00:00Everything about Younique is motivated to free himself from that, to be able to rule in such a way that there's nothing that can hold him back.
00:12That's what you don't understand, and this ain't about what you did. It's about who you are.
00:20My name is Oakley Jones, entertainment editor at Essence, and today I'm speaking with Joey Badass about Season 3 for Power Book 3, Raising Canaan on Stars.
00:28Joey, how you doing, my brother?
00:30Good, brother. How you doing? Good morning.
00:32I'm good. I'm good, man. No complaints.
00:34So being born and raised in New York, how do you think that upbringing prepares you for your role as Younique?
00:39What can I say? I feel like I was born to play this role. You know what I mean?
00:46Being able to project a character that's created as a derivative of the cultures that I was raised in makes it that much more fun and aspiring to portray.
01:03You know what I'm saying?
01:04I literally feel like they couldn't have found a better person to put this on.
01:11So it's an honor, and I'm extremely grateful.
01:14So with each passing season of Raising Canaan, I can see and feel your progression as an actor, Tussauds, and getting the role is one thing.
01:23Like, how have you been able to develop the character of Younique, and what things has Joey Badass done to better himself as an actor?
01:29I feel like I've always been what you call, like, I feel like my strength is instinct.
01:36Spending time with the character of Younique from season to season, I feel like I've really learned to adapt to what his instinctual nature is.
01:47And I play on that a lot, and I happen to be part of a great production house who allows me to explore, you know, things that might not be written down on paper.
02:00And I feel like, you know, as an actor, that's the best thing that I could bring to the table is, like, you know, getting so connected to the role where it's like, you know what?
02:10But I think that he'd do it like this, you know what I mean?
02:15And being able to separate me from who he is, understanding what may be going through his head versus what's going through Joey's head.
02:25So I'm actually glad you said that, man, because I think Younique is a complex character at his core, too.
02:32So being as though the role is something that you help cultivate and you help bring to life, how would you describe Younique for a person that may not be familiar with him?
02:43I'd say he's sharp.
02:44I'd say he's intelligent.
02:47And he's ruthless.
02:50So it was an explosive finale on last season, man.
02:53But I want to know for you personally, what role has forgiveness played in your life?
02:59Forgiveness?
03:00Mm-hmm.
03:00Um, I'd say forgiveness has played a very significant role because I'm a firm believer in forgive but don't forget.
03:10And I think why that quote resonates with me so much is because when we're not forgiving,
03:16we're harboring, we're holding on to energy that no longer suits us, that doesn't serve us, period.
03:27And I feel like there's really no true way to move forward without being able to let that energy go.
03:35So I'm a firm believer in you attract what you are.
03:40So, you know, a lot of the times I feel like people hold on to these grudges and it's hard for them to forgive.
03:49And that only manifests more like situations for them in their life.
03:54The only way to really relieve yourself of that pain is to, of course, grieve through it,
04:01but to ultimately get yourself to a point where you can let it go.
04:06You know, I'm able to say that there's been things that's happened in my life where, you know,
04:11they've not been favorable, they were not nice, but things that people have done to me,
04:18but I was able to forgive them in a way.
04:22And it's more, forgiveness is more about me than it is about the other person.
04:27You know what I'm saying?
04:27It's like, I want you to know that I'm past that.
04:31I want you to know that I've elevated past that.
04:34I want you to know that you don't have a hold on me anymore.
04:38And actually, like, I've set myself free from that.
04:41So though I might have forgiven you, I have not forgotten.
04:45And now I know exactly how to deal with you.
04:49Right.
04:50So working with actors like Bettina Miller, Omar Epps, Tony Danza, the list goes on.
04:57Since you've been on this critically acclaimed show,
04:59what have you learned about yourself as a man and as an actor?
05:03But since I've been on this show, I've learned that as an actor,
05:09I'm able to expand in even more ways than I'd imagine.
05:16And I've learned to trust my instincts.
05:20I've learned to connect to the character on a deeper level.
05:24I want to say this is probably,
05:25this is my favorite role that I've ever played, that I've ever portrayed.
05:31And it allows me to really sink into, you know, who this person is.
05:37I feel like with other roles that I've played,
05:40I hadn't had, I didn't have so much layers to play on, to act on.
05:46So, yeah, you know what I'm saying?
05:48It's done wonders for me as an actor.
05:51And I mean, as a man, this is a man fighting for, ultimately, his freedom.
05:56But when you really think about it,
05:59his surroundings have confined him to a certain state of mind.
06:05But everything about Unique is motivated to free himself from that,
06:11to be able to rule in such a way that there's nothing that can hold him back.
06:17Well, Joey, thank you so much, my brother.
06:19I look forward to the season and much blessings and continued success, man.
06:24No doubt. Thank you.
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