In Defense of Wesley Snipes
In Defense of Wesley Snipes
Word on the street is that Wesley Snipes, the star of “New Jack City” and an actor in “King of New York” is going on trial for being on the wrong side of The Internal Revenue Service. I really don’t have much of an opinion on the intricacies of the trial (although the venue of Ocala, Florida has got to hurt). But I do have an opinion on the man.
Here is a little story:
I had just got back to Los Angeles from a prolonged working vacation in the South of France. My good friend “Callahan” was throwing this dope gig in LA at the El Rey Theatre. Black Eyed Peas were performing. Think Black Eyed Peas before they added that girl with mad plastic surgery. You know, the one that all girls put on their ringtones nowadays. Behind the Front days. “That’s the joint, that’s the jam” days.
Anyways, it was a pretty celeb-heavy underground type-gig. That guy who was the main star of “Basketball Diaries” table was right next to our crew’s table. Mad fly LA Nightlife Princesses also.
My friend Callahan and I were chillin at the front bar talking French heists and strategy, slightly on Beans. Sipping cocktails.
Black Eyed Peas – Joints & Jam
As a young G on the rise, I was suited down of course, in a custom Italian number by…I can’t really remember. But I probably had a Glock 17 in those days as they were pretty hot then. Shirt blown open. Pocket Square. My friend was wearing whatever was the height of fashion for those days in LA. I don’t have to tell you that I was dressed doper than him. But that’s neither Sugar Hill nor E-tab Pill.
Up walks Wesley Snipes to the bar, solo, no Entourage, suited down kind of Nino Brown Style. This was not “Blade II” era Snipes, it was more “Roemello Skuggs” era Snipes.
Wesley Snipes: “How are you guys doing?”
Callahan: “Real Good.”
Michael Mason: “Perfect.”
Wesley Snipes: “Good.”
Callahan (obviously feeling it): “Yo Wesley, I was Passenger 58!”
All three of us: Laughter. (I didn’t really get the joke at the time, but I was feeling good so I played along).
Introductions all around.
Then two mad fly girls, taller than Snipes and myself, if I remember correctly, came up to Snipes and gave him very enthusiastic hugs and kisses.
Then one of the two girls in a shitty LA attitude kind of way, says, “Who are these two guys?” meaning us. (You don’t really see this kind of attitude today as much as you saw in the good old days.) As if, I wasn’t just heisting on the Côte d’Azur and chilling with topless girls; named things like, Florence and Marie, on the beach two days prior.
Snipes then says after a slight pause for greater effect, “Callahan and Michael are my two best friends in the world” with an opened arms gesture. The two girl’s expressions changed from “over us” to “into us” immediately. After some more small talk, Snipes exited stage left and left us with the two girls, who by now, were down for whatever.
Not like we needed any help, but I have never forgotten Snipes’ gesture of Class. In my book, he has always been the coolest cat in Hollywood.
“I am not guilty, you’re the one that’s guilty. The lawmakers, the politicians, the Columbian drug lords, all you who lobby against making drugs legal. Just like you did with alcohol during the prohibition. You’re the one who’s guilty. I mean, c’mon, let’s kick the ballistics here: Ain’t no Uzi’s made in Harlem. Not one of us in here owns a poppy field. This thing is bigger than Nino Brown. This is big business. This is the American way.”- Nino Brown
I hope Snipes isn’t found guilty either.
Oh yeah, we ended up swooping the girls. Assist by Snipes.
The Rest is Up to You…
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA The Seventh Letter
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com
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