Brian “Astro” Bradley interview: Rapper lands lead role in ET remake

Brian “Astro” Bradley was born on August 26, 1996 in Brownsville, Brooklyn where he started rapping as at an early age. At 14, he successfully auditioned for Season 1 of the reality-TV series “The X-Factor” by performing a song he wrote called “Stop Looking at My Moms.”

Astro finished 7th overall in the competition, whose judges included Simon Cowell and Paul Abdul, and was subsequently signed to a contract by Epic Records. Here, he talks about making his acting debut as the narrator and co-star of “Earth to Echo,” a sci-fi adventure very similar to “E.T.”

Do you still live in Brownsville?

No, I live in Bed-Stuy, near Marcus Garvey [Elementary School].

What interested you in making the jump from music to movies?

I haven’t abandoned music. I’m still doing the music thing. I was 15 when I read the script for “Earth to Echo.” I thought it was amazing, and I couldn’t think of turning it down. It’s awesome for a kid from Brooklyn to have an opportunity to be on the big screen. And I had a great experience learning what the movie business is like. So, I’m glad I did it.

I loved “Earth to Echo.” It reminded me a lot of “E.T.” except with cell phones, texting slang and state-of-the-art gadgets like eyeglasses with video cameras.

I think that was producer Andrew Panay’s mission, to bring that nostalgic film back, but to update it with a 2014 spin.

Did director Dave Green give you any advice about how to act in front of the green screen opposite special effects that would be added later?

He gave all of us advice about ways we could portray our characters better. But as far as the special effects, I got more help from the visual effects team. It was definitely weird to act opposite emptiness, and later see the space filled on the screen by this little alien.

What’s going on with you musically? I know you have a new EP called “Computer Era” coming out.

Yeah, I’m going to put the EP out soon, though I’m not rushing it. I’m taking my time since I don’t have a due date. I’m going to drop the first video from it really soon, but I’m not going to say when.

At what age did you start rapping?

About 9, but I’ve been into music since I was 3.

Who would you say are primary musical influences?

The legends: Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, Tupac, Snoop, Wu-Tang Clan, guys of that caliber.

Do you enjoy watching sci-fi films?

Yeah, but I really prefer comedies. And I recently started watching some kung fu movies like “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” which I enjoyed because of the symbolism and what it teaches you. As far as science-fiction goes, I’d watched a few films, but now that we completed “Earth to Echo,” and I see how amazing it is, I plan to watch a lot more sci-fi.

What would you says is the main message of “Earth to Echo?”

I think it represents friendship! Echo might be an alien, but it symbolizes something that brings you and your friends together. Echo just happens to be an alien, and it took all of us united to save him. We weren’t the coolest kids in the neighborhood, but when we came together on his behalf, we felt like giants who had conquered the world.

They didn’t focus on the fact that your character, Tuck, is black in the movie. So race wasn’t an issue. Did you enjoy that?

Yeah, I never even thought about that. And I don’t think anybody else on the set ever focused on it either. It’s 2014, man!

What was the last book you read?

RZA’s book, “The Tao of Wu.” That’s a really good one. I’m very into reading lately, especially books that are beneficial, spiritually.

What was the last song you listened to?

I don’t want to sound corny, but the last song I listened to really was “88,” one of the songs on my upcoming EP.

What’s the biggest difference between who you are at home and the person we see on the red carpet?

Not much. I’m pretty much the same person. I’m just quieter at home listening to my music. Red carpets aren’t really my scene, so I try to get off the carpet as soon as possible. It’s cool doing it for “Earth to Echo,” but it’s weird doing the red carpet for other events when people don’t know me, and I have to stand there while the fans are all screaming for someone behind me.

What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

Positive energy. When you think positively, you attract positive people. If I’m on a mission to be successful and I’m positive all the time, then more positive people will come around me, and we’ll help each other. If you’re negative, you’ll find yourself surrounded by negative people. That’s why guys like Jay-Z and other successful people strive. They’re positive and they attract other positive people who enable them to go further.

With so many classic films being redone, is there a remake you’d like to star in?

No, I think the classics should be left alone. But if I had to remake one, I’d pick “Space Jam.” I heard they’re trying to remake “Juice,” but I feel you need to leave certain movies alone. I hope they don’t mess with “The Last Dragon” because that’s such a great movie. I don’t mind sequels, but I don’t like seeing a classic remade. It’s really unnecessary.

What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Don’t follow in my footsteps. Create your own path. And master your own craft, whatever it is, writer, actor, singer, rapper… Make sure you spend time perfecting being you, and eventually you’ll succeed.