Michael K. Williams Discovers His African Ancestry

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  • Опубликовано: 22 июл 2013
  • The Roots Of... Michael K Williams Discovers His African Ancestry for Okayafrica TV.
    Reveal interview by Author Raquel Cepeda: "Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina"
    Videographers:
    Emmai Alaquiva (www.emmaialaquiva.com), Rory Webb, Christina Choe, Doug Zajaczkowski
    Editor: Sam Bathrick for resonantpictures.com
    Okayafrica
    www.okayafrica.com
    / okayafrica
    / okayafrica
    Okayplayer
    www.okayplayer.com
    / okayplayer
    / okayplayer
  • ВидеоклипыВидеоклипы

Комментарии • 344

  • @wrldtvlr2
    @wrldtvlr2 2 года назад +60

    He's undoubtedly being greeted by the Ancestors with a welcome fit for a king. Eternal peace and rest to you, beautiful soul.

  • @CodysFavorites
    @CodysFavorites 10 лет назад +112

    okay seeing michael k williams crying while hearing both isaiah washington on the phone and a nas instrumental all at the same time was way too powerful to handle

  • @jamespotts4166
    @jamespotts4166 2 года назад +35

    Rest in peace Michael K Williams, what a man

  • @Niia090
    @Niia090 2 года назад +41

    What an incredible actor… I’m glad he got to discover his roots before leaving behind such an incredible legacy. RIP Micheal K Williams🙏🏾🕊

    • @dedel-o-bailey7254
      @dedel-o-bailey7254 Год назад

      🙏🏽🙏🙏🏼🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏🏽❤️🎯💯🌍

    • @lyric_S.15
      @lyric_S.15 9 месяцев назад +1

      african american ain't african stop being a damn fool he did'nt discover shit he been lie to

  • @Missteree87
    @Missteree87 8 лет назад +123

    I always thought he was gorgeous

    • @AmmaMama
      @AmmaMama 7 лет назад +4

      yes

    • @allisonrena
      @allisonrena 7 лет назад +9

      yes he is something good to look at i totally agree!!!! nothing like a good chocolate brother to look at

    • @sleepymv611
      @sleepymv611 7 лет назад

      I always thought he was gay...and he is.

    • @missvirgo8821
      @missvirgo8821 6 лет назад +1

      htwoa aowth 👎

    • @TheSteadyGrounds
      @TheSteadyGrounds 6 лет назад

      Are you serious? (0_0)

  • @RoniForeva
    @RoniForeva 7 лет назад +126

    Why am I getting teary eyed? As an African of the Ashanti tribe I am begging all African Americans, Afro Latinos, Afro Caribbean to please come home even if it is just to visit come back! Africa is your home it is your right and your ancestral land. Pleeassee come back!

    • @LilliLamour
      @LilliLamour 3 года назад +2

      Thank you

    • @gingermarley9985
      @gingermarley9985 3 года назад +3

      Thank you and we will!

    • @kasN-ud9vd
      @kasN-ud9vd 3 года назад +12

      @@gingermarley9985 I always think that way , African Americans and all the diaspora should once come back home just touch the land of their ancestors. You have an origin just like everybody else. Love from Congo!!!

    • @asaasare220
      @asaasare220 3 года назад +3

      You are not of the Ashanti tribe.... U are from the Asante nation... not a tribe... how r u to be respected if U will not take the time and energy to research and call yourself what U are and expected our people here to know where they are from..

    • @RoniForeva
      @RoniForeva 3 года назад +7

      @@asaasare220 wtf are you talking about you are 3 years late to this conversation. Bye

  • @victoriapoku-amanfo101
    @victoriapoku-amanfo101 2 года назад +24

    Wow watching this now knowing he has passed has truly hit me. This man was authentic to the core. He put his heart into everything he did, we have truly lost a legend. 💔

  • @ExquisiteKinkyCoils
    @ExquisiteKinkyCoils 7 лет назад +40

    This man is beautiful, extremely talented, genuine, and humble. I also love the fact he shares the same DNA with his "brother" Isaiah Washington. I have goose bumps from this. I love this.

