Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Robert Taylor may’ve swapped destinies in 1984, if solely a casting selection had gone in a different way. Taylor, without end etched into Hip-Hop historical past as “Lee” in Beat Street, not too long ago revealed that that the late Warner auditioned for a similar position.

“Funny part is—God rest his soul—but Malcolm-Jamal Warner auditioned for my part as Lee,” Taylor informed AllHipHop. “And you know who else? Emmanuel Lewis, ‘Webster.’ He auditioned for Lee, too.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner would quickly change into Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, because the hit present debuted the identical yr because the Harry Belafonte-produced Beat Street. The film is likely one of the first main movies to showcase Hip-Hop tradition on the large display. Set within the Bronx, the film follows a bunch of younger pals chasing their goals by breakdancing, DJing, graffiti and rap. Each particular person should navigate the struggles of poverty and survival in New York City. Lee was one of many most important, enticing characters.

The revelation reframes the beginnings of each stars. Warner was simply a teen with appearing chops and a sitcom pilot beneath his belt. He was Hip-Hop adjoining, showing in rap movies by Whodini. Taylor, by his personal admission, was merely a child who wished to bounce. He informed AHH‘s DJ Thoro and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur he had no clue the audition concerned dialogue in any respect.

“I was only focused on the dancing,” he mentioned. “That’s all I wanted to do. They said, ‘Congratulations, you guys are the cast of the movie. Robert, you’re a big part of the film. You’re going to play the little brother. Your character’s name is Lee.’”

See The Full, Exclusive Interview With Robert “Lee” Taylor Below. He Talks Being A Reluctant Star, How He Got The Role Of “Lee” And The Ups And Downs Of Being A Child Star.

That identify, Lee, wasn’t only a character. His efficiency grew to become the emotional heartbeat of Beat Street. Even many years later, followers ink his picture on their pores and skin and recite his strains as a part of Hip-Hop’s cinematic canon.

Meanwhile, Warner didn’t get a task in Beat Street, but he was on the verge of his personal breakthrough. The Cosby Show debuted later that yr, propelling him into historical past. Yet Warner’s ties to Hip-Hop run deeper than visitor appearances in rap movies

He constructed a profession as a poet, spoken-word artist and MC along with his band Miles Long. His artwork channelled the affect of early Hip-Hop pioneers, talking reality to energy. His audition for Beat Street is certainly an enormous “what if” second.

Robert Taylor nonetheless embodies Hip-Hop on the large display and Lee is a personality that resonates with followers greater than 40 years because the launch date. Looking again, Taylor credit one other legend for making all of it potential.

“Hip-Hop owes Harry Belafonte for producing Beat Street,” Taylor mentioned. “If it wasn’t for him, who knows where we’d be. That movie made us all part of history.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner died in July, a sufferer of a tragic riptide in Costa Rica. Both he and Robert Taylor are heroes within the international rise of Hip-Hop tradition.

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