On Wednesday (Jan. 10), “The Breakfast Club” shared a new interview with Jeymes Samuel, who paid the morning show a visit to promote his new film, The Book of Clarence. During the conversation, DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God asked the artist-turned-director about accusations of blasphemy in regard to the movie’s religious subject matter.
“Matthew 24:5. Jesus‘ exact words [were], ‘Many shall come in my name saying I am the Christ, and they shall deceive many.’ The bible itself [spoke] of Simon the Sorcerer, who was trying to pay his way into the Apostles,” Samuel explained. “You only have to do a Google check, but I knew people would be saying that… Is it because you’re seeing people of color?”
He continued, “And if I’m speaking to a person of color, I’m gonna ask… [Did] you actually read the book you profess to know so much about? Are you saying blasphemy because you see yourself in that place in time?”
Samuel also opened up about the soundtrack for The Book of Clarence, which he produced and wrote for as the main artist. One of the compilation’s most anticipated cuts, the JAY-Z and D’Angelo-assisted “I Want You Forever,” soon came up after the topic was broached — specifically in regard to the song’s roughly nine-minute runtime.
‘Cause it’s just biblical, soulful bliss,” he declared in response to the song’s length. “I was like, ‘I’m not doing the radio edit for this joint.’ It’s just that good. It’s not one long verse like [JAY-Z’s contribution to DJ Khaled’s] ‘GOD DID.’ He’s speaking on it. He’s not rapping, he’s not rhyming. He’s just talking on it… He just comes in and floats. And D’Angelo goes in. So it’s just that good.”
Check out Samuel’s “The Breakfast Club” interview below. The Book of Clarence and its official soundtrack arrives this Friday (Jan. 12).