Julius Basquait: FADER Interview

Story By: Kerry Jetton

Posted: December 1, 2011 7:38 AM IN FILM

In the Chinatown district of the Big Apple, Julius Basquiat stuffs udon noodles in his mouth like he performed a month long food sabbatical. "What?" He laughs looking up from his bowl "This sh#t is good, try it." As ubiquitous as the biracial actor is, dipping his hands in nearly every channel of celebrity: the male face of Chanel, blue chip model for runways and editorials, Lady Gaga's edgy beau in Kiss the Sun and an Academy Award winning actor, Julius still carries a mystique with him that celebrities this day and age don't have the privilege of having. We caught up with Julius at the Japanese restaurant Dim Mak on his lunch hour to interview him for the first time since his death, resurrection and disappearance.

Tell us what you've been up to since your "disappearance"

JULIUS: I won't address the directly situation, but I was basically pulling myself together after being ripped apart. Y'know? It was crazy for me more than the millions of people who watched it happen. I was numb to all the backlash I got for it. In that moment I didn't care about anything. It's sounds cruel, but I didn't I was a zombie. I remembered how to react to things, but it wasn't how I felt. It wasn't real. And I don't want to cheapen the craft with this, but I was acting my way through it. For the most part I pretended to be happy. I wasn't mad, depressed or confused--just numb. And it was exhausting. I'm alive now though. In both context.

Fast forward to now, what's your next move?

JULIUS: Education. I moved to New York with my friend Simon [Kafka], found a place in the LES and enrolled into NYU. I start January.

So the phone calls from Clint Eastwood and Johnny Depp about their Korangal Valley film were rumors?

JULIUS: [Laughing] What the f#ck? How did you know?

Johnny Depp spoke on it.

JULIUS: Well in that case. Yes and no. I spoke to Johnny and Clint, but they called to check up on me--light the fire under my ass. Good people.

No talk about doing a role for their film?

JULIUS: I know as much about that as you do. [Smiling]

At University, what do you plan on studying?

JULIUS: Film, Creative Writing and English. I plan on getting my Bachelors for Creative Writing at the end of the next year. Hell, I think growth [education] is the sweetest success you can get in life. F#ck money. [Snickering]

So acting isn't quite out of the picture?

JULIUS: No, not at all. I love acting. But I think I hit a peak and I need to expand--I always wanted to direct and write my own films. I do it now, but I need the proper training before I nurture bad habits. It's amateur...but real dope.

How is your family doing through all this?

JULIUS: [Smiling] My family is supportive--calling and emailing 24/7. They're involved more than they were prior to all this. My mom actually worked as a seamstress at a Mik Cire show I did a few days ago. Blatantly creeping on me [Laughing]. We're good.

You're back in modeling too?

JULIUS: Yeah, I plan on juggling school and modeling. I can get quicker money from the modeling. I gotta pay bills too, Kerry. [Laughing]

Would you let your girlfriend wear Kanye West's new women's line?

JULIUS: [Laughing] Can you rephrase that question to, 'What do you think of Kanye's clothing line'

What do you think of Kanye West's clothing line?

It was...courageous. [Smiling]

One thing you do vocalize about you family is your relation to WWE star Sean Watanabe, what do you think about his sudden release?

JULIUS: I always thought UFC was his circuit anyway. But he's doing great.

Why the move from LA to New York?

JULIUS: New York is easier for me to study and work. I can kill three birds with one stone. My classes are here, my agency is here and this is the modeling capital--in America.

This is going wonderful, but i can only ask two more questions? What are your top 5 things at the moment?

JULIUS: This food. [Laughs] Alex Lopez. Gold chains. Ernest Hemingway. And You. [Smiling]

Who is Alex Lopez?

JULIUS: The world isn't ready for Alex. Yet.

With school and modeling, what's next for acting?

JULIUS: I got a few scripts in the mail, but I don't plan on doing full time any time soon. I'll pop up on the screen every now and then though. Stay tuned.

I managed to establish a few things portraying it in my post in RPG's and the threads, but here's all the info.  And this is also for viners who don't know my character or don't know the changes I made. I'm afraid to call it a retcon, just a blurred origin I made clearer.  
  
