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Local News Taboo Gomez: The ‘Jamesy Boy’ Interview B orn in L.A. on July 14, 1975, Jimmy “Taboo” Gomez began dreaming about show business at an early age. The versatile fourple threat is a multilingual rapper, singer, dancer and emcee who got his big break in 1995 when approached by will.i.am to form the Black Eyed Peas. Among the popular hip-hop group’s hits are the Grammy-winning “I Gotta Feeling,” “Let’s Get It Started,” “Boom Boom Pow” and “My Humps,” to name a few. Besides music, Taboo is also the designer of his own line of footwear, Taboo Deltah, and has added acting to his bag of tricks. Here, he talks about his latest outing as Guillermo in “Jamesy Boy”, a fact-based tale of redemption co-starring Ving Rhames, James Woods and Spencer Lofran- co. Although he wants to make more movies in the future, he is currently focused on his own solo album releasing later in the year, as well as on an upcoming tour with the Black Eyed Peas. Kam Williams: Hi Taboo, thanks for another interview. Taboo: Thank you. KW: Like last time, I’ll be mixing in my questions, with some from my readers. How did you get interested you in acting? T: Well, I had actually been taking acting classes prior to joining the Black Eyed Peas in ‘96. In fact, I originally thought it was going to be my introduction to the enter- tainment world, because Black Eyed Peas was more of a local, L.A. underground band. I kept up with the acting classes as a safety net, until we took off a couple of years later, after the release of our first album. Once we started touring, I had to put acting on hold, although I still wanted to act. Fast-forward to 2005, when I made my feature film debut playing a character named Ramirez in “Dirty”, with Cuba Gooding, Jr., Clifton Collins, Wyclef [Jean] and a couple other people. Then I did a movie called “Cosmic Radio” and, after that, one called “Streetfighter”. And now, “Jamesy Boy.' KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: What drew you to the story of James Burns and what is your perception of him? T: The reason I got the movie is because my acting coach presented the script to me, and I fell in love with the role of Guillermo. I’m a big James Woods fan, so when I found out he was already attached to the film, I C O M C ELEBRITY I NTERVIEW by Kam Williams was sold. KW: Patricia also asks: How did you pre- pare to play Guillermo? T: I really wanted to challenge myself, so that I wouldn’t just be Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas up on the big screen. I did some- thing that’s a no-no in the music industry. I cut my hair. For years, my hair was my stamp. “Oh, that’s the long-haired guy from the Black Eyed Peas.” But when I did it, it was like a breath of fresh air. So, I immersed myself into the character Guiller- mo to the fullest, with intense power, since I wanted to show the world that I’d go that extra mile because I believe in this project and in my acting abilities so much, and because I want to continue to do films. KW: Well, you definitely disappeared into the role. I barely recognized you. T: Thanks, Kam. That’s what I want to hear. I love when people say that. KW: Did you base your character on a hardened convict you know? T: Guillermo was kind of a reflection of my family, on my dad’s side. My father came from a gang lifestyle. My brother, who passed away last year, God rest his soul, had been in prison for many years. He had the bald head, the tattoos, and served as an inspiration for Guillermo, being the clos- U N I T est person to me in prison and living that hard lifestyle. But also, there was an insecu- rity I saw in him that I brought to Guillermo who was a bully and antagonistic as a defense mechanism. KW: Sorry to hear about your brother. I do remember how in your autobiography you credited your grandmother for saving you from the streets. T: Yeah, if it wasn’t for her and my mom taking me away from that lifestyle, my life would’ve gone in a totally different direc- tion. When my mom divorced my dad, she introduced me to a new world. I’m blessed that I had a strong grandmother who gave me a second chance at life. So, I owe her a lot. I really wanted to challenge myself, so that I wouldn’t just be Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas up on the big screen M Taboo with Spencer Lofranco in ‘Jamesy Boy’ ly? T: I’ve been talking about it since 2008, but my first single is finally coming out in April, “Dumbao.” It’s dedicated to the World Cup. I’m Latino-American, and I wanted to do something that best represents my culture. So, I created this song that’s in Spanish, but has the pulse, rhythm and beat of a Black Eyed Peas song. KW: What interested you in linking the release to the World Cup? T: I supported the World Cup four years ago with the Black Eyed Peas, and I fell in love with the atmosphere so much that when I learned that the next one was going to be in Brazil, I love Brazil so much that I was like, “I gotta be there! I gotta create an anthem that will go hand-in-hand with the World Cup.” And that’s what I did. KW: Jamesy Boy had a pretty impressive cast, including veterans like James Woods and Ving Rhames. T: They were all great people. I worked mostly with James Woods, Spencer [Lofranco] and Ben [Rosenfield]. We had a really good time both on and off the set. I enjoyed working with Trevor [director Trevor White], too. I was able to hang out with him as friends, go to the clubs, and hear his stories. It was a great opportunity to work with such a great cast and crew and to make some new friends. KW: Since we’re on the subject of music, what was the last song you listened to? T: You’re gonna laugh at me, dude, because I have a 2 year-old and a 4 year-old who are heavily into movie soundtracks. For some reason, we’ve watched Despica- KW: What’s going on with you musical- See TABOO on page 8 Y C A L E N KW: I loved that album, “Timeless,” that you recorded down in Brazil with Sergio Mendes. T: Thank you, that was great. D A R S EATTLE 2014 Community Center, 719 8th Ave. S. Seattle, WA. Tuesday January 28 Friday January 24 If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com FLY FISHING UNIVERSITY. Learn to fly fish. Instructors will go over fly rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippets and flies. Space is limited, please call 360-474- 4880 to reserve a spot. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tulalip Cabela’s, 9810 Quill Ceda Blvd. Tulalip, WA. NATURE KIDS PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE. 3 – 4 p.m. The classroom will be open for families to preview and the teachers will be on hand to answer questions. Discovery Park, 3801 W. Government Way, Seattle, WA. Thursday January 30 Saturday January 25 Thursday January 23 PARKS LEGACY PLAN PUBLIC MEETING. 6 – 8 p.m. The Parks Legacy Citizens Advisory Committee is developing a package for a future ballot measure to pay for parks and recreation projects. International District/Chinatown Page 2 The Seattle Skanner January 22, 2014 HEADBANGER’S BALL. Don’t just sit there banging your head against the wall. Come out to the woods and join some naturalists to explore the wonderful, wild and wacky world of woodpeckers. This program is for children 8 years and older. FREE! Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW. Seattle, WA. SWEETHEART BOUNCEFEST. Bring your little sweetheart to Bouncefest. Carnival games, face painting, carnival tickets .50 ea. Or you may purchase an unlimited wristband. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Loyal Heights Community Center, 2101 NW 7th St. Seattle, WA
