Mario Van Peebles talks Salt-N-Pepa movie and New Jack City 30 Years Later

This week's guest is one of those guys that you just let talk and share wisdom and experiences. Actor/producer/director Mario Van Peebles is no doubt a legend in the film and television game. But, he's also still out here putting in work. His contribution sees him directing Salt-N-Pepa's upcoming Lifetime movie. MVP sits down with us to talk about how he landed the opportunity, some funny stories about his classic film New Jack City, plus he drops all kinds of other gems he learned from his father Melvin Van Peebles too.

2:20 - Mario Van Peebles lays out the decades-long history he has with Salt-N-Pepa and how he wound up being the director of their upcoming Lifetime movie. After years of working with both of them directly and indirectly through different projects, SNP felt comfortable with him bringing their stories to life. He also speaks on working his son Mandela into the script.

8:15- - MVP addresses Lifetime's history of Black culture biopics and how he approached them to make sure that the best project possible was made. He also speaks to the importance of having Black woman-empowering roles on the big screen and why he jumped at the chance to direct this film.

18:25 - MVP is one of the first, if not the first, directors to cast rappers in his films as actual characters (i.e. Ice-T in New Jack City), not just extensions of their music personalities. He speaks on knowing how to cultivate inexperienced actors (like Chris Rock) in order to get the best performances out of them. Maurice also asks MVP about the internet rumor that Gee Money actually misses the shot in the infamous "I'm taking fools money like the IRS" scene. 

24:30 - MVP talks about the upcoming 30th anniversary of "New Jack City." He says that he knew the film was a once in a lifetime opportunity to make. He also talks about the intention of making the cops in the movie cool enough to look up to.

30:30 - GAQ (Good Ass Question) alert! Branden asks MVP if he thinks the current socio-political climate will lead will shift Black creatives thought processes. 

41:40 - MVP speaks on how he's been able to have a long career without sacrificing his morals or identity. He shares some gems he got from his father as well as Andrew Young on how to move up and ahead in this world and still be true to yourself. 

50:00 - MVP speaks on the sequel to his film "Posse" and his future endeavors that include working on the Wu-Tang Clan television series.

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