 

The Golden Child

The first child of Johto and Carmen Essex, Marcellus was born with high expectations. Become a mutant. His father was an Air Marshal of the United States Air Force and his mother was a nurse and occasional seamstress. His father planned for Marcellus to become the perfect weapon; and, when his eyes flickered emerald one night as his mother put him in his crib, his father put his plans into action. Johto partnered with his younger brother, Geneticist Yashima Essex and created Project MERCURY. They received the funds and support from the United States Government and were relocated to an estate on the outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. 

At the age of four, Marcellus became the first and only subject of Project MERCURY. Johto mentored him with military knowledge and skills: tactics, gun training, logistics, strategy and weapons were listed. Yashima taught him Jeet Kune Do exclusively. Marcellus believed he was destined for great things and he trained with enthusiasm.  Five years old and a year into his rigorous training, the United States wanted to record his progress. One of the clearances was signs of mutant power. Marcellus passed every test the Government officers required of him, but he failed to exude any power. The President demanded Marc to reveal his power within the next year or Project MERCURY would be terminated. Three months later, Yashima created a hormone drug that accelerated Shinji's puberty internally. Marcellus didn't understand the hormones or sudden growth, but he did understand his power. Yashima began teaching Shinji how to control his energy manipulation and Project MERCURY continued. 

In '98, Yashima took Marc on his first government mission in Bangkok, Thailand. The government tracked one of hundreds of mutant traffickers throughout the world. This man was named Shan Kim and he was staying in a hotel in Yaowarat Road. Marcellus watched as his uncle snapped Shan Kim's neck. But, before Shan died he compared his customers to Yashima and Johto stating they were no different. His second government mission he was ordered to execute all enemies. They were briefed and were flown to the southwestern coast of Yemen. Al-Qaeda militants had bombed a US submarine ship and made a swift retreat to Aden, Yemen. They ambushed the abandoned apartment the militants hid in and killed them all. Expectantly, Marc killed three of the terrorist with no hesitation.

Marc continued these deadly mission until the new millennium, a year after his brother Jimi was born. His mother realized his cold and disconnected attitude towards life and demanded Johto withdraw Marc from Project MERCURY. Instead of shutting down Project MERCURY, Carmen enrolled him in guitar, acting and surfing classes in Kyoto to surround him with children aiming to give him a normal childhood. He befriended an American boy named Blake Hunter; he gave Marc the nickname "Frank Ocean".  Marc childish behavior surfaced naturally. A year later, Blake left Japan without notice. Marc continued his surfing and singing classes, but ceased to make progress on his apathetic attitude. 

Powers 

Abilities

Paraphernalia 

Weaknesses

Affiliations (Chronological) 

Career

Private Life

"Of course, I believe in commitment,  being faithful. But I don't believe in marriage because I don't believe in divorce. I'd take the wedding ceremony to celebrate love without all the legal papers to validate it. It doesn't make you love someone more. Just guarantees you have to pay money if you want to go your separate ways."

