Denzel Washington has addressed the shock battle in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, an English-language trendy reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s Excessive and Low set towards the pulsating backdrop of New York’s music scene. The movie stars Washington as David King, a rich document govt pressured to confront his privilege and energy when confronted with a ransom plot.
Highest 2 Lowest is Licensed Contemporary on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring 91% since its theatrical launch on Aug. 15, and is gearing as much as hit Apple TV+ on Sept. 5. However past the tense plot and glossy visuals, there is a shock rap battle within the movie’s closing act, between Washington and A$AP Rocky’s Yung Felon, which has everybody buzzing.
In an interview with Leisure Weekly, Washington addressed the rap battle scene in Highest 2 Lowest. When requested if the actor picked up any pointers from rapper and co-star A$AP Rocky, Washington acknowledged: “I have been listening to rap music lengthy earlier than A$AP was born. I have been up on the music and tradition for 40, 50 years.“
Director Lee added that the battle turned out to be some of the electrical and unscripted highlights of Highest 2 Lowest, stating it “lifted the entire movie up.” On filming the scene, Lee mentioned: “They have been flowing. It was a rap battle! That was gold. That was higher than something written.” Washington quipped: “We have been battling!“
Highest 2 Lowest marks Denzel Washington and Spike Lee’s first film collaboration since 2006’s Inside Man, and it has formed as much as be a success. Whereas Washington was considerably joking, his rap battle is not only a quirky spotlight; it underscores his connection to the style, enriching the themes of Highest 2 Lowest as an entire together with his ardour.
The ending of Highest 2 Lowest sees a seasoned music govt and a road rapper meet in a lyrical showdown, blurring the traces between efficiency and actuality. The rap battle showcases a metaphorical conflict between inventive generations, with A$AP Rocky’s character conflicting with the legacy of David, and the truth that Washington and Rocky “have been flowing” solely provides to the sequence’s influence.
Our Take On Highest 2 Lowest’s Rap Battle
Washington delivering a superb unscripted efficiency is the form of factor that elevates Highest 2 Lowest from a compelling thriller to a cultural touchstone. Though Washington’s feedback had a touch of humor behind them, they’re very true, as attested to by Lee’s personal recollection of the scene, showcasing Washington’s freestyle skills, regardless of the A-lister entering into unscripted territory.
Contemplating Washington and Rocky have a major legacy of their respective mediums, it’s sensible to see how they conflict in Highest 2 Lowest‘s ending rap battle. Lee is aware of a factor or two about letting moments breathe, and this solely demonstrates how the very best scenes can typically come from the liberty given to the actors, or on this case, musicians.
Highest 2 Lowest
7/10
- Launch Date
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August 15, 2025
- Runtime
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133 minutes
- Writers
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Alan Fox, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Ryūzō Kikushima, Eijirō Hisaita, Evan Hunter
- Producers
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Todd Black, Jason Michael Berman