Posted March 6, 2008-- Through six years and five seasons, "The Wire" has been embraced by hip-hop like no other television series before. Since debuting on HBO in 2002, cast members like Idris Elba (Stringer Bell), J.D. Williams (Bodie) and Hassan Johnson (Wee-Bey) among others, have become staples in rap videos. So, with one episode left to the critically acclaimed series, BET.com caught up with hip-hop’s finest to discuss their favorite characters and moments.
Picking a favorite "Wire" character is nearly impossible. Bodie’s loyalty, Snoop’s gangsta, and Bubbles’ passion all made them special. But interestingly, our "Wire" fanatics appeared to be drawn to three characters in particular, Omar Little, Marlo Stanfield and Stringer Bell.
“That Omar was a problem. That Omar stepped on the screen and that was it, man,” Bun B told BET.com. “Real street dudes I know that would never give it up for a homosexual on the street, they have to give Omar their card.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group executive Kevin Liles, who hails from Baltimore, (where "The Wire" is based) appreciates Little’s codes of ethics. “What can you say about Omar,” Liles inquired. “He just don’t care. He’s really a righteous guy.”
Though they championed Little, Bun and Liles were also fans of his most famous nemesis, Stringer Bell.
“I wish Stringer wouldn’t have gotten killed,” Bun revealed. “I wish Stringer would have went inside and for Avon and them to touch him up. I just didn’t want him to die there like that. But son had to go.”
Cheri Dennis concurs, “It was unbelievable when they did it, but I love that they did it because you gotta have somewhere to go and it gives you real life because they don’t always live forever.”
On the flip side, Liles appreciated that String tried his best to turn his life around. “He was just trying to do the right thing,” Liles reasoned. “He was trying to get out. He was trying to set it up, so he can go on and be a real business man, so I wish that he didn’t get killed.”
While Omar and Stringer balanced good and evil, Marlo Stanfield is more ruthless than both combined.
“I love his swagger. I love his gangsta,” Dennis explained. “I love that he don’t talk much. When it’s about business, it’s about business.”
“I appreciate everything he’s doing,” Liles added on Stanfield. “Marlo got guts. Marlo’s hip-hop.”
Tune to catch "The Wire’s" Series Finale March 9th at 9 p.m. But in the meantime, make sure to take BET.com’s Wire Quiz, share your favorite Wire characters and make predictions for the final episode.
Also see TV Watchers, 2 Guys Talking and The Official Blog Of Marc Steiner for blogs that cover The Wire.