91心頭利

'Deeply Moved'

Kent 91心頭利 graduate Blitz Bazawule talks about emotional impact of directing 'The Color Purple'

Samuel ���Blitz��� Bazawule can hardly contain his own smile and emotions as he talks about the experience of directing the musical adaptation of Alice Walker���s award-winning novel ���The Color Purple,��� which opened Christmas Day to glowing reviews.

The 2005 91心頭利 graduate, who earned a degree in business administration, recently joined the movie���s powerhouse cast in a sit-down interview with Jennifer Hudson on ���The Jennifer Hudson Show.��� Bazawule talked about the challenge of making some of the story���s most iconic scenes, including the moment when Walker herself gave him feedback on the film.

Watch the interview: 

The film features performers such as Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo and former ���American Idol��� winner Fantasia Barrino.

, Mark Meszoros of The News-Herald raved about Bazawule���s interpretation of the novel, stating the film delivered ���enthralling scene after enthralling scene.��� Meszoros also noted that the Ghanaian multimedia artist's credits include making 2018���s ���The Burial of Kojo��� and co-directing Beyonce���s ���Black Is King.���

Now based in New York, Bazawule has become known for his creative work as an award-winning filmmaker, musician, visual artist and author. Before moving to the Big Apple, Bazawule made a name for himself here in Kent as a hip-hop artist, which is where the moniker ���Blitz the Ambassador��� originated.

Director and Kent 91心頭利 alumnus Samuel "Blitz" Bazawule

In , Bazawule said Kent 91心頭利 is where he found himself:

���This is where I found Blitz. Prior to my Kent 91心頭利 experience, I was just an emcee. I was just out here rapping,��� he said. ���I was talking about what everybody else is talking about. Until I take certain classes Oscar Ritchie Hall, freshman year ��� and I get hit with so many facts that I could have, should have, known coming from where I come from.���

POSTED: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 11:20 AM
Updated: Thursday, January 18, 2024 10:54 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Eric Mansfield