BNtheMix.com/ May 4, 2019/ Brittany Shawnte – Many across the world were stunned to hear of the untimely passing of legendary film director John Singleton at the age of 51. He had suffered a stroke after seeking medical care on April 17 and was put into a medically induced coma. Tragically, he never recovered, and his family removed him from life support on April 29.
The film and hip-hop communities mourn the loss of John but celebrate his life and impact through his work. Of course, he is known for the critically-acclaimed 1991 film, Boyz N The Hood, which earned him Oscar nominations for original screenplay and directing at just 24 years old. He went on to write and direct other classic movies like Poetic Justice, Higher Learning, and Baby Boy. Most recently, John had co-created the FX crime drama Snowfall with Eric Amadio and Dave Andron. The show was recently renewed for a third season set to air in September.
What stands out about John’s work is his willingness and courage to tell stories that hadn’t been told before in the mainstream. His work told the authentic tales of hardship, poverty, romance, comedy, and growth all seen in the black community—stories that had been ignored or overshadowed. He also worked tirelessly to open the door for better representation for people of color in Hollywood. “I learned that no one was going to write the films I wanted to do except for me,” John shared in a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “No one was going to have the vision to tell the stories that I wanted to tell except for me.” Those stories allowed for others to see themselves represented.
John’s visual storytelling also opened the doors for other rising black directors such as Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, and Jordan Peele to make their mark and tell more stories surrounding people of color. When asked about his work and legacy just a few years ago, John shared, “I want to be remembered for my passion. And for the fact that my films, each one of them, is a different soulful statement.” Very true indeed. His impact upon the industry and this world will surely never be forgotten.