The Creators Series w/MeKai Curtis on "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" and Channeling His Dream
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“Just keep going!... When you’re really passionate about something, all of the outside noise becomes just that!”
- MeKai Curtis
We’ve all watched Kanan, from the hit TV show “Power”, executively produced by and starring Curtis Jackson (50 Cent), do things in cold-blood that have been heart shattering, season after season until his demise in season 4. Now we get a glimpse into his childhood with the recent release of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”. Playing his literal inner child, MeKai Curtis, 20, enters the saga, playing a young Kanan in the now streaming spin off series on Starz.
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Curtis is no stranger to acting, but this role peaks his career at an interesting turning point where he truly feels at home amongst the star-studded cast of the epic saga. You’d think such ability to pivot from his earlier known roles would be indicative of serious actor’s training, but Curtis lets us know that prior to getting started in showbiz, only his hunger was a big driving factor in landing roles with no formal training as an Actor.
Curtis holds his own as a key player in “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”, which is the prequel to ‘Power’, bringing himself to the table, his experiences, and a genuine love for the show. His performance brings Kanan to life in the hearts of audiences who can relate, everywhere. He attributes his continual success and eventual role as Kanan to his family. He relishes that his parents believed in his crazy dream of being an Actor, so much so that they drove him across the country to pursue his passion. His real life accountability to his family translates and speaks volumes through his character portrayal of Kanan and his relationship with his mother, Raq, played by Patina Miller, in the show.
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On how he thinks Raising Kanan will shape the perspective of the audiences who already love and know Kanan the man (50 Cent), he says:
“At the core of this story...is a story of choices, environment, influences, and the people [he is surrounded by].”
Primarily referring to his upbringing under Raq and the many trials they faced as a family running a drug trafficking ring on the Southside of Jamaica Queens in 1991. Curtis assures us that Kanan's love for his family is the driving factor in all of his decisions, a truth Curtis can relate to personally.
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Going for his dream as an actor has always meant to him, pushing the limits within the character development stage. Curtis shares that during the audition stage, he didn’t even know that he was auditioning for the role of Kanan, but auditioned under code names everytime he received a call-back. “Courtney (Coutney A. Kemp, the show’s writer and producer), gave me a note during one of the scenes, [where] she wanted me to plead with the character more, plead with my mother, that ‘I want to be here to protect you, to help you.’ That was the essence of what she wanted me to portray, and in that moment it really clicked, what they were trying to do with [his] character.” Says Curtis, who knows the power of Kanan’s portrayal lies within his power to wield tangibly to his audience, and that he does, just beautifully.
Experience is what Curtis cites as his best reference for his emotional depth with this role. “Empathy is a big thing for me.” he says, being able to put himself in someone else’s shoes helps him to put his feelings on display candidly. In a world where Black Men are portrayed to lack empathy and Joy, Curtis brings a powerful interpretation to the street life that is in-fact some people’s waking reality. Vulnerability for him, equals depth, not weakness. “It’s okay to feel.” he says, this is something he learned through personal experiences, building and breaking down walls, and tearing through his own tough exterior. He feels he’s come a long way in order to be able to play a role with such emotional dimension as young Kanan.
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So how does a fan-turned-cast-member establish his presence amongst the stars? Curtis says he didn't feel the need to come with a certain caliber or pedigree to set, because the star-studded team made him feel especially welcome and saw something in him that he didn't think he saw in himself at the time. His goal was just matching their energy, and according to him: it's electric! The comradery on set has allowed Curtis to bond and make unforgettable friendships.
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As for what we can expect from young Kanan on screen, Curtis lets us in on his character’s raw instinct and determination, yet inadvertent naivety, which he believes is the brilliance of this lead role. As far as continuing to chase the dream and set the bar for other Creators, Curtis says to “Just keep going!... When you’re really passionate about something, all of the outside noise becomes just that!” Disappointment should never be a deterrent for reaching the goal you’ve set for yourself. “There’s always a bigger picture.” Watch “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” NOW, on Starz, Sunday nights at 8 pm EST. Connect with Mekai Curtis on Instagram.
Written by Janet Igah