Lethal Weapon is back in a big way and fab actor Dante Brown, a multi-faceted creative hybrid who acts, raps and innovates all with equal dexterity, is a huge reason why. Based on the iconic 1987 film, Lethal Weapon is now a FOX network television series created by the film’s originator Shane Black. As per usual, LAPD detectives Roger Murtaugh (Damon Wayans Sr.) and Martin Riggs (Clayne Crawford) are chasing the bad guys around Tinseltown. Brown plays Murtaugh’s son RJ, slightly rebellious but always loyal, coming into his own, and forever down to have dad’s back.
Written by ToneSwep
Images by Isaac Sterling
Brown has been working full-time in the entertainment industry his entire life, impressive given the fact that even seasoned actors often find it a struggle to land consistent work. As a baby, Brown was modeling for Sears and Keebler, headlining their child campaigns. By age five he was handpicked by Oprah Winfrey from an audition of more than 500 child actors, and was soon featured on the Jay Leno-hosted “Amazing Kids” segment of the legendary media magnate’s show. The precocious kid with the charismatic smile and unlimited energy showcased his talents in comedy, acting and dance, compelling Winfrey to declare Brown one of her “all-time smartest and most talented kids”. Brown has since co-starred in a number of critically acclaimed movies and TV series including Lifetime’s “America”, NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”, TNT’s “The Last Ship”, CBS’ “NCIS”, and the feature film “Won’t Back Down” opposite Oscar nominated Emmy winner Viola Davis. Earlier this summer Brown was busy as usual on set as one of the lead characters in the highly anticipated new film “Black Doves”.
In addition to acting, Brown also records music under the moniker DanteThePoet. He is currently working on a new mixtape, called “Bipolar”, and will soon be releasing a new clothing line. As if movies and music weren’t keeping the heady taste-maker busy enough, Brown also co-created the popular web series “Talking with The Brown Boys“, and likes to develop online content in an effort to connect with and uplift his teen constituents. Yup, the guy is DOPE. The young, fly and affluent fella with the millionaire mindset chilled out with editor Tone Swep to talk favorite actors, musical influences, vintage shades, and what may be the illest birthday party of all-time.
(Tone Swep: TS) How did you land on Oprah’s radar at only 5-years-old?
(Dante Brown: Dante) One of my Mom’s Sorority Sisters, whom we call Auntie Denise, worked for Ms. Winfrey at the time. She called my Mom and told her that The Oprah Show was holding auditions for kids to be on with Jay Leno - he was coming on to promote his new book at the time, How To Be The Funniest Kid In Your Class. I had to learn to tell jokes to audition and I remember being in line for a really long time, so long that I took a nap and woke up to some good Chicago pizza that The Oprah Show had bought all of us (Laughs!). There must have been probably about 500 or so of us auditioning, and they only chose three kids, me being one! For my audition, I went into this dark comedy club, told my jokes, danced a little bit, left and didn’t think much of it. But then I remember a couple of days later being super excited when my Mom told me that a driver was coming to pick us up and take us to the show. I felt big time, boy! We found the perfect joke and now when I hear people tell that joke, I tell them: ‘I made that joke the joke it is today’ (Laughs!).
(TS) How does it feel to be co-starring in the television version of such an iconic film franchise as Lethal Weapon?
(Dante) It’s amazing! It feels unreal sometimes and I try to stay even keel. I’ve learned that you can have all the right components, the right cast, the right directors, the right writers, and if the fans don’t vibe with it? It won’t work. You never know what will happen in this crazy industry, you just have to enjoy the ride. So far, what I realize is that being a part of Lethal Weapon is a young actor’s dream! I’ve been cast in a few pilots, one that didn’t see the light of day at all and one that was short lived over the summer, so this is really a dream come true. I realize not everyone will get this type of opportunity, so I’m just taking it all in and working as hard as I can, making sure I bring it and enjoying every minute of it.
(TS) Describe Roger Murtaugh Jr. as a character? What type of guy is he? How does he differ from you, and what are the similarities between you and your screen role?
(Dante) Roger Murtaugh Jr. is a very straight laced intelligent kid who is not a trouble maker of any kind. He is a very clean cut kid, working towards his Ivy League status, or at least that has been his whole life up until now. Throughout the season, you’ll see him stretching his wings, living life a little bit more, exploring, growing and loosening his collar a bit. RJ (his character) differs from me in that I’m more of a creative-type, definitely more edgy and cool. There are similarities, like we’re both smart kids, we both like interjecting our opinions into conversations, giving often times unsolicited but helpful advice, and overall we’re both good kids with great hearts.
