Performances in biographical motion pictures comparable to “Malcolm X,” The Hurricane,” and “Antwone Fisher” made Denzel Washington a Hollywood legend. The Oscar winner may even channel hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter on demand.
Washington, 70, was a visitor on the revamped “The Queen Latifah Present” daytime speak program in 2014. Latifah, a Grammy Award-winning rapper, hinted that Denzel additionally had secret freestyling skills.
“You’ve acquired a bit of rapper in you,” Latifah mentioned to Washington. “You’ve been good with the freestyles. You’ve all the time been good.” Washington responded, “Don’t put me on the spot, now. I can’t do it.”
After turning down the possibility to rhyme for Latifah’s viewers, Washington joked, “I did give Jigga a number of traces. I gave him a few issues,” referring to one in every of Jay-Z’s well-known nicknames.
Washington then recalled being within the studio with Jay-Z and rock star Lenny Kravitz. As he talked concerning the expertise, the “Gladiator II” actor mimicked Jigga’s well-known snigger earlier than imitating his voice, and the reside viewers broke out in laughter.
“I’m gonna play this tune for you, man. Inform me what you suppose,” Washington said whereas emulating the Roc Nation founder. In his personal voice, Denzel revealed, “It was ‘Change Garments.” That Jay-Z report went on to be a top-10 hit on the Billboard Scorching 100 in 2003.
A clip of Washington’s imitation of Jay-Z, 55, just lately resurfaced on Instagram. Unsurprisingly, many individuals have been fixated on the movie icon’s impression of his fellow New York native.
“He was spot on,” one particular person wrote within the Instagram remark part about Washington impersonating Jay. A second fan added, “He nailed the voice, although.” A 3rd referred to as Washington “Den Z.”
Moreover, an Instagram consumer praised Denzel by writing, “That snigger. Properly completed, sir.” But, one other commenter expressed, “I by no means observed how their voices have an analogous tone. Wild!”
“Denzel wants so as to add a comedy to his repertoire of movies as a result of he’s low-key humorous as hell!” a fan exclaimed. Likewise, somebody commented, “Denzel doing a Jay-Z impression is hilarious, now I’m prepared to listen to Jay Pharoah.”
Former “Saturday Night time Stay” solid member Jay Pharoah is likely one of the most well-known Jay-Z impressionists. For example, Pharoah took comedic pictures at skilled athletes whereas imitating the Brooklyn-bred emcee throughout his standup set on the 2013 ESPY Awards.
Different comedians like Aries Spears are identified to mock “The Black Album” creator as effectively. Even retired tennis participant Andy Roddick and retired skilled baseball participant Kevin Kiermaier have tried to do impressions of Jay-Z to blended reactions.
It isn’t clear if Pharoah, Spears, Roddick, and Kiermaier have the identical sort of private relationship with Jay-Z that Washington has. Jay’s 2007 album “American Gangster” was the musical companion to Washington’s 2007 biographical crime movie of the identical identify.
“Once I noticed the film, the way in which Denzel portrayed the character, , we by no means seen a Black man ascend this excessive in a film earlier than, to being over the mob. So instantly that struck with me,” Jay said in a 2007 interview with XXL.
Washington portrayed Harlem-based drug lord Frank Lucas within the “American Gangster” movement image. The Ridley Scott-directed drama additionally starred Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Cuba Gooding Jr., Idris Elba, T.I., and Widespread.
Jay additionally mentioned, “One of the vital necessary scenes [in the movie] to me was when Denzel and the T.I. character sat down, and so they had that speak. T.I. was a pitching prospect. Denzel’s character acquired him that tryout with the Yankees, and he blew it off, and Denzel was like, ‘Why did you blow it off?’ And he’s like, ‘I need to be such as you.’”
Denzel and Jay-Z’s friendship was on show in February 2023 when each leisure icons have been noticed collectively at courtside in Crypto.com Area because the Los Angeles Lakers performed the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Their attendance on the NBA sport went viral.
At one level, it appeared Washington acquired right into a heated confrontation with one other man on the basketball courtroom. Jay-Z was seen attempting to tug Denzel away, however the Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient continued to handle the unknown agitator. The ordeal ended with a smiling Jay and Denzel embracing.
Washington was concerned in one other intense encounter two years later, in Might 2025. The star of the “Othello” play on Broadway was caught shouting at a photographer throughout the premiere of “Highest 2 Lowest” on the 78th annual Cannes Movie Pageant in France.
“Cease it!” Washington yelled whereas pointing his finger instantly on the cameraman who had grabbed his arm. “Highest 2 Lowest” director Spike Lee was with him on the time. Denzel’s co-star, rapper/actor A$AP Rocky, was strolling the crimson carpet too.
Washington not solely has creative connections with hip-hop recording artists A$AP Rocky and Jay-Z. Past his traditional tv sitdown with Queen Latifah from 2014, the Mount Vernon native and the “U.N.I.T.Y.” rapstress have ties to “The Equalizer” franchise.
Director Antoine Fuqua tapped Washington for the action-thriller “The Equalizer,” which hit theaters in 2014. Two film sequels have been launched in 2018 and 2023, respectively. Latifah led the rebooted TV model of “The Equalizer” from 2021 to 2025.
