Denzel Washington praises A$AP Rocky for his intelligence, charm, and character, giving fans a rare glimpse into the mutual admiration between the Oscar winner and the rapper. During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Washington spoke warmly about his Highest 2 Lowest co-star. He said, “You know what, I get it, Rihanna.
He’s a very intelligent young man, he’s very nice, he’s handsome, he’s a good guy. I get it. He’s a good dude. He’s smart, a very bright man.” Washington also revealed his favorite rapper of all time, praising Nas for his lyrical skill. “Nas is one of my favorites ever, because I talk a lot, he’s a wordsmith,” Washington added, showing his appreciation for wordplay and talent.
The respect between Washington and A$AP Rocky is mutual. Rocky shared in a GQ interview that he received life-changing advice from the legendary actor nearly a decade ago. During a visit to the Washington family home at Christmas, invited by Denzel’s son John David, Rocky recalled a conversation that stayed with him. He said, “We was chilling and you gave me some of the illest advice. You was like ‘this your girlfriend?’ I was like ‘nah, this my friend’.” Washington reportedly replied, “Alright, cool, you like family man. In a few years, you gotta get it together. It’s about the family. It’s about this.” Rocky added, “I never forget that,” highlighting the guidance that shaped his perspective on life and relationships.
Spike Lee, who directed both Rocky and Washington in Highest 2 Lowest, also praised the rapper turned actor for holding his own alongside an Oscar winner. On The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Lee said, “Yeah, don’t sleep on A$AP. In this film, Denzel and A$AP go toe-to-toe. Even before I got involved with this film, I always thought that A$AP looked like he could be Denzel’s son. There’s a big resemblance. On screen, it adds an element of father and son.” Lee continued, “Don’t sleep on A$AP. I’ve done five films with Denzel, and a lot of times when he’s in a scene with somebody, they just get overwhelmed. He’s one of the greatest living actors today, but A$AP wasn’t having that. Toe-to-toe, they were going at it.”
This interaction between Washington and Rocky shows a unique mix of mentorship, respect, and genuine admiration. From on-set collaborations to personal advice, their bond reflects not only professional synergy but also real-life guidance and friendship. Fans are now seeing the depth of their relationship, which goes beyond the screen and highlights the impact that legendary actors like Denzel Washington can have on rising talents like A$AP Rocky.
