Written, directed and produced by John Singleton and starring Tyrese Gibson, Taraji P. Henson, Ving Rhames, Snoop Dogg and Mo’Nique, “Baby Boy” is considered a classic Black movie. Its many quotable moments have made it an enduring favorite.
It’s the film that kicked off R&B singer Tyrese’s acting career. Turns out, some aspects of the film have stuck with him all these years. During a recent appearance on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast, he explained why the frayed relationship between his character, Jody, and Rhames’ Melvin, spilled over off-screen.
The film follows Jody, a young man trying to figure out how to become a mature, responsible father and partner for his girlfriend Yvette (Henson) and their son. Melvin is his mother, Juanita’s, new boyfriend and the two men immediately clash over their place in Juanita’s home and life. On the podcast, the “Fast & Furious” actor explains how the scenes with Rhames brought up issues from his relationship with his own mother, which he used in his performance. The “Baby Boy” conversation starts around 2:20.
“I was not acting in ‘Baby Boy.’ Ving Rhames definitely triggered the shit out of me.” he said. “I don’t like the nigga to this day. I swear to God, y’all think I’m playing.”
As he and the hosts laughed about the movie’s continued popularity, the “Shame” singer described how inexperienced he was while working on his first film. His connection to Jody’s issues with Melvin that allowed him to understand the character.
And since Tyrese was so green, it seems he may not have learned yet how to leave certain aspects of moviemaking on set. He still has negative feelings toward Rhames.
“I run into that to this day, bro, I don’t give a fuck where we at, what clothes we got on, what we doing, what event…It could be the Golden Globes, I see that nigga across the room, I’ll be like, ‘Man, fuck that nigga right there,” Gibson said.
In addition to its quotable nature, the emotional resonance of the movie is what keeps fans coming back to it over and over.
“Baby Boy” is available to stream on Netflix.