Filmography

 Television

Cameo Appearances

Music Videos

After settling in Utopia and faking his death, Marc was reborn as Julius Basquait. He lived a quieter life, a normal life. Working in retail at H&M and dealing with normal people problems. To keep his residence in Utopia and "expensive taste",  he aligned himself with Jean Luc Lebeau as a Rosasi Sand.  Things weren't depressing outside of the Rosasi life, but they were dull and lonely. Theo, his best friend, still lived in their Los Angeles house. Marc visited him briefly to explain his fake death plan then returned to Africa. His now pregnant and estranged girlfriend, Maya, never picked up his phone calls. His job at H&M got boring, quick. Marc needed more than a new name, he needed change. 
On another boring night shift at H&M, a model-esque Sudanese woman graced the store. Thick and straight black hair, long legs and an aura that commanded attention. Every human in that H&M store had their eyes on her. Snobs and all. Marc's hipster co-workers clamored for her attention, trying to get sales. Smiling, she brushed past them and greeted Marc. She caught him off-guard. He saw her coming, but he figured she'd walk past him. Finally,  Marc introduced himself as Julius and she said her name was 'Kileena Mali'. Rare name. He asked her one of the mandatory employee to customer questions. "Can I help you find anything?"
Marc didn't know, Kileena Mali was going change his life. She fished for info on Marc. "Do you want to model, can you sing, do you act?" Marc stared at her dumbfounded then finally replied, "I uhh . . .act . . . a little". She laughed throwing her head back and rested her smooth hand on his shoulder, "You're an actor and I'm your agent".
"Quit your job ". At this point all eyes were on them. Marc looked at his baffled manger then back at this captivating women in front of him. She seemed like an angel. Something in her eyes aroused strong feelings. He believed she was serious and he believed she believed in him. It seemed foolish, but Marc was seduced. She won him over.
  "Seth, I quit". The audience started to murmur under their breath. A few were bold enough to speak out loud. "Oh, What an idiot.", "Gosh, he's lucky", "I'm putting this on youtube!"  What was Marc thinking?
As they left H&M into the warm African air, the shoppers and his co workers started pointing cameras and phones. Some flashes, some bleeps, clicks, "Julius, look over here!". Marc ignored the crowd and followed Kileena out H&M.  His logic went to work. " I can't be an actor,  somebody'll recognize me, " Marc wanted to turn back. 
They started walking down the popular street, Opalinia Boulevard. Everybody carried shopping bags and/or took pictures of the shops around them. Celebrities and people with loads  of money shopped here. Marc shopped here at least once a month.
Kileena started talking. "You're second guessing yourself, you want go back in that store and beg for your job back.I don't expect you to trust me, but do.". She smiled back at Marc over her shoulder. "Dev Patel, Emile Hirsch, Kila Fukashima,  Tom Hardy, Jay Chou...." 
"Some successful actors and actresses," Marc thought. 
"....I help craft them and launch their careers", Kileena didn't look back this time, but Marc saw her cheeks poke out. She was smiling. 
They walked into an open  food court, shaded by the skyscrapers surrounding it. A breeze picked up and Kileena's hair and purple floral sundress blew with the wind. On her left shoulder, she lifted her black Chanel purse closer to her long neck. Walking towards them , a blonde haired women beamed at Kileena and complimented her dress. She gasped before she talked.  "That's Versace, oh my god I love it! You wear it so well " Kileena smiled,  thanked her and they continued going opposite directions.  "Versace...", Marc whispered under his breath, still confused at the entire situation. It became unreal by the second. If this was real, Marc didn't understand what she wanted with him. Why would she randomly want to be his agent. She didn't see any of his acting talent. This women was no joke, she wore Versace. 
They sat across from each other by two tall palm trees and coin fountain. Kilenna set her purse on the table, the Chanel symbol glinted in Marc's eyes. He squinted his eyes as Kileena pulled a thick stack of paper. 
"I got this script in the mail last week.", she slid the stack across to Marc. He read the front page......

Spring Snow (2011)


Directed by Fernando Meirelles


  Written by Yukio Mishima (Novel) and Christopher Hamilton (Screenplay)

Tessa, 
You can thank Marcellus Essex for your approaching death!

 - Mr. Killjoy

THE MURDERER OF THE STEREOTYPES

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS NOT LIKE THE MAJORITY DOESN’T MEAN THEIR CRAZY.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS FROM THE HOOD IT DOESN’T MEAN THEIR GANGTER, A THUG OR STREET SMART.

JUST BECAUSE A GIRL LIKES TO FLIRT, HAVE FUN, PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO HER AND SHE’S COMFORTABLE WITH HER SEXUALITY DOESN’T MEAN SHE’S A HOE. (AS MEN WE NEED TO BE MORE SECURE AND NOT BE AFRAID OF THE OUT GOING FREE, WOMAN. IT IS VERY SEXY TO HAVE A WOMAN THAT EVERYBODY WANTS)

JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE WALKS TO THEIR OWN BEAT AND “YOU” MAY BE CONFUSED ABOUT THEM, IT DOESN’T MEAN THEIR CONFUSED ABOUT THEMSELVES.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS INTO INDIE MUSIC DOESN’T MEAN THEY DON’T ROCK COMERCIAL RADION FRIENDLY MUSIC ALSO. (SOME PEOPLE ARE WELL ROUNDED MUSIC LOVERS)

