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If you've been watching any TV or reading any newspapers recently, you're well aware that The Fighting Temptations opened in theaters nationwide this weekend. Christian rapper T-Bone (Flicker Records) made his feature film acting debut in the movie, billed by its creators, MTV Films and Paramount Pictures, as a "gospel musical." The film stars Cuba Gooding, Jr., Beyoncé Knowles, Steve Harvey, Mike Epps and a host of Hollywood stars, along with cameos and musical performances by hip-hop, R&B and gospel artists like Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays, Faith Evans, Angie Stone, Melba Moore, Lil' Zane, and Knowles, the lead singer for Destiny's Child.

The story centers on Darrin Fox (Gooding), a New York ad executive in line for a big inheritance from his aunt. The only catch? He must return to his tiny hometown in the South, and lead her lackluster church choir to victory in a gospel music competition before he can collect the money. Knowles plays Lilly, a local nightclub singer Darrin recruits to try to win the contest-and the cash. He'd like to steal her heart in the process, but he has some lessons to learn first about what's really important in life. T-Bone, the self-proclaimed "Street Preacha," plays a convict whose vocal abilities earn him an unlikely spot in the choir loft. Several of his songs are performed in the movie and on the soundtrack. We recently caught up with the rapper, who was eager to talk about his acting, his music and his spiritual convictions.

What drew you to be involved with The Fighting Temptations?

T-Bone It's a positive movie. It has a lot of church roots in it. But the number one thing is to be able to do my music. To be a light in the darkness. Getting to play this role, a prisoner, is my life story. My character went to jail because he sold weed. That's what I used to do. In the movie, my character breaks into tears when they sing, "He still loves me anyway." It was so easy to play the role. It was like I wasn't acting.

Do you see yourself doing more acting in the future?

T-Bone Definitely. I think this is only the beginning. I think it's a great tool to minister to people in Hollywood. In fact, I was able to lead a few people to the Lord while filming.

Were you nervous appearing on the big screen?

T-Bone My work on television shows like "Real Videos" on TBN and "TX10" on the Dish Network helped me prepare for this film role. I've been in front of the cameras all my life.

Have Christians criticized you for being a part of what they might consider a "secular" venture?

T-Bone I haven't had that happen because if someone said that to me they know I would go crazy. I don't care what they think; I only care what God thinks. When I was in the gutter, I was gung ho for the Devil. Now I'm gung ho for Christ. If all we are doing is in the church, we aren't fulfilling what God has called us to do, and that's to be a light in the darkness. I'm not concerned with what everybody else thinks. If I cared what other people thought, I wouldn't be doing gospel hip-hop. When I first started, pastors would kick me out of their church and say, "That's not of God."

As a rapper, were you surprised to be involved in a movie about gospel music?

T-Bone God blew me away with this whole movie. I mess up every day and I don't deserve all this, but God's love is so unconditional, and through it I was able to point people to Christ.

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