Denzel Washington has addressed the shock battle in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, an English-language fashionable 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 report govt pressured to confront his privilege and energy when confronted with a ransom plot.
Highest 2 Lowest is Licensed Recent 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 smooth 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’ve been listening to rap music long before A$AP was born. I’ve been up on the music and culture for 40, 50 years.”
Director Lee added that the battle turned out to be one of the crucial electrical and unscripted highlights of Highest 2 Lowest, stating it “lifted the whole film up.” On filming the scene, Lee mentioned: “They were flowing. It was a rap battle! That was gold. That was better than anything written.” Washington quipped: “We were battling!”
Denzel Washington sitting in a practice in Highest 2 Lowest
Highest 2 Lowest marks Denzel Washington and Spike Lee’s first film collaboration since 2006’s Inside Man, and it has formed as much as be a success. Whereas Washington was considerably joking, his rap battle is not only a quirky spotlight; it underscores his connection to the style, enriching the themes of Highest 2 Lowest as an entire along with his ardour.
The ending of Highest 2 Lowest sees a seasoned music govt and a road rapper meet in a lyrical showdown, blurring the traces between efficiency and actuality. The rap battle showcases a metaphorical conflict between inventive generations, with A$AP Rocky’s character conflicting with the legacy of David, and the truth that Washington and Rocky “were flowing” solely provides to the sequence’s impression.
Our Take On Highest 2 Lowest’s Rap Battle
Denzel Washington seems down in Highest 2 Lowest
Washington delivering an excellent unscripted efficiency is the sort 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 big legacy of their respective mediums, it’s good 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
August 15, 2025
Runtime
133 minutes
Writers
Alan Fox, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Ryūzō Kikushima, Eijirō Hisaita, Evan Hunter
Producers
Todd Black, Jason Michael Berman