(TS) How is it working with Damon Wayans? He’s a very accomplished actor. My favorite film of his is Major Payne.
(Dante) Working with Mr. Damon is like having a second father, but no shade to my amazing real life Dad (Laughs!). Mr. Damon’s a super cool Uncle and a great mentor on set. I’m always asking questions and he gives me a lot of life lessons. He really shares a lot of wisdom with me, like - when you’re on top, how to stay on top, and the importance of staying focused. We’re always chatting it up on breaks and you better believe I’m taking serious notes. What Mr. Damon shares is a lot of help for a kid like me because even though I’ve put in a lot of time, and worked in this industry for the most part all of my life, I’m still young. He also helps me think about maintaining my smarts, keeping a level head, and the importance of ownership. I’m almost always asking for his advice on how to go about doing things in the industry or asking him about some experiences he’s had. He’s very open about sharing his mistakes and letting me know what and what not to do. I feel really blessed to have this type of connection and growing relationship with him. Mr. Damon is also a really funny dude that keeps us laughing.
(TS) I interviewed actor Justin Hires recently. He stars in TV’s “Rush Hour”, another iconic film franchise turned television series. Justin explained the pressure of following a big success like Rush Hour. Do you feel any such pressure trying to take Lethal Weapon’s show to that next level as well?
(Dante) Yes and no. I will say yes because as a teenager, to be apart of an iconic franchise is just like whoa! Working with such a stellar cast, crew, team of writers and directors, when you see the final product, you’re like amazed. Just the thought of it can be a little heavy, but as my Dad constantly reminds me, to whom much is given much is expected, so I operate with that in mind and allow God to handle the rest. This is the type of show that can take my career to another level. This profession I’ve chosen is one that calls for us to always be in the public eye, but I’m learning to keep a bit of my life private and not just be out there. I believe a decent part of our show will focus on the family aspect a little bit more than the movie, and the goal is that the pilot will reacquaint us with the classics of the film. As the show progresses, it will take on its own new meaning, making it more modern. Thinking about it sometimes makes me a little antsy but I’m also gonna say no, because this is my job as an actor. As a young professional, it’s my goal to always simply do my best, to come prepared to every table read and set, to make sure I’m keeping up with my academics, and when on-camera, to take whatever the writer and directors envision and bring it to life. Once I’ve done that, that’s all that I can do, so why worry when you’ve given one hundred percent? I’m confident that viewers will immediately love or grow to love the show. Quality entertainment. A great blend of action, comedy, fun and heart.
(TS) What initially drew you into a career as an actor? Was their a specific movie or character that inspired you to become an actor?
(Dante) I was very young when I started acting, like around two-or-three-years-old. I rocked a huge Afro and chubby cheeks. Everywhere we would go, people would ask my Mom if I was in commercials or in kids catalogs. My Mom always said no, until one lady said, ‘if you’re always getting asked, then maybe you should give it a shot’. She showed my Mom what was needed for the cover letter to submit to the Chicago talent agents, where to go for baby head shots, and within a week after mailing all of that off to various agencies, all of the Chicago talent agents were calling my Mom and sending me out on auditions. I booked my first national commercial within the first month of getting started, and as they say - the rest is history (Laughs!). There weren’t really any actors that I would say I admired at that young age, as my Moms had the TV locked on Sesame Street. For a long time though, my TV time was very, very limited. we would always catch a good movie. But even at a young age, I knew I always loved music, dancing or moving or whatever you call it at that age (Laughs!). But I used to play my Lil Bow Wow CD and DVD so much that I’d cry if someone turned it off. Shad Moss was definitely someone I looked up to, especially after “Like Mike” came out. But for the past several years, since my parents started allowing me to watch what they call ‘the classics’, and a bit of Rated R for research purposes only of course (Laughs!). I would say Will Smith and of course Denzel Washington are my favorites. I started in the entertainment industry so young and have enjoyed every minute of acting, dancing, rapping, and beat-boxing. This is something that I do, have always done and plan to continue as long as I can. My prayer is always that God continues blessing me with great opportunities.