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON DOES DRUGS DOESN’T MEAN THEIR AN ADDICT OF ANYTHING. (BEING AN ADDICT IS IN THE PERSONALITY NOT THE VICE)

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS INTO SPIRITUALITY, SELF AWARENESS, AND ENLIGHTENMENT DOESN’T MEAN THEIR A HIPPIE AND THEY WON’T KNOCK YOU THE F*** OUT IN A FIGHT. (YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOUR DEALING WITH AND THERE ARE ALOT OF DEAD AND F***ED UP PEOPLE DUE TO UNDERESTIMATING OR PRE-JUDGING) LOL

JUST BECUASE A GIRL ISN’T HIGH MAINTENACE, HAPPENS TO LIKES SPORTS, AND LIFE DOESN’T TOTALLY REVOLVE AROUND SHOES AND NAIL POLISH, OR DOESN’T DO WHAT “YOU” CONSIDER TO BE GIRLIE THINGS OR A GUY IS ECCENTRIC, STYLISH, LIKES FASHION, IS WELL GROOMED,INTO ART AND COOL MUSIC, VS. WHAT “YOU” WOULD CONSIDER MAN THINGS TO DO DOESN’T MEAN THEIR INTO THE SAME SEX. (GAY AND STRAIGHT PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT ONES HOBBIES AND STYLE OF DRESSING HAS ABSOULUTLY NOTHING TO DO WITH ONES “SEXUAL” PREFERANCE)

JUST BECAUSE A WOMAN WANTS THE BEST FOR HERSELF AND SHE WANTS HER DUDE TO BE MOTIVATED, MAKING MONEY, AND ABLE TO PROVIDE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN SHE’S A GOLDIGGER. (EVERYBODY NEEDS THEIR OWN IDEA OF STABILITY )

JUST BECAUSE A MAN WANTS HIS SPACE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN HE’S CHEATING OR WANTS TO KICK IT WITH ANOTHER CHICK.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON GET’S STRAIGHT A GRADES AND ARE BOOK SMART DOESN’T MEAN THEY HAVE COMMON SENSE.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON CARRIES GUNS DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE VIOLENT.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON DOESN’T CARRY A GUN DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE NON- VIOLENT.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON STAYS OUT OF POLITICS AND POP CULTURE DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE DISCONNECTED FROM WHAT’S REAL.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON HAS A YOUNG SPIRIT DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE CHILDISH OR INCAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF RESPONSIBLITIES.

JUT BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS NOT A VEGAN DOESN’T MEAN THEY SUPPORT THE SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON LOVES ANIMALS DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE LOVING PEOPLE ( THEY MAY NOT FIND HUMANS AS COOL) LOL

JUST BECAUSE A MAN IS A ENTERTAINER, LIVES ON A ROCKSTAR SCHEDULE, AND HAS CRAZY GROUPIES DOESN’T MEAN HE’S BANGING EVERY CHICK THAT WALKS UP. (THE FAITHFUL COMMITTED MUSICIAN DOES EXIST)

JUST BECUASE YOUR A MINORITY/WHITE PERSON DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE LIVE UP TO ALL THE THINGS THAT “SOCEITY” SAYS BEING A MINORITY/WHITE PERSON IS. (NO RACE IS A LIFESTYLE OR MINDSTATE)

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS NOT RELIGIOUS DOESN’T MEAN THEIR AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON “IS” RELIGIOUS DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE AGAINST PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT. ( THIER RELIGION MAY BE THE ONE THING THAT KEEPS THEM POSITTIVE AND WHY KNOCK ANY FORM OF POSITIVITY? WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR THE SAME OUTCOME)

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON COMES FROM POVERTY DOESN’T MEAN THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY. (SOME PEOPLE REALLY ARE RICH AT HEART)

