Rapper Gravy Gets Another Shot at Fame, This Time as BIG

Hefty entertainer to portray the far more notorious BIG
By Rebecca Smith Hurd,  Newser User
Posted Dec 15, 2008 1:18 PM CST
Rapper Gravy Gets Another Shot at Fame, This Time as BIG
Rapper/actor Jamal 'Gravy' Woolard poses for a portrait March 5, 2008, in New York City.    (Getty Images)

His debut album was shelved, but Jamal “Gravy” Woolard still has a shot a fame, the New Yorker reports. The rapper, who notoriously took a bullet in the butt outside a radio studio in 2006, killed his music career with what was widely perceived to be a publicity stunt. But he’s since been cast to portray the even more Notorious BIG on the big screen.

“Big called it best: ‘Mo money, mo problems,’” Woolard said. “I got jammed up. But the blessing is, later it put me in a better position.” Woolard worked hard for the role, doing serious time in “Biggie boot camp.” He took acting, choreography, and voice lessons—and had to strap on the feed bag to maintain his weight through it all. He won’t take success sitting down: After filming, he aims to drop the weight and stage a rap comeback.
(More rapper stories.)

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