan should be fulfill his obligations against mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana.

“I’more more of a star in England than Amir Khan is in the United States,” Malignaggi boasted. “I’m not saying I’m a star in England and Khan is not a star heer but if you compare our notoriety, I’m more known in England than Khan is known in the United States. I think I fought the higher caliber of opponents overall. All of the fighters who beat me are former champions and the guy that beat him, Breidis Prescott, nobody knows who he is. I think Khan is a solid fighter but what’s right is right.”

“If HBO puts up the money and give me the date, I’ll fight Maidana right now. People think just because you can punch, that it means you can fight, but that’s not the case. I’m up for fighting Amir Khan, and I’m up for fighting Marcos Maidana.”

At press time, Khan is negotiating terms for his defense against Maidana.

Jermain Taylor Pulls Out Super Six Tournament

Last week, former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor made choice that many great fighters have been unwilling to do.

He decided to put his health and family first.

In light of the recent damaging back to back 12th round knockouts to Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham, Taylor has elected to withdraw from Showtime’s World Boxing Classic.

I’m going to take some time off from the sport of boxing and take myself out of Showtime Sports World Boxing Classic tournament. It’s important that I give my body and mind some much needed rest, because I have been boxing for nearly 20 years. I plan on keeping myself in shape and making a return to the sport sometime in the future.  This was not an easy decision for me, having discuss it with my family, trainer, friends and my adviser Al Haymon, because I’m a very competitive person-but I know this is the smart road for me to take. I want to thank Showtime Sports for everything and I wish the best for my 5 counterparts who will continue on in the Super Six tournament. Most of all, I want to thank the many fans for their continued support.

Taylor was scheduled to face new WBA Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward on April 17.

For all of his faults as a boxer, Taylor has fought nothing but top ranked fighters since beating Bernard Hopkins for the belt in 2005. His brain has suffered immense trauma in his recent fights, and boxing should be the last thing on his mind at this time. Take all the time you need, Jermain.

A replacement has not been announced, but the leading name is Allan Green. There has been no word if Showtime has reached out to Lucien Bute.

Notes

–          Z “The Dream” Gorres is on the road to a successful recovery following brain hemorrhaging and collapsing in the ring following his November fight against Luis Melendez. Doctors forecast that he will be able to go home by mid-February, and make recovery of feeling on his left side in six months.

–          Vanes Martirosyan (27-0,17 KOs) retained his undefeated record with a unanimous decision over veteran Kassim Ouma. Scorecards read 97-93 twice, and 97-92.

–          For his comeback, Ricky Hatton is eyeing a rematch with IBF champion Juan Urango

 vs.

Throwback Mythical Match of the Week: Prince Naseem Hamed vs. Manny Pacquiao

Over the last few years, Manny Pacquiao has turned into a pound for pound legend. But in the early 2000s, Manny Pacquiao was an exciting featherweight who emerged just as the sun set prematurely on the career of Prince Naseem Hamed.

Both fighters possess great power and speed, but utilize them in drastically contrasting styles. Hamed rarely put punches together, but still posted 31 KOs in 37 fights with his lethal left hand, whether through straight or uppercuts. In addition, he possessed a jarring right jab, hook, and corkscrew uppercut. He used awkward angles to generate immense power from his legs, and his quick reflexes and adept footwork kept him out of danger at his absolute mid 90s physical prime. These attributes can be seen in Hamed’s efforts against Steve Robinson,  

The featherweight incarnation of Manny Pacquiao was seek and destroy, firing his laser like left hand straight down the middle, and wild, clubbing hooks whenever the battle went inside. Pacquiao was relentless and showed disdain at any return fire, as seen in his career-highlight beating of Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003.

At featherweight, this is a difficult fight to call. Pacquiao was still very raw, and didn’t stay long at this weight (leaving for Super Featherweight following the draw in 2004 with Juan Manuel Marquez). He could be timed as evidenced from the Marquez fight, and Hamed was more decorated at the weight, defending his title 15 times from 1995-2000.

The pick comes down to how highly you rate Pacquiao’s chin at featherweight. He’s going to come right at Hamed, similarly to how Kevin Kelly did in spots in their classic 1997 shootout. Yes, Pacquiao has never felt power like Hamed’s at featherweight, but Manny had only been stunned or hurt by precise, combination counters from Juan Manuel Marquez. Hamed for all his power and speed isn’t a technician, and won’t be able to catch Manny coming in, nor would he exchange bombs on the inside.

I see Hamed cracking Pacquiao hard early with the left, and then going into retreat ala his fights with Wayne McCollough and Ceasar Soto when he sees no give in Pacquiao. Pacman’s straight left down the middle will find the button several times, and the Prince will be the victim of a few balance knockdowns. Hamed showed a sturdy chin through his career, so I believe he’ll lose a clear decision but hang on to finish the bout.

Let’s read your verdict. Who do you have, Pacquiao or Hamed at featherweight?

QuestionsView Results

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Dr. Martin Luther, Jr.

We have no flowery editorial this year. Just a quote, a picture and a video. They say it all.