  • @MsNorrisa
    @MsNorrisa 10 лет назад +32

    I did mine: Temne from Sierra Leone.

    • @Hadnash
      @Hadnash 5 лет назад +2

      Norrisa A welcome to our Sierra Leone community!

  • @HausOfAdonis
    @HausOfAdonis 8 лет назад +48

    wow...i'm Zimbabwean but grew up in America and am very familiar with the African American story....each time i watch these African American DNA stories on youtube i always get emotional and start tearing up. i'm glad he got to know a bit more about his roots. suuuch a beautiful thing. so happy...my brothers and sisters, we gotta unite!

  • @ptrco5
    @ptrco5 2 года назад +8

    May your ancestors carry you home safely. Eternal peace dear brother 🙏🏾

  • @kawadia
    @kawadia 7 лет назад +24

    Michael K. Williams is such a beautiful and talented man to me. I'm so glad he discovered the origins of his "Heart of a King" traits.

  • @aguyUsingTheWeb
    @aguyUsingTheWeb 10 лет назад +52

    Man this brought a tear to my eyes.

  • @redeemedforgivenfree349
    @redeemedforgivenfree349 7 лет назад +28

    Man that was beautiful... wish I could do this in my own life. I feel like it would be so powerful for us as black people to know our roots beyond the grip slavery...

  • @Boricuasexii69
    @Boricuasexii69 2 года назад +4

    Rest in power king.. My heart is heavy on your passing but yet rejoice your no longer suffering .

  • @diversions755
    @diversions755 8 лет назад +77

    So that's Isaiah Washington. Michael K Willams and Idris Elba. All Mende people.

    • @tbetters2012
      @tbetters2012 8 лет назад +9

      And they favor too!!! Just black and beautiful!!!

    • @damarcusmomm05
      @damarcusmomm05 8 лет назад +11

      Their all beautiful too

    • @lloydrandall6706
      @lloydrandall6706 8 лет назад +5

      +Diversions Add Sengbe Pieh to that list and you got some awesome human beings.

    • @marcushudson6528
      @marcushudson6528 7 лет назад +2

      Diversions Questlove and Black Thought (from The Roots) are Mende too I think

    • @87Otter
      @87Otter 6 лет назад +6

      Elba father is from Serra Leon, his mom is from Ghana

  • @shaleenaabron2520
    @shaleenaabron2520 9 лет назад +32

    My mother is from South Carolina as well and her lineage is from Sierra Leone.

    • @angie38
      @angie38 5 лет назад +2

      I'll bet your mother say Arshe potatoes instead of Irish potatoes. Look up the Gullah Geeche people. They were from Sierra Leone because the knew how to cultivate rice.

    • @ronkiarie
      @ronkiarie 4 года назад +1

      *Your Lineage.

  • @thehoneyeffect
    @thehoneyeffect 10 лет назад +25

    He is so beautiful

    • @PeepingTomETTE2
      @PeepingTomETTE2 9 лет назад

      very appealing

    • @Bonitaymorena
      @Bonitaymorena 9 лет назад

      ***** I cut on the face doesn't exclude him from being handsome. It's like if someone loses on eye or ear!! Their still handsome if they were born with handsome features!! SMH nice try at insulting him though.... you failed!!

    • @thehoneyeffect
      @thehoneyeffect 9 лет назад

      ***** yep he's perfectly imperfect....plus we have the same surname already....we are good to go!

  • @ajah
    @ajah 9 лет назад +34

    Breaks my heart that something I take for granted means so much to him and many in his position. I don't know how angry I would have been in his shoes.

    • @AlMahdi2k
      @AlMahdi2k 8 лет назад +10

      We carry so much pain and frustration sister. And worse we carry the shame of having the conqueror's blood in our veins.

