P. Diddy Schools Adrien Brody
Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody wants to start a second career —
as a music producer. The star of the Holocaust drama The
Pianist has grabbed the attention of hip-hop heavies such as
P. Diddy, Dr. Dre and Roc-A-Fella Records founder Damon Dash with a
CD of his beats.
“I told Adrien he produces like RZA, which is a big compliment,”
says Diddy. “My advice was to keep doing what he was doing.”
Brody was a skilled break dancer in his youth and learned to
recite raps verbatim growing up in Queens, New York — a talent he
retains today. But the actor makes it clear that he’s into more
than just rap beats. “I do make hip-hop music,” Brody says. “But I
am not solely a hip-hop musician.”
But at a P. Diddy party in Long Island’s Hamptons, Brody floored
a roomful of rap luminaries with his hip-hop know-how. “I was
surprised how knowledgeable Adrien was about the scene and
culture,” says Dash. “He was really excited about making beats. It
almost seemed like he’d rather be doing that.”
Brody has started to get some results, including a session with
Lenny Kravitz. “I felt that Lenny was impressed by what I brought
to the table,” says the actor. But according to Diddy, there’s
still much for Brody to learn. “Adrien calls himself A. Ranger,”
says Diddy. “I could get a better name for him. I ain’t gonna let
my man be out there like that.”