Christian rapper T-Bone makes his film debut in The Fighting Temptations. His character mirrors T-Bone's real life—a former street druggie who finds faith and healing through the grace of God.

T-Bone (front right, with microphone and
cornrows) plays the role of a convict in the choir
in The Fighting Temptations. Photo courtesy of
MTV Films and Paramount Pictures

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.

What was it like working with Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding Jr.?

T-Bone: Beyoncé is a beautiful young lady. People see her outer person and say she has a nice body, nice hair and beautiful face. But when you get to know her, she is more beautiful on the inside. We still talk to this day. We just shot commercials for MTV together and again I was able to pray with her. We pray on the phone sometimes and I try to be a spiritual friend, give her spiritual advice. Cuba, he is so talented. I grew up watching his movies and he is just an energetic spirit. When he walks into a room, he lights it up. He's a Christian and we would pray almost every day on set. He is such an amazing actor. He could turn it on and off like a switch when he went into character. He's also an incredible break dancer, which you see at the end of the movie during the credits.

What do you want people to get out of this film?

T-Bone: I think it shows Hollywood you can make a film about God and church, and people will show up. After this movie, people feel like they just went to church. Traditional gospel, new hip-hop and R&B—it brings it all together. It's amazing how God works.

How did it feel when you completed filming?

T-Bone: When the last day came, I cried. I literally hugged Beyoncé and Cuba and my voice was cracking when I said goodbye and I had to run to my dressing room. It was hard leaving these people who had been my family for three months. We did everything together and became best friends. It broke my heart. So many great friends come out of it. It was the best three months of my life.

What are your best memories of this experience?

T-Bone: One is when Lil' Zane walked up to me, we were getting ready to film, and he asked, "T-Bone would you pray for me?" I said, "What for?" He said, "I don't care; all I know is that when you pray, I feel something I've never felt in my life." I led him to the Lord. I prayed with one of the guys from the O'Jays. He wanted to get back to God. It was amazing. Another thing that happened is I went with Beyoncé to her 21st birthday party, which was at a skating rink. So we are skating around, trying to look cool in our outfits. She goes by, I grab her hand and twirl her around. Next thing I know I hit a pebble and I start to slip and started rolling like a tumbleweed in front of all these celebrities. That was memorable!

So what are you working on music-wise?

T-Bone: Well, I just finished the soundtrack for the The Fighting Temptations. I have five songs on the soundtrack. I'm just writing stuff for my next record, and looking at doing a Spanish record. I'm from Nicaragua and so I grew up speaking Spanish. I grew up listening to salsa music, so this record will be influenced by that.

Joan Brasher is an entertainment writer based in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Fighting Temptations is rated PG-13 for some sexual references, and thus may not be suitable for children under 13. Click here to read Christianity Today's less-than-stellar review, and click here for the movie's official website. You can learn more about T-Bone at his official website. Read our review of T-Bone's latest album here.

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