  • @EvelynL.1112
    @EvelynL.1112 5 лет назад +8

    Both Michael and Isaiah are Mende brothers from Sierra-Leone from their mothers' side!
    They gotta be brothers of some kind! So happy for them!!!

  • @psycold
    @psycold 10 лет назад +26

    He is such an amazing actor.

  • @nawfsidehtown3452
    @nawfsidehtown3452 2 года назад +4

    When they played Nas at the end I almost teared up because that was my jam. I had that on repeat when I workout at the gym. For some reason that song gives me energy and extra strength. Just knowing that blood still flows through my veins. Blood of a Slave , heart of a kING. Amen my brother. Rest in power Michael.

  • @Trini190
    @Trini190 7 лет назад +5

    Hes soo cute! To see this strong man get teary eyed is humbling.

  • @ablacksquare
    @ablacksquare 11 лет назад +8

    I love the ending when he just lays it on him. Affirming it all. I want my DNA tested, now.

  • @erwinntakirutinka837
    @erwinntakirutinka837 8 лет назад +19

    that stillmatic at the end was so perfect! welcome to the motherland brother. I am your fan from Rwanda

  • @samella35
    @samella35 9 лет назад +79

    Heart of a King. Blood of a slave.

    • @derrick5575
      @derrick5575 3 года назад

      Nas Stillmatic intro.....right?

    • @TokurErdem
      @TokurErdem 3 года назад

      @@derrick5575 yes

  • @lovestruckfm
    @lovestruckfm 7 лет назад +4

    Such an honest and humble reaction from MKW of finally finding his way back to his ancestors. SO IMPORTANT.

  • @rjmn1
    @rjmn1 11 лет назад +5

    My people from New Zealand , the Maori.. Whakapa or genealogy is of utmost importance to us... Tells the story of who we are , where we come from, could identify with them tears brother....... Awesome

  • @sibusisondhlovu6693
    @sibusisondhlovu6693 8 лет назад +11

    Wow... nice one bro coming from your Zulu brother!☺👌✌👍😟…

  • @damarcusmomm05
    @damarcusmomm05 8 лет назад +18

    Some of the mende celebrity's are dark with beautiful skin and teeth.

  • @zephgayle
    @zephgayle 9 лет назад +15

    this was so lovely to witness, very beautiful moment to share

  • @SimoneTurner
    @SimoneTurner 10 лет назад +15

    I got chills up my spine watching him, Erykah and Q-Tip ancestry videos. WOW!

  • @vc5232
    @vc5232 2 года назад +2

    This Guy was So Fucking Genuine, would love to have met this great King 👑

  • @jmtate001
    @jmtate001 8 лет назад +11

    chills, gave me chills. powerful piece

  • @jeniselett-stovall6067
    @jeniselett-stovall6067 2 года назад +2

    Wow!! this was so powerful, it made me cry as well. Rest well Mr. Michael Kenneth Williams. Gone wayyyy too soon you will be missed.

    • @clashon4life843
      @clashon4life843 2 года назад +3

      He fulfilled his purpose on this side! He made his mark and made a heck of a difference! Ase 💞

  • @cpack478
    @cpack478 11 лет назад +4

    That was beautiful. So powerful to know where you came from. Props to such a great talent like Michael K. Williams for sharing such a special moment!

  • @danchipriceless8668
    @danchipriceless8668 8 лет назад +12

    i can feel it... so black americans really need to knw thier true origines. it's touchin.

  • @MGTMuhammad
    @MGTMuhammad 8 лет назад +6

    I would've cried harder than that... We all need to do these tests.

  • @anzwarthegreat9489
    @anzwarthegreat9489 9 лет назад +88

    Hebrews coming thru here like: "that's white mans science.... I ain't african."

    • @TheLifemission
      @TheLifemission 8 лет назад +9

      +Anzwar Shakur lol this shit had me in hysterics.

