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Yasiin Bey Biography

Birth Name:Dante Terrell Smith

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Actor

Fast Facts

In 2005, he received the Vision Award for Best Dramatic Performance for his work in "Something the Lord Made․"
Won the 2005 Black Reel award for Best Actor in an Independent Film
Started acting in the fifth grade when he was cast in his school's production of "Free to Be․․․ You and Me․"
Quote: "My work is a reflection of the human condition․ I don't want to hurt anybody․ I don't want to mislead people․ I want to tell the truth․"
Quote: "I'm just grateful to be able to call myself a professional, work with good people and be able to do this vocationally․ There are so many talented people who don't get the opportunity to earn a living at it and do the work they want to do․ I'm just grateful to be here and I want to keep doing the best work that I can․"
Is widely recognized for his use of socially-conscious lyrics in his music
With the help of his younger brother and sister, he formed the rap group Urban Thermo Dynamics in 1994

2003BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Independent Actor: nominated
2003Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Breakout Star - Male: nominated
2004BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2004Black Reel-Film: Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: nominated
2004Gotham Independent Film Award-Breakthrough Actor: nominated
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2005Black Reel-Best Actor, Network/Cable Television: nominated
2005Black Reel-Best Actor, Independent Film: winner
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2005Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2005Vision Award-Best Dramatic Performance: winner
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Rap Artist in a Movie: nominated
2006Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2006Stinker Award-Most Annoying Fake Accent: Male: nominated
2008Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2008Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated