- 2009: Again portrayed Tupac Shakur in the biopic "Notorious," about the life of rapper The Notorious B.I.G.
- 2008: Had a supporting role in Kathryn Bigelow’s film about the Iraq war, "The Hurt Locker" (released theatrically in 2009); earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male
- 2006: Played real-life college football player Nate Ruffin in "We Are Marshall"
- 2005: Appeared as a loud-mouthed boxer in Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby"
- 2005: Had a small role as a dealer in the independent film "Half Nelson"
- 2004: First lead role in Spike Lee's "She Hate Me"
- 2003: Appeared as a young art student in acclaimed drama "Brother to Brother"; earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination
- 2002: Feature film debut as the fearsome Papa Doc in "8 Mile"
- 2002: Was an understudy to Don Cheadle in Suzan-Lori Parks' play "Topdog/Underdog"
- 2002: Appeared in the New York stage production of "Talk"
- 2001: Received critical accolades as rapper Tupac Shakur in the Off-Off Broadway play "Up Against the Wind"
- 1992: Won an award from the Speech and Theater League Festival