    • @mryoyo
      @mryoyo 8 лет назад +1

      +Anzwar Shakur LMAO man im dying.

    • @MsAakifa
      @MsAakifa 8 лет назад +1

      +Anzwar Shakur Right, when actual south africans have been by dna linked to the actual hebrews. or the people we call that.

    • @sarauniyaGH
      @sarauniyaGH 8 лет назад +10

      Lol! They're super annoying with that shit!! 😂😂

    • @anzwarthegreat9489
      @anzwarthegreat9489 8 лет назад +5

      mama nono there is no such thing as a HEBREW my natural... open some books...

  • @sarauniyaGH
    @sarauniyaGH 8 лет назад +31

    OMG. I was right!! I literally just paused the video and studied his face and decided he was probably Sierra Leonean or Senegalese hah! I always play this game in my head of guessing African Americans roots. But it's only fun if they actually get a test done lol. I've been on a streak lately. Guessed Q-Tip was Guinean, Erykah Badu as Ivorian or Cameroonian etc. As an African woman I really love seeing my people around the world taking the initiative to learn their roots.. brings a lot of joy. And someone please tell Jamie Hector (Marlo) to get a test done cause I'm convinced he's Ghanaian Akan/Ashanti as hell with that head shape and eyes lmao!!

    • @obsidianseventyone1483
      @obsidianseventyone1483 8 лет назад +2

      +sarauniyaGH I was thinking Senegal as well. She sharper nose and deep black skin. But then again I don't know enough about Sierra Leone phenotypes.

    • @africanchild2618
      @africanchild2618 7 лет назад +4

      sarauniyaGH jamie hector is definitely Ghanaian/ivorian (ashanti). I googled him. I asked my brother to guess the guys nationality he also said ghana.

    • @young1belly
      @young1belly 6 лет назад +2

      sarauniyaGH ...yes I did the same thing when I tried to guess before he stated the results...i guessed by the shape of his face he was definitely from West Africa either Senegal or sierre leone

    • @TheSteadyGrounds
      @TheSteadyGrounds 6 лет назад +4

      Do you know there is a lot of Kenyans and Sudanese has the same facial features. Hence his slim stature. Who knows, before the borders were created people roam continents freely and settled with different tribes following their teachings and languages.

    • @gailjohn1976
      @gailjohn1976 2 года назад +1

      I thought he was descended from the people of Senegal also. Perhaps he was from his paternal. He always looked to me like someone from the Songhai Empire.

  • @qtipp81
    @qtipp81 2 года назад +2

    🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊✨ This was beautiful

  • @mesa3131
    @mesa3131 10 лет назад +2

    respect all da' way to Mende of Sierra Leone! thx for inspiring footage Michael!

  • @madamgigi
    @madamgigi 8 лет назад +11

    He had me crying

  • @TheFinanceRebel
    @TheFinanceRebel 10 лет назад +14

    This is awesome.

  • @cozmo2b
    @cozmo2b 8 лет назад +10

    This was beautiful, happy for this brotha, had me shedding thug tears!

  • @KLabye
    @KLabye 6 лет назад +1

    This is one of the most inspiring ones that I've seen this far, I love the magic in this

  • @CheezInspector
    @CheezInspector 10 лет назад +1

    So cool! Brought tears to my eyes.

  • @shawnharvey75
    @shawnharvey75 8 лет назад +4

    great video I'm happy for you Brother you inspired me I'm waiting for my results now

  • @Tiffyccakes
    @Tiffyccakes 8 лет назад +7

    thats deep man im over here crying

  • @NEWBORNBERRY
    @NEWBORNBERRY 8 лет назад +3

    Beautiful beautiful message and enlightenment indeed!😇

  • @emmaialaquiva
    @emmaialaquiva 11 лет назад +3

    powerful, proud to have been a director and shooter on this piece

  • @kiwi07050kr
    @kiwi07050kr 10 лет назад +3

    This is beautiful!

