Having established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile rappers in the game over the past decade, Denzel Curry has his eyes set on a future in the film business. Movies have always played a big part in shaping Curry’s persona as an artist, from regular references to anime, horror, sci-fi, and Westerns in his lyrics to their influence on his live performances. He declares that he has to “handle being Denzel Curry the rapper” for now, but also notes that he has ambitions of writing movies at some point in the future.
The rapper recently combined his two passions with his recent collaboration with composer Bobby Krlic (a.k.a The Haxan Cloak) for the soundtrack of the newly released sports horror film HIM with the haunting title track. The movie follows a promising young football player who’s attacked by an unhinged fan and undergoes potentially career-ending brain trauma. When all seems lost, he receives a lifeline when his hero, played by Marlon Wayans, offers to train him at his isolated compound.
With the movie in theaters now, we caught up with Curry to discuss the project and what’s next for him—both within the realm of music and film.
What did you think of HIM when you saw it?
I liked the movie, man. I liked how everything was shot, how everything was put together, the cast, and even the scoring. Shoutout to Bobby Krlic, he put it together and trusted me, Guapdad [4000], and everybody. We couldn’t have asked for anything else.
What were your conversations like with Bobby for your song?
I hadn’t met Bobby or Justin [Tipping, the film’s director] yet. I had met with Jamal [Watson, the film’s producer] and everybody at Universal—they showed me a scene from the movie and I took notes. They told me it would potentially be there, but they ended up putting it in a better spot, honestly. Eventually, we got the score from Bobby and I was like, “Oh shit, this matches what I want to say.” We built around it and that’s how the song came out. So shoutout to them, they gave us complete creative [control].
Did you have this same creative control for Arcane League of Legends?
No, for “Dynasties and Dystopia” they just sent me the beat. There was no creative part for me apart from the verse and the hook. The beat was already there in full.
What did you think of Marlon Wayans’ performance in the movie? He’s such an icon but we see a different side of him in HIM.
Everybody always talks about, “I’ve never seen Marlon in this light.” I’ve never seen Marlon as a villain, but I knew he had the capabilities for a serious role because I’ve seen Requiem for a Dream and Above the Rim. People are thinking about Scary Movie or Naked or White Chicks or Little Man—they’re thinking about the Wayans brothers thing, but they’re bypassing the serious roles that he’s done and nailed. Seeing him in this role, he shows that. Every villain has a sense of comedic relief to them, that’s what makes them charismatic.
“I’m good at making soundtracks to my life, but when it comes down to films, I’d much rather write.”
Denzel Curry
Has working on HIM inspired you to score a movie yourself?
I actually want to write movies, that’s my thing. I’d rather the homies score. If I really trust you with scoring, then you can do it better than me. I’m good at making soundtracks to my life, but when it comes down to films, I’d much rather [write].
Are these the types of horror movies you’ll watch in your spare time?
Yeah, me and my lady will watch that shit. This is our second time watching [HIM] together. The first time we were trying to grasp it; the second time, there were different things that we didn’t even peep.
Do you have a favorite horror movie?
It is one of my favorites! That and Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Laurence Fishburne is in it, Kissin’ Kate Barlow [Patricia Arquette] is in it, and John Saxon is in it. It’s a good one, man.
Do movies influence your live performances, too?
When I did the TA13OO tour, I remember using the score and [dialogue] from Hellraiser and Hellraiser II as parts of the interlude. The movie was crazy, but the scoring was epic and just fit into the dark persona that I was going for when I was making TA13OO. So it played a small part in the creative process.
I loved your recent collaboration with Fred again.., “Victory Lap.” What was it like to work with him on this?
Fred is cool as hell, man. I remember working on that record on tour. I was in Atlanta and I was working on the HIM song that same day, funnily enough. When I did that song, I recorded two verses and sent them to him and he spliced the best parts of those together and that’s how it came about. I eventually met him and I performed it live for him and he loved it. Shoutout to Fred, Fred is cool!
Are you working on new music? If so, what sound are you gravitating toward?
It’s hard to say, but I can tell you that “Strictly for the Scythe” is going to be the next album that comes out. It’s a collaboration between my record label Ultraground and the production group Working on Dying. We joined forces and made a rap group called The Scythe, so it’s going to be tight.
You’ve collaborated with other artists for projects before, but what’s that process been like for an album?
For an album, it’s actually easier. There’s a lot less pressure on me, lyrically. All I’m thinking about is the hooks and how to make it catchy and the production and post-production and who to get on it besides the people who are in the immediate collective. FL
