When did you realize Tariq James St. Patrick is going to be the role people associate you with forever?
Probably, in season four, when Tariq saw Raina die, and of course when he started hanging with Kanan. Fans were just like Damn, Tariq is a badass kid. Everywhere I went people would say, “Why are you being such a rebel?” I realized the character started to take on a life of its own, people were taking this shit seriously. I knew then that that was going to lead to me doing even crazier stuff on the show, like they’re mad now but soon they’re going to be even more upset
What was one of your all-time favorite Tariq scenes?
Killing Ray Ray. That was the start of Tariq just becoming a whole different person. That was the start of his real story. That was fun to film too, that was lit.
Did getting your own spinoff come with pressure?
There was some chatter from the higher-ups behind the scenes wondering if I could handle that. I spoke to 50 and he said, “I’m going to prove them wrong but don’t even worry about proving them wrong, just prove me and yourself right, I already told him that you got this shit.” So I was like, Nah, I can’t make myself and 50 look stupid. I had to lock in.
How would you describe Tariq’s journey over these last few seasons?
The first few seasons is him battling the fact that he’s becoming just like Ghost, or just a gangster, period. Something that he didn’t want to become. And now, this season is him coming to peace with it.
As Tariq became a bigger character, did you take any cues from other actors or other roles to mold your performance?
Someone who I’ve watched a lot is Jon Bernthal. I’ve picked up a lot of tricks from him— like when he gets mad, he does this clenched-jaw thing, moving side to side. I take things like that to perfect my craft.
Is there another show that is comparable to Power?
Succession does come up, or Sopranos, but I feel like we created a whole new lane like we’re kind of in our own league. Spinoffs don’t usually do well, but ours is doing what it’s supposed to do, and we had some big shoes to fill.
What is it like working with legends like Method Man and Mary J Blige?
Mary is the coolest. Growing up I would be hearing Mary J in the crib when my mom was cleaning and now we work together. But the first time we met, she was the one saying Oh, shit. Like, “I love Tariq.” She was a big fan of Power before she stepped in. Method Man, being that we are both from Staten Island—he and my pops grew up in the same neighborhood—it was like a super full circle moment. Like, I played football with his son, long ago before any of this. So it’s just super dope to be sharing a screen with him now when we go way back.