  • @citygirlnikki
    @citygirlnikki 2 года назад +3

    Rest, King 💔🙏🏾🕊

  • @ricecoastnetworkb5320
    @ricecoastnetworkb5320 6 лет назад +3

    Now I see why all Sierra leonean men like Gangster life it is in our DNA. Don't forget they are the most brilliant people in West Africa. Bravo to all Sierra leonean we most rise again like before. "Anthem of West Africa".

  • @DeeManGamez
    @DeeManGamez 7 лет назад +1

    This video is so inspiring and amazing. ❤

  • @wordswellsaid
    @wordswellsaid 11 лет назад +1

    So amazing, powerful, and inspiring!

  • @tahiraj.2456
    @tahiraj.2456 5 лет назад +3

    This man has the most beautiful teeth.. This was so moving.

  • @littlecurrybread
    @littlecurrybread 8 лет назад +1

    Very beautiful video. Should be watched in schools.

  • @mrstleerob
    @mrstleerob 10 лет назад +1

    Fantastic!!!!

  • @nasilamak2201
    @nasilamak2201 Год назад

    I ordered my test. Just waiting for it to arrive.

  • @charlita25
    @charlita25 6 лет назад +3

    I am 17 % Sierra Leon too.

  • @TheHustlehustle09
    @TheHustlehustle09 10 лет назад +2

    so true feeling biracial west indian and African American, are from two worlds sometimes!

  • @nosillaxoc
    @nosillaxoc 9 лет назад +1

    The power of knowing where you come from. Security in number, to identify your tribe...there is power in knowing. I love this. BEAUTIFUL!

  • @amina9355
    @amina9355 8 лет назад +2

    That's beautiful!

  • @KykahOfficial
    @KykahOfficial 8 лет назад +2

    so emotional! :)

  • @mahoganyjoy3502
    @mahoganyjoy3502 2 года назад +3

    I remember watching this years ago and being so connected with all three of the creatives. Cut the bs of 15 years to migrating to the heart of the artistic energy and Mike and Nas rang true. Not from surface level energy but from the blood to bone energy. Nas ain't been a liar for none of his life. Mike ain't been a liar for not a millisecond of his life. It's imperative to see who we ink ourselves to. Some muthafuckas don't give a damn, even when the world stops. Children of the SUN this is urgent.

  • @drinksandchattrini
    @drinksandchattrini 9 лет назад +2

    Talented actor 💯💯💯

  • @clashon4life843
    @clashon4life843 2 года назад +1

    The King 👑 Found Out What Tribe He Belonged To Before His Passing! This Was Destined To Happened And His Tribe Welcomed Him Home! I Am So Happy That He’s Now Free! MAAT ⚖️ ASE 💞

  • @geraldinereed36
    @geraldinereed36 2 года назад

    Absolutely beautiful!

  • @angieday9125
    @angieday9125 7 лет назад +1

    Awesome! !

  • @0piumdan
    @0piumdan 2 года назад +1

    RIP, watched this video 3 years ago, came back

  • @kylacummings6553
    @kylacummings6553 5 лет назад

    This gave me goose bumps

  • @jrucks01
    @jrucks01 10 лет назад +2

    Outstanding actor and appears to be a good man.

  • @lotusdfrique6843
    @lotusdfrique6843 11 лет назад

    i hear you! i smile when you smile and share your tears of joy.

  • @Deejaykozee
    @Deejaykozee 11 лет назад

    this is powerful

  • @Nikkinoonie
    @Nikkinoonie 3 года назад

    That’s Awesome ‼️‼️‼️🤗🤗🤗🤗 This is so crazy ,WOW ‼️‼️TIME TO REUNITE 👊🏾👊🏾💯♥️♥️🙏🏽‼️‼️‼️

  • @iwonpopularTV
    @iwonpopularTV 2 года назад +1

    This is a very great moment for Michael Williams...of late now.....RIP......

