Idris Elba thinks US hip-hop has lost its way.
The 43-year-old star – who has achieved success as a musician and as an actor – has claimed the genre has gone into decline in the US, arguing that hip-hop stars have become obsessed with material possessions.
Idris said: "To me, grime is the purest form of hip-hop in the world at the moment because it comes from a place of: ‘We are who we are and we aspire to be this.’
"I feel close to that. That’s where US hip-hop lost some of its way because now it’s like: ‘We’re all ballers and we all make stupid amounts of money.’"
The London-born star explained that music remains an important part of his life, because it allows him to be creative and express his own thoughts.
He shared: "As an actor, all day long I’m reading someone else’s thoughts. What about my own thoughts? That comes out in various guises. Writing. Directing. And music, unfortunately."
Idris also said he can understand why some people might be surprised that he tries to combine the two interests.
He told the Guardian newspaper: "You must be thinking: ‘F**king hell, why are you doing that?’
"I was on a film called ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ and I had a lot of downtime. Imagine me in a Hilton hotel: desk, laptop, little mic, me sitting there in me boxers…"
Idris Elba: US hip-hop has lost its way
