Denzel Washington’s ear for up to date rap runs deeper than informal curiosity, mixing admiration for brand new voices with appreciation for established stars.

The two-time Academy Award winner, celebrated for his commanding performances, shares the display with A$AP Rocky and Ice Spice within the action-drama Highest 2 Lowest. Away from filming, he gravitates towards the heart beat of recent hip-hop, maintaining artists like Memphis heavyweight Moneybagg Yo in common rotation and spotlighting a little-known collaboration between Smino and music/jorja-smith-samara-cyn-maino-trapboy-freddy-more-new-music-you-might-have-missed-this-week/”>Samara Cyn.

During an August 12 look on music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/denzel-washington-calls-himself-a-fan-of-music-shouts-out-smino-samara-cyn”>Good Morning America, Washington was requested about his “amazing rap repertoire.” Smino observed the second and responded on-line with a meme of the actor, a lighthearted nod that additionally mirrored Washington’s surprising credibility inside music circles. His familiarity with present rap developments resonates with artists who see him as greater than a Hollywood icon—somebody genuinely plugged into their tradition.

On The Run-Through with Vogue podcast, A$AP Rocky revealed Washington’s tastes lengthen additional, citing his curiosity in Pooh Shiesty, NLE Choppa, and extra from Moneybagg Yo’s catalog. Washington confirmed the lineup himself, calling music “a passion,” and naming “Brand New Teeth” by Smino and Samara Cyn as his present favourite.

“That’s what I’m on now,” he stated, underscoring a willingness to dig into corners of hip-hop past the mainstream charts.

Still, Washington approaches music with an analog sensibility. Preparing to painting David King in Highest 2 Lowest, he didn’t depend on a meticulously curated playlist to search out the character’s rhythm.

“I don’t have a playlist. I don’t even know how to do that, to be honest with you,” he informed co-host Michael Strahan. Instead, he pulled from music he already liked—sounds that naturally complemented the movie’s environment.

This openness to new rap displays Washington’s broader engagement with evolving cultural landscapes. While many actors deal with music as background preparation, his engagement feels private. Hip-hop isn’t a prop or a pattern to him—it’s a part of his on a regular basis listening.

In a profession constructed on deliberate decisions and immersive performances, Washington’s connection to the style is one other expression of his precision, curiosity, and skill to bridge worlds with authenticity.