(TS) Describe your style gear-wise. What might we find Dante rockin’ on any given day? J’s, Timbs, designers, indie brands?
(Dante) I’m a huge fashion geek and of course it depends on the occasion. In the winter on a normal day, I’m rocking hoodies from CDG, Stussy, and Billionaire Boys Club with slim fitted jeans or bottoms from Urban Outfitters or TopShop Man, H&M or Zara’s. I like crazy colored socks with DOPE designs and Dad hats (Laughs!). In the spring and summer you can catch me rocking bright, high shorts with vintage tees, rings, chains and vintage glasses. I just started a vintage glasses collection. I’ve found a few gold mines at a couple of thrift stores too, the locations are a secret (Laughs!). At about 13 or 14, I launched my first clothing line, it was called ShellBuster - I dig fashion a lot. You can see the gear I made on the ShellBuster Facebook page. I shopped for the fabric, sewed myself, made the patterns, all that good stuff with my mentor, Ms. Nicole Butler of Designer Kids Project. I’m always sketching, so I can’t wait to find the right partner for my next venture. Since my acting career’s keeping me pretty busy right now, I’ll definitely need help launching my vision. Seriously, call me Urban Outfitters, H&M, TopShop or Zara’s! You won’t be sorry (Laughs!)!
(TS) Name three attributes the ideal Dante Brown girl must possess.
(Dante) Oh man, my ideal girl has to have a great sense of humor, she has to be intelligent, and have a strong sense of fashion because we always have to be fly together. Ok wait, Tone, three wasn’t enough (Laughs!). I have to add that she must be focused and have a lot of passion.
(TS) You rap under the moniker Dante The Poet. How long have you been rappin’? Who were some of your musical influences? Describe the style of music you make.
(Dante) I’ve been writing poems since I was in about the 3rd or 4th grade, but you can find YouTube videos of me rapping when I was about two or three. I really started taking my music seriously when I was in 8th grade. My Dad sent me all of his home studio equipment from Chicago, and I taught myself to record and produce. Once my Mom saw that I was being consistent and really wanted to get better, she found me a mentor, Mr. Haskel Jackson. I worked with him for a couple of sessions, but then I got busy with acting. Last summer, I was accepted into The Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Camp and spent 10 days at the USC campus learning about their audio engineering track, in which I landed a summer internship with my mentors of Press Play, Joshua and Vincent Berry. Vince is known for co-writing Beyonce’s Sandcastles. Now I have my own studio set up in my closet and get to record in the pro studio when I have the chance. I’d say my biggest music influence is Kanye. His concerts, props, and merchandise… he knows how to do it right! And I love his fashion, too. Another influence would be Kendrick Lamar, because I like his flow and lyrics and his love for poetry. Also Childish Gambino and I can’t leave out Tyler the Creator. If I could collaborate with all these guys it would be an ultimate dream come true. My style of music is a combo of rap with a fast tempo, with something you can get into and even dance to. I love to give off an old school flavor, but with a modern beat. I feel my message is clear - you don’t need drugs and violence. I talk about young love and life as it’s progressing and the many experiences it presents.
(TS) When you hear the name Dante Brown 10 years from now, what will it mean in terms of his Hollywood career to that point?
(Dante) That’s a good question. If I had a looking glass into my future, I would want my name to have the same effect as Will Smith’s, Denzel Washington’s and my TV Dad’s family, The Wayans. Just to be mentioned in the same breath as these guys would be an absolute honor. At 27, I’d like to have built a strong body of work that’s qualitative. Like Will Smith and The Wayans Bros, I’d like to have a production company with projects ranging from TV to film, drama, comedy, and of course dealing with music licensing and placement; mine of course and maybe even my label mates, as well as dabbling in animation. I started writing what I thought was a movie over the summer, but it turned out to be an animated series, which I’m super excited about! I can’t wait for the world to check it out.
(TS) Your 17th birthday is next month. What are your plans?
(Dante) I’m hoping to have a concert to show off some new music! I have so many talented friends, too! Young artists on the rise that the world will definitely be hearing more of. I plan to launch a monthly concert series, DanteThePoet + Friends - I’m in the process of seeking sponsors. For my 17th birthday, I would love to rock out with my family, friends, and fans. Anyone interested in coming to party with us should stay plugged in to my social media. I’ll be announcing all of the details in the coming weeks.