This Notorious B.I.G. Song Brings Out The Bad Boy In Shameik Moore

EXCLUSIVE –

Shameik Moore was a toddler in Atlanta when The Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in 1997, however that hasn’t stopped the multi-hyphenate entertainer from being influenced by the late Brooklynite, personally and professionally.

In a part of an unique interview with HipHopDX about his return because the voice of Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Moore shared his affinity for Biggie, whose tune “Hypnotize” was featured prominently in 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

“When was I introduced to him? I’m not even completely sure,” he stated. “But I know I started embracing Biggie when I started boxing. When I box, I just throw on the greatest hits from Biggie and his music is on rotation in my mind. So when those songs come on, I get in a natural flow state when I’m in the ring. It’s good.

“I think Biggie was probably the illest MC ever, but I could be wrong. There’s still André 3000, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, JAY-Z etc. But I like the storytelling aspect of it as an actor and writer. I just like the pictures that he paints.”

When requested which Biggie tune is on the prime of his pugilism playlist, Shameik revealed that “Warning,” from his 1994 debut Ready to Die, places a proverbial battery in his again.

“When I’m boxing, you can’t tell me nothin.’ I’m eatin’ food,” he stated as he recited the lyrics. “When I’m gettin ready and [playing] any bad boy character, you put on Biggie or Raekwon. I’m takin’ food off your plate. There’s nothin’ you can tell me.”

Shameik starred as The Chef Raekwon in three seasons of Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, which simply concluded, and stated that he’s “thankful for the opportunity and excited for the next role.”

Given that Spider-Man was name-dropped on the Wu’s first single, “Protect Ya Neck,” it seems like Moore’s path has been preordained. Does he assume that Raekwon and Miles Morales have something in widespread?