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He once explained:
“ My faith gives me discipline, but it also gives me freedom. It reminds me of my responsibility to people. My work is not about judging— it’ s about witnessing.”
His activism has not been symbolic. He was arrested at protests opposing police brutality and housing injustice and famously subjected himself to a simulation of Guantanamo Bay’ s force-feeding procedures during Ramadan. The resulting video shocked the world. Speaking on the experience, he called the procedure:
“ Unequivocally torture. There’ s no other word for it.”
Flashmag! Issue 168 January 2026
It was a profound demonstration of his belief that artists must do more than speak— they must stand.
The Acting Parallel
Bey’ s screen work has been equally impressive, showcasing remarkable versatility and depth. His portrayal of Detective Manson in 16 Blocks, Vivien Thomas in Something the Lord Made, and Brother Sam in Dexter demonstrated an actor capable of inhabiting complex characters with profound nuance. His performance as Chuck Berry in Cadillac Records earned particular acclaim, capturing both the musician’ s genius and his contradictions.
When asked about balancing music and acting, Bey has spoken about both as distinct yet connected forms of storytelling— different mediums for the same essential work. He approaches acting with the same commitment to authenticity that defines his music, carefully selecting roles that resonate with his values or present significant artistic challenges.
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