  • @gingermarley9985
    @gingermarley9985 3 года назад +1

    I just got my results back I’m also Mende
    I’m so overwhelmed
    I feel complete
    I just hope this is accurate so I can start my journey back home

  • @goldenheart751
    @goldenheart751 4 года назад +1

    I know this video is old but I'm crying for Michael myself.

  • @miriamjones8804
    @miriamjones8804 2 года назад

    Awesome I love it

  • @EasPoetloveWater
    @EasPoetloveWater 11 лет назад +2

    That was great! We are brothers or cousins or something. I just discovered my rootz of the Mende people too! Yeah....it's like that. The reality hits you compelling tears to flow. Very very very deep! Congrats Mr. Michael!

  • @ENJvideo
    @ENJvideo 8 лет назад +3

    chills

  • @kincamell2
    @kincamell2 10 лет назад

    APPRECIATIONS !

  • @kellyappiah3945
    @kellyappiah3945 8 лет назад +15

    This is beautiful to watch, more African Americans should try to find them where their come from in order to find a little bit of their identity and history.

  • @josephine_marie
    @josephine_marie 8 лет назад +2

    that was powerful

  • @marrriiee
    @marrriiee 7 лет назад

    This made me smile

  • @debrabelz
    @debrabelz 7 лет назад

    such a beautiful artist

  • @georgiii_
    @georgiii_ 8 лет назад

    SO BEAUTIFUL

  • @boldlove1st
    @boldlove1st 11 лет назад +4

    BLOOD OF A SLAVE; HEART OF A KING...

  • @HardcoreGamerish
    @HardcoreGamerish 9 лет назад +8

    Omar coming yo

  • @sandrahudson1950
    @sandrahudson1950 4 года назад

    My tears are flowing ❤️💛💚🖤💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

  • @mikejones129
    @mikejones129 9 лет назад

    I love it !

  • @mhaze210
    @mhaze210 9 лет назад

    Last year I checked out the X-Men event in NYC. As I was waiting for the bus home (which was literally coming right across the street from where the premiere was), he was one of many others who came out after the private screening. Nobody seemed to notice him but I walked right up to him and asked for a picture. I was pretty nervous but he was extremely friendly.
    I will admit, I felt SO guilty and stupid for never finishing The Wire. I just personally don't watch much TV at all, but always heard amazing things about it. I mainly recognized him from many other films, even his small part in The Road.
    Once I saw that "Omar coming yo!" clip, I was immediately hooked, and understood why Omar Little was looked at as one of Television's most interesting characters of all time.

  • @renitataylor5308
    @renitataylor5308 8 лет назад

    WOW IM SO HAPPY. I CANT STOP CRYING

  • @TramainBacchus
    @TramainBacchus 2 года назад

    Pure love man

  • @sizwendlanzi8181
    @sizwendlanzi8181 4 года назад +1

    May the strength of your forefathers roots empower you 👊🏿🇿🇦❤️

  • @amihogatai8432
    @amihogatai8432 4 года назад +1

    there it is! funny, isiah washington mentions louis gosset junior as having mende roots. i was watching him on sway universe and i kept thinking michael reminds me of someone. that is who.

  • @august0304
    @august0304 11 лет назад

    POWERFUL!!!!

  • @faithfirstfitness
    @faithfirstfitness 5 лет назад +13

    There are no African-Americans in a sense only Africans in America who have been removed from there homes and had their identity stolen from them.
    Sierra Leone's are have beautiful features! They're gorgeous

    • @rosahacketts1668
      @rosahacketts1668 3 года назад

      So you going to give it all up for white Americans? No. You are black American/African American.

    • @asaasare220
      @asaasare220 3 года назад

      Kelechi please context is everything.... context ... time and place... audience ....... nuff of the purintanism... u got to say it this or that way otherwise u are wrong... step by step we will get there

  • @pinkblackbrown
    @pinkblackbrown 10 лет назад +1

    now i wanna know my ancestry. good stuff