Rap superstar JAY-Z has dismissed rumours he’s giving up his dream of breaking into Hollywood as an actor, insisting he is simply taking his time to choose the right movie projects.
In 2003, the 99 Problems hitmaker, real name Shawn Carter, announced he was hanging up the microphone to concentrate on making the transition onto the big screen.
However, his early retirement was short lived and he made his rap comeback in 2006 with ninth studio album Kingdom Come.
He is now preparing for the highly-anticipated release of The Blueprint 3 next Friday (11Sep09) – but Jay-Z is adamant his acting dreams are still very much alive.
He tells MTV, “I do. I do (want to make movies). I’m taking my time. It may seem like it’s taking forever, but when I do, it’s gonna be something added to the genre.
“I just don’t wanna do a couple movies and be gone. I want it to be something that’s really important, so I’m taking my time with it. Hopefully when I arrive (in Hollywood), I can leave a footprint.”
Jay-Z will have his wife Beyonce Knowles to turn to for advice when he does enter the film industry – the singer/actress has landed starring roles in hit movies like Dreamgirls, Obsessed and Austin Powers in Goldmember.