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON HAS ALOT OF MONEY DOESN’T MEAN THEIR SHALLOW, GREEDY, OR INSENSITIVE TO PEOPLE OF POVERTY (YOU NEVER KNOW ANYONES STORY OF SUCCESS)

AND WE CAN BREAK DOWN STEREOTYPES WITHIN OTHER STEREOTYPES WHICH IS JUST RETARDED…

STEREOTYPING IS AN IGNORANCE THAT WAS CREATED TO DESTROY THE IDEA OF INDIVIDUALITY, BECAUSE INDIVIDUALITY BREATHES INDEPENDANCE. CULTURE IS SOMETHING WE CREATED AND EMBRASED FOR GROUP UNITY BUT THE NEGATIVE IS THAT IT ALLOWS US TO TO SKIP THE “GETTING TO KNOW” WHICH LEAVES US TO IDENITIFY A PERSON WITH AN SURFACE IDEA OF WHAT WE “THINK” THEY ARE OR SHOULD BE. THIS IS WHY OUR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT IS SO F***ED. WE DON’T ALLOW OURSELVES TO GIVE PEOPLE A FAIR CHANCE OF EXPRESSION IF WE ALREADY HAVE A PRECONCEIVED NOTION OF WHAT WE “ASSUME” THEIR DESIGN IS. YOU CAN’T TAME THE CONCEPT OF BEING A HUMAN. TV, ENTERTAINMENT, HEAD DOCTOR “KNOW IT ALLS”, BITTER AND SCORNED RELATIONSHIP BOOK AUTHERS ECT. ARE LUMPING PEOPLE INTO GROUPS BASED ON STATS THAT ”THEY” THEMSELVES SO MAGICLY CREATED AND THROUGH OUR OWN INSECURITY ISSUES WE ACTUALY BELIEVE SOMEONE CAN TELL US WHO “WE” ARE. SO MUCH THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD RATHER NOT EMBRACE COOL CHARACTERISTICS ABOUT THEMSELVES OUT OF FEAR OF BEING MISREAD OR LUMPED IN SOME GROUP THAT DOES NOT DEFINE THEM OR THEIR MEANING BEHIND THE EXPRESSION.THIS IS HOW SOME PEOPLE END UP NOT FULLY EXPRESSING THEIR TRUE SELVES. ALOT OF KIDS IN THE HOOD ARE AFRAID OF DREAMING BIG BECAUSE SOME BRAINWASHED FOOL TOLD THEM THAT IT’S POINTLESS, IT COMES OFF SOFT, OR IT’S NOT COOL BY HOOD STANDARDS. THIS IS ALSO WHY WOMEN AND MEN HAVE TRUST ISSUES WITH EACH OTHER AND SPEND WAY TO MUCH TIME TRYING NOT TO BE THE PERSON THAT GETS PLAYED. MARS AND VENUS? WERE FROM THE SAME FLESH. MAN AND WOMAN ARE TO MAKE LOVE, STIMULATE AND PROCREATE FOR THE UNIVERSE NOT WAGE WAR, HIDE INTO SEPERATE GROUPS LIKE TWO RIVAL GANGS, PUT OUR GAURDS UP AND MAKE JUDGMENTS ON A WHOLE GENDER BASED ON OUR PAST RELATIONSHIPS WE HAD. AM I THE ONLY CRAZY PERSON THAT THINKS THIS SHIT IS CRAZY? LOL NOBODY GIVES OFF MIXED SIGNALS. IF WE GET PEOPLE WRONG OR MIS UNDERSTAND THEM IT IS TOTALY OUR FAULT. OPEN YOUR MINDS. WE ARE NOT CATTLE OR SHEEP. WE ARE “ALL” CUT DIFFERENT. IT’S ALL PEACE AND UNITY BUT LET’S EMBRACE INDIVIDUALITY AND GET TO KNOW PEOPLE, NOT AN IDEA OF PEOPLE- JOEY

P.S IM NO PREACHER, HEAD SHRINK OR PHILOSOPHER. I AM SIMPLY A HUMAN BEING AND I AM A LIVING BREATHING MURDERER OF STEREOTYPES.
 
-via diejoeydie

Ask me anything, entertain me!