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Actor Shemar Moore Discusses His Career In "S.W.A.T." And Hosting "Soul Train"
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Apr 26, 2024
Actor Shemar Moore talks about his epic career in S.W.A.T. and Soul Train as well as the issues surrounding his Blackness. #shemarmoore #swat #soultrain Subscribe to AllHipHop on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/allhiphoptv?sub_confirmation=1 Check out more of AHH here on social media: https://allhiphop.com https://twitter.com/allhiphopcom https://facebook.com/allhiphopcom https://instagram.com/allhiphopcom Executive Producers: “Grouchy” Greg Watkins and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur AllHipHop.com, a powerhouse in the Hip-Hop world, was established and brought to life in 1998 by the visionary CEOs "Grouchy" Greg Watkins and Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur. Over the years, AllHipHop has solidified its position as an invaluable hub for all things Hip-Hop on the web. With its daily dose of news, exclusive interviews, in-depth reviews, multimedia content, a newly-minted expanding community, and a treasure trove of other engaging material, it has garnered immense praise and a dedicated following. Renowned publications consistently turn to AllHipHop for their news and feature references, attesting to the site's unparalleled accuracy and trustworthiness. Additionally, AllHipHop has fostered strong partnerships with numerous offline print magazines, newspapers, television networks, and radio stations, further cementing its influence and reach in the world of #HipHop. #chuckcreekmur #allhiphoptv #grouchygreg
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0:00
I'm very grateful for this show, proud of what we've accomplished, this being our seventh
0:13
season and the word on the street is this is our final season, which if indeed that's
0:20
true, it's a little bittersweet, a little bittersweet. But if this is our swan song, I say thank you and I couldn't be more proud
0:30
Thank you to the fans around the world. And that's what's crazy is this show has now resonated around the world
0:37
We got you talking about it. I just got off an interview with Stephen A. Smith
0:42
He's screaming about it like he does. Howard Stern's been talking about us
0:46
Charles Barkley loves this show. We premiered on Netflix and within two weeks, we went from number 11 to number seven
0:53
To number four and then to number one. And so it's, you know, all of a sudden there's this reemergence of SWAT and it's catching
1:01
fire and families and folks around the world are loving this show
1:07
And I, you know, I pinch myself, that's some dream stuff. So if this is the end, we're coming out guns blazing
1:14
Season seven starts with Mexico City and we waste no time. We get right into it
1:20
We do a flashback from Hondo's past that then sets up the rest of the story
1:25
Then all of a sudden you see me, Hondo, in this crazy chase scene all through the streets
1:29
of Mexico City. You know, our show with that theme song, you know, that's just told the world that you
1:37
know what's coming next. That's motorcycle chases, car chases, hand to hand combat, helicopters flying around
1:43
me hanging off the helicopters. You know, and then we have interesting messages and stories laced with humanity
1:51
So this is going to be a thrill ride. Thirteen episodes right out the gate
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We start this Friday. And when you say plot twist, yeah, there's going to be some surprises
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So it's going to be fun, but there's going to be some drama. There's going to be some controversy. You're going to see a roller coaster ride
2:07
You're going to see Hondo have to fight for his team. You're going to see SWAT start to collapse a little bit and see if Hondo and the team
2:15
can pick it back up. So it's must see TV. And again, if this is it, it's been it's been a crazy, crazy ride and a beautiful run
2:24
But I'm not ready just yet to say goodbye. What do you think is the impetus for the continued popularity of not only SWAT, but shows of
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its ilk, not only in the United States, but worldwide? Why do these shows resonate with people
2:42
I can't speak for all the shows and I'm you know, you can't say that there's a best show
2:46
on television. I'm biased, but I will say I think we are a unique show because we're like watching
2:53
an action movie, but on TV and our show, we don't talk about politics
2:58
We don't preach to you. We don't talk about religion. We just give you we just give you fun
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And what's been nice, especially with the help of Netflix, I'm getting all these letters
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and DMs and people on the streets saying that this is a show I sit down with my family
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and we are and it's a bonding moment for their family to watch this show because it's it's
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for everybody. I don't care who you are, where you are, how old you are, what color you are
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You can have fun with this show. So, you know, a lot of shows don't resonate overseas, but we're just we're super cops
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chasing bad guys that that translates wherever you go. So just, you know, whatever country you're in, you just you just dove over that language
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on us and you can still follow the story and enjoy the action, enjoy the fun
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So first and foremost, we're a fun show. But then, you know, but then we but then we, you know, we keep it grounded and we do deal
3:50
with topics, topical issues. We've talked about we've talked about human trafficking
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We've done episodes about school shootings, which are important and relevant. Suicide by cop
