John Singleton (b. 1968) rocketed from obscurity to the top ranks of Hollywood directors in 1991, when he released his debut film Boyz N the Hood. The poignant coming-of-age story, set in the streets of south central Los Angeles, where Singleton grew up amid gang violence and hip-hop music, earned him Oscar nominations for best original screenplay and best directing. Only twenty-three at the time, he was hailed as a wunderkind and compared to the young Orson Welles. Some have credited him with the mainstreaming of hip-hop music and style in cinema. John Singleton: Interviews spans his transformation from USC film school sensation to seasoned director and producer. The collection includes lengthy interviews, in-depth profiles, and up-close glimpses of Singleton filming on location. Since his auspicious debut, Singleton has continued to make gritty, character-driven
hood movies
that still speak to a mainstream audience. He has made films in a variety of genres, including romance (Poetic Justice), satire (Baby Boy), action (Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious), revenge drama (Four Brothers), and historical drama (Rosewood). Craigh Barboza of Washington, D.C., is a senior editor at USA Weekend Magazine. He attended film school at New York University, and his work has been published in Vibe, Entertainment Weekly, Premiere, The Source, and the New York Times.