Yowazzup: A Directory of Happening Things

Watch Hov’ rocks the hall with his new single, “Pray” from his America Gangster album.

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American Gangster is a 2007 movie based on a true story. The film stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Washington plays Frank Lucas, a real-life heroin kingpin from Harlem who smuggled heroin into the US on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. While Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective attempting to crack down Lucas’ drug empire. American Gangster was released in the United States and Canada on November 2, 2007 and in Malaysia on January 10, 2008.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

“Bumpy” Johnson (Clarence Williams III) is a black gangster who runs much of Harlem and hands on his wisdom onto his former driver and body guard, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington). When “Bumpy” Johnson dies of a heart attack in 1968 at the age of 62, Frank decides to take control as he dislikes the way the new, loud gangsters deal with things. In order to gain money and power, he travels to Bangkok, and with the help of his cousin who is an Army Senior Noncom, strikes a deal with a Thai (Kuomintang) general who supplies him with pure heroin. Frank then has the drugs transported back to America via military service planes, hidden in the coffins of seven dead U.S. soldiers from the Vietnam War.

Frank Lucas and his men in American Gangster

Frank’s unique drug supply has enabled him to sell potent drugs (nicknamed “Blue Magic” heroin) at very low prices. Not too long after that, he quickly makes a fortune and buys several nightclubs and apartments. This also enables him to buy a huge house and bring in his family from North Carolina.

At the same time, outcast detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is taking late-night law school classes to become a lawyer. Richie’s wife is leaving him and is bringing her son to Vegas. When Richie and his partner, Javier Rivera, discover nearly $1 million in unmarked bills in a car, Richie resists temptation and turns the money in. His rare honest ways make him a hated member of his precinct, causing his partner to be exiled from the force. After his exiled partner dies from overdosing on Blue Magic, Richie’s honesty catches him a break when his superior Captain Lou Toback (Ted Levine) puts him in charge of a newly created task force to stop drug trafficking in New Jersey and New York City. Richie handpicks honest cops and gets to work on finding out who is supplying Blue Magic.

As Frank’s business blooms, he makes a point of operating quietly and dressing with a modest conservatism both as a sign of strength and to avoid attracting the attention of the law. However, Frank disregards this habit for his wife for one ostentatious night out, attending a Muhammad Ali boxing match with several known mobsters in a gaudy fur coat and hat, and with a ring-side seat. As it happens, Roberts sees this unknown, but obviously wealthy, person associating with high-level criminals, as well as having better seats than the Italian mafia. Robert becomes suspicious, and he begins to investigate this unknown (to him) figure in New York organized crime.

Even as Frank realizes he has exposed himself to police scrutiny, he must make deals with the Italian mafia and fend off corrupt NYC detectives, such as Det. Trupo (Josh Brolin), who extort and threaten him. He must also contend with local crime figure Nicky Barnes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is taking some of Frank’s product, diluting it himself, and selling it under Frank’s “brand” name. Unidentified assassins try to kill Frank’s wife, further destabilizing him and worsening his unsteady marriage. Things finally turn to the worst when Frank sees the U.S. Military vacating Vietnam, which in turn cuts off his primary heroin transportation.

Richie catches another break when his men witness the driver of one of Frank’s cousins shooting a woman. They use the driver’s bad predicament to get him to wear a wire. The wire allows Richie and his task force to discover when a plane carrying drugs is landing. Meanwhile, Trupo leads his band of police officers to Frank’s mother’s mansion where they take Frank’s emergency cash supply. When the plane lands, Richie and his men follow the drugs into Harlem’s projects and obtain a warrant. A huge group of police and detectives raid the drug apartments en bloc and a large shootout occurs. Frank is at church when the bust goes down, but he is arrested after the service ends. Frank and Richie finally meet, and Frank’s attempts to bully Richie are unsuccessful.

With no other options, Frank decides to provide names of numerous other criminals, including his and Richie’s common enemies: corrupt NYC detectives. Numerous corrupt cops are arrested; Det. Trupo kills himself to avoid arrest. Richie, having passed the Bar Exam, prosecutes Frank, but he leaves the prosecutor’s office after the Lucas trial. The first client he takes after becoming a defense attorney is Frank. Because of his cooperation, Frank receives a relatively light sentence of 15 years rather than the original 70. His wife has gone back to Puerto Rico. His mom has returned to North Carolina. 30 of Frank’s family members are also arrested for involving in drug trafficking. At the end of the movie, he steps out of jail to the sounds and era of the 1990s, significantly older and out of place.

Overall, the movie is superb. Great actings by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Rap stars Common and T.I. who play Turner Lucas and Stevie Lucas respectively did well too.

My ratings: 8 out of 10, my man!

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JAY-Z is back. Watch “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is…)”, taken from the new album, “American Gangster“!

Btw, today JAY-Z turns 38! Happy birthday, JAY!

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Watch as JAY-Z performs Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)… from his latest album “American Gangster”.

Get JAY-Z latest album - American Gangster now! (In store, November 6)

(Via JAY-Z Hard Knock Site)

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American Gangster is the new upcoming movie starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, and will open on November 2. It is also the title of JAY-Z’s upcoming album to be released on November 6.

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On November 6, Roc-A-Fella Records and JAY-Z will release the new album AMERICAN GANGSTER. Separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, this collection of all-new original material is a musical journey and lyrical interpretation of snapshots from the upcoming motion picture American Gangster, which pairs Oscar® winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crow.

Read the rest of JAY-Z New Album, American Gangster

(Via JAY-Z Hard Knock Site)

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