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We took on Black Lives Matter. It was very important to me and so many of us. Me being a black man and being the leader, leader of a SWAT unit and with everything
4:08
that's been going on in this country and around the world, it had been a travesty not to speak
4:13
on. But we spoke on it in a very fair way. Again, we didn't preach
4:17
We didn't pick a side. We just tried to educate and maybe even create a debate
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So if you can do that with a TV show, that's big. So I think I think first and foremost, the fun of this show and that everybody can relate
4:30
to it is why we stay steady. But the fact that we keep it grounded and talk about some real stuff gives it gives us
4:37
a little integrity. Indeed, I, of course, I'm of a certain age, so I recall your earlier
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days in TV and entertainment and, you know, early on, you were just quite frankly, you
4:52
were considered the the handsome, pretty guy on the train and you
4:58
Right. You know what I'm saying? I can't even follow that. Well, let's see the light skin guy
5:03
You know what I'm saying? Yeah, but you I pay you. I pay. I'm not
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Hey, I'm not. But you've come through time and you've created this niche for yourself
5:21
Did you foresee that or can you take me back to your mindset on that set of Soul Train
5:28
And what did you project to for yourself in the future? My initial dream, I went to Santa Clara University
5:34
I was a communications major and I was actually up until up until college
5:40
I was I was kind of a shy dude. I was kind of to myself, but I was I was an athlete
5:45
So, you know, I would when I would get on the sports field, a whole nother it was like
5:51
my alter ego came out. But, you know, I was I was, you know, I was I was shy with the ladies
5:57
You know, I went through, you know, you know, I'm half black, half white. I make no apologies for that
6:01
You know, for me, so people don't know that I was born in East Oakland, 98 Avenue behind
6:05
the policy. The black side of me is Oakland. The white side of me is Boston
6:10
And, you know, my mother, may she rest in peace. I mean, she was my best friend, my mentor
6:16
You know where she went. I went I lived the first year, six years of my life out of the country
6:20
You know, my first language was in English. My first language was Danish. I lived in Denmark for the first three years of my life
6:28
Then after that, I lived in Bahrain, which is an Arab island in the Middle East
6:31
I lived there for three years. And then my mother said we were this far around the world
6:36
I want to see things. So we went to Germany, Ghana, London, Pakistan, Virgin Islands, Greece
6:42
I've got pictures of me on camel standing next to pyramids as a baby
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I have to look at pictures. And when my mother was alive, I would listen to stories of, you know, of our experiences
6:53
and all that. So I say all that to say that I've lived a very eclectic upbringing
6:58
So I knew and no disrespect, I knew that anyone who does, I didn't want to wear a suit and tie
7:04
for a living. I wanted to think outside the box. I didn't want to be ordinary
7:09
I wanted to do something extraordinary. I didn't know what that would be
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And, you know, I wanted to be a professional baseball player because my uncle was one of
7:18
my role models. You know, I wasn't close with my father. And so I had surrogates, you know, that came in and helped me develop as a man
7:27
And I was good at baseball. I was really good. I got looked at by Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles while I was in college, but I wasn't
7:34
quite good enough. But I got into theater arts in college just because I thought I could give my permission
7:41
to act like someone else in a way that I couldn't give myself. I wouldn't give myself permission in my own life
7:47
Now, I've come a long way and, you know, now, you know, I run my mouth and I've learned
7:53
how to put on a show, so to speak. But you talk about Soul Train, Young and Restless, you know, that was the lane that I was given
7:59
you know, and I know all the pretty boy light skin jokes and all that. I mean, hey, this is the way my mom and God made me
8:05
But I always knew that it was deeper than that for me
8:09
You know, this in some ways, this helped me get in the room. But I knew I needed to do more than that
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But also the way I looked and all that stuff, I know that that created a lot of skepticism
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and hate or judgment and all that. And I was like, OK, strong shoulders and but do the work, do the work
8:27
So I always I got into acting class and I knew it was going to take time for me to grow
8:34
It was going to take time for me to mature, get comfortable in my own skin
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And so that was just what you witnessed. This is my 30th year in the game
8:43
Man, I was just I was just a young kid. I was just a young kid trying to find my way
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I never I never said I was great. I just want I just I just steady was trying to get better
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And and so I needed Young and Restless to learn to get my feet wet
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And then once I felt like I'd accomplished enough and got my confidence and skill set
9:00
Sorry about this line. Once I felt like I was confident enough, got my skill set
9:05
You know, my mother always preached to me, leap in the net will appear
9:09
which means be brave, take chances. If you want something, go get it
9:13
If it scares you, then run right at that fear, run right through it. And it'll become your strength
9:17
And so my journey is just a little train that could and a dude who wouldn't quit
