A Taste:

Louie Vega, Santogold, Major Lazer

In order to become Gamer’s baddest villain, Terry Crews turned to his iPod.

“I was spinning all kinds of dark music while I was working out in order to go to that place,” says Terry.

While spending extra time in the gym, he kept bumping N.W.A., Marilyn Manson, Lil Jon, Ice Cube and The Cure. It worked—because Hackman is one of the most sinister and psychotic villains to tear up screens in a long time. Anyone that can go toe-to-toe with Gerard Butler deserves props…

Terry’s musical tastes are quite diverse though, and he shared his playlist with ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino in this exclusive feature.

Check out Terry’s playlist below and don’t miss him in Gamer in theaters now!

Terry Crews’ Playlist:

1. Santogold

I’m into Santogold. She’s amazing!

2. Louie Vega

3. Mr. V

4. Juan Atkins

5. Derek Saunders

Because I came up in the Midwest, I’m a big house music fan. I love Louie Vega. He’s my number one DJ. Mr V is just awesome too. I come from the Juan Atkins- and Derek Saunders-era back in Detroit. That was the birth of techno.

6. Biz Markie

There was a time when hip hop, techno and house were all the same—they were all one thing. A lot of people don’t remember it, but I do. Biz Markie actually made one of the baddest house beats ever. It’s a song called “Follow Me,” and it was a big house jam.

7. Dimlight

I get these real crazy remixes on a web site called Tracksource. It’s really good eclectic house. There’s another guy named Dimlight who’s just insane. He reminds me of Diplo—it’s really sampled-up super music. Right now, I’m on Dimlight. It’s so insane and creative. There are crazy beats and weird sounds.

8. Flying Lotus

9. Major Lazer

Major Lazer’s hot!

10. The O’Jay’s

Then I go into the oldies. I love The O’Jay’s. I’m very eclectic with my music. As an actor, you have to be.

11. Nirvana

Kurt Cobain and all of that stuff is just as powerful as Cube is. Pain comes from the same place. That’s it.

—Rick Florino
09.05.09