Jamal "Gravy" Woolard (born July 8, 1975) is an American actor and rapper. He portrayed rapper The Notorious B.I.G. in the film Notorious,[1] and reprised the role as a supporting character in the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez on Me.
Jamal Woolard | |
|---|---|
 Woolard in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 8, 1975 |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, rapper |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Dirty Money Records / Warner Bros. Records |
Life and career
editWoolard is from Bensonhurst Brooklyn and Lafayette Gardens, Brooklyn.[2] He joined the group Da Franchise, which consisted of Red Café and Q Da Kid and were signed by Violator Records. The group released the 2000 single "We Gotta Eat".[3] In real life he raps under the name "Gravy". He is featured in the song "Untouchable" by Tupac Shakur on the Pac's Life album. He had to add over 50 pounds to his frame to play The Notorious B.I.G. in the film Notorious.
Woolard was previously known for being shot near radio station Hot 97 on 26 April 2006 and giving an interview on the Funkmaster Flex show directly afterwards.[4] His music was later banned from play at the station as a result of a policy that bans "music by any artist who is involved in an altercation at the station."[5]
In 2016, he starred in the movie Barbershop: The Next Cut as Marquese. Woolard reprised his role as The Notorious B.I.G. in All Eyez on Me, a biopic about Tupac Shakur, which was released in June 2017.[6][7][8]
Mixtapes
edit- Hell Up In Harlem (Hosted by DJ Kay Slay) (2005)
- Who Shot Mayor Goonberg? Polotics As Usual Vol.1 (2006)
- Mayor Goonberg Visits Africa (2006)
- The Come Up Mixtape (2006)
- THE COME UP Mixtape: In Da Trap (2006)
- N.Y. Target (2007)
- Brooklyn Capo (The Come Up Rockstar ED 4) (2007)
- Guess Who's Back (The Official Best Of Gravy) (2007)
- Notorious Classics (2008)
- Gravy: Without A Doubt (2008)
- Notorious Gravy (2009)
- Don't Think Its All Gravy [feat. DJ O.P. & Dirty Money] (2015)
Select filmography
edit- Notorious (2009)
- Battle Scars (2015)
- Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
- All Eyez on Me (2017)
- City of Lies (2018)
- Trust Nobody (2021)
- Crossover (2021)
- Trust Nobody 2 (2023)
- Crossover 2: The Revenge (2023)
- Dutch 2 (2023)
- Trust Nobody 3 (2024)
- Memphganistan (TBA)
Awards and nominations
edit- BET Awards
- 2009: Best Actor, Nominated
- Black Reel Awards
- 2010: Best Breakthrough Performance (Notorious), Nominated
- 2010: Best Ensemble (Notorious), Nominated
References
edit- ^ "Jamal Woolard is 'Notorious' – Cinematical". Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ^ Kam Williams (2009-01-08). "Jamal Woolard: The Notorious Interview". KamWilliams.com. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Da Franchise Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor..." AllMusic.
- ^ "The Role of Notorious B.I.G. to Be Played by That Guy Who Got Shot in the Ass". March 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 18, 2006). "Gravy Wonders Why Hot 97 Banned Him, Not 50, After Shooting". MTV.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2006. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ^ McNary, Dave (24 December 2015). "Tupac Biopic Casts Lead Roles for Shakur, Biggie Smalls". Variety. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ Kent, Chloe (27 December 2015). "The Tupac Biopic Has Cast Its Lead & The Movie Sounds So Promising". Bustle. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Tupac Shakur biopic casts lookalike as lead actor". The Express Tribune. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
External links
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