9:22
So Young and Restless happened, Soul Train. I had my three dance moves and that's all over the Instagram
9:27
And, you know, but, you know, I got the opportunity to fill the shoes of Don Cornelius
9:32
He believed in me. And whether you think I did a good job or a bad job, man, that was just my hustle
9:37
That was what was presented to me. I got to meet some of the greatest entertainers in the world
9:42
I can't sing a lick. I mean, if I could sing, you'd see a whole different show more and more
9:47
But it's just my journey, my evolution. And I'm proud of how much I've grown
9:52
I'm still trying to grow. I've grown as an actor, grown as a man, grown as a Black man
9:59
And now here I am, the lead of SWAT, you know, for some years there until recently
10:04
Not that it hadn't been done before. And I'm not bragging, pointing out a fact, and I'm pointing out a lack of diversity
10:11
I was the only African-American male lead on network television. And so I take pride in it, but I also take pride in also showcasing the need for more
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So, you know what I mean? So there's people who love me out there and I'm grateful
10:28
And then I got haters and that's OK, because all that does is fuel my fire. And I know what it took to get here
10:34
I know it ain't just about being light skinned and pretty. I'm almost 54 years old
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And trust me, don't let the light skin fool you. There's a dog inside of here that say what you want to say, but I ain't gonna stop
10:50
Oh, outstanding answer. Now, why haven't we seen you more on the big screen and more mainstream
11:01
Or is that yet to come? Again, I took the cards up and dealt
11:07
And, you know, I did a little of this, a little of that. I did a movie with Tyler Perry
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I did a movie called The Brothers many years ago. Morris Chestnut, D.O. Hughley, Bill Bellamy
11:17
So I got a taste of it. God has a plan, you know what I mean
11:22
And I don't know if I'm in line to ever win an Oscar, but I don't know because I'm not done
11:29
But I do think, you know, SWAT will not last forever. This may be the final season
11:34
And again, if it is, I say, thank you. And then I say, watch this, because that next door I kick down
11:40
it ain't gonna be the same old, same old. I don't need to keep playing cops. You know, I'm gonna find something different
11:45
I'm gonna just surprise myself and surprise the audiences. But yeah, I think you can see me get a little edgier, a little grimeier
11:52
You know, I'm on network television, and that's just the platform that I've been blessed with so far
11:58
But being on network television, you have to be a little safe
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And that's just what it is. You got to play by those rules. And I'm anxious to get out there and not be so safe
12:09
And I think I'll be able to dig deep and show what's inside that people may not know
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And I think I'll extend or change the narrative. So I ain't done yet introducing myself
12:23
Outstanding. Now, lastly, you're here with AllHipHop.com. And I wanted to know, was there a particular lyric that you think of when you're preparing
12:38
to act, or is there a favorite MC of the time? And if you know it, can you flow it
12:47
You want me to flow? It's gonna be old school. But Tupac, only God can judge me
12:51
Tupac, only God can judge me. And Tupac was, unlike any, a legend
12:59
I'm old school. The first rap song I ever memorized as a kid was LL Cool J, I Need Love
13:05
I'm alone in the room, sometimes I'm standing at the wall. And in the back of my mind, I hear my conscience call, telling me I need a girl who's as sweet
13:14
as a dove for the first time in my life. I see I need love. Yeah
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And then I got two live crew. We can't say all that
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But yeah, I got, what is it? Well, the party didn't start till I walked in
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And I probably won't leave until the thing ends. So in the meantime, in between
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You know what I mean? Right, right, right, right, right. Because that's when hip hop was fun, because you could hear the lyrics
13:40
Yeah, I can't understand what half these brothers are saying right now, but the beat is dope
13:44
Yeah, the beat is dope. Hey, man, it's been dope talking to you, Shamar
13:49
Is there anything I may have neglected to ask you about SWAT, or anything upcoming that
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you'd like for our readership to know about? Man, I appreciate your time
13:59
I appreciate your investment. You asked me some real questions. Just yeah, check out SWAT
14:04
Check out SWAT. And I'm just, again, what we touched on, I'm so grateful
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And hopefully I'm proof positive that you can make it, man. You know, you can defy the odds
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You can defy the odds. And so I didn't see this life coming. I didn't see this life coming
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But now that I got it, I never take it for granted. And I keep grinding because and I approach it like somebody out there is trying to knock
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you down today. And then when you get up tomorrow, they're going to try to knock you down again
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And I'm going to go out there and prove them wrong. So thank you for those who do support me
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SWAT, season seven, check it out. Support your brother. We're doing something good
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But then watch out. Watch out for the future, because I'm coming and it's going to be different
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