Unique’s charm and unpredictability make him a striking character that the audience can only get behind.
Unique’s journey from being driven by ego and power to finding what really matters will be explored in the final season.
The “Power” franchise resonates with black audiences by combining family dynamics, conflict and compelling characters they actually care about.
If Power Book III: Raising Kanan continues its fifth and final season, few characters have sparked as much conversation as the fly (and now flee) Unique, who fans just couldn’t hate despite his mannerisms.
Source: Starz / Power Book III: Raising Kanan
Played by Joey Bada$$the Kingpin of Queens has become one of the franchise’s most beloved and unpredictable characters. So much so that he still deserves a loyal fanbase despite his flaws, manipulative tendencies, and ruthless pursuit of power.
Now Unique has had enough of the power and focuses (for once) on his family. As seen in episode 2, after initially moving his family to a remote location alone and declaring that he would die in Southside Jamaica, Queens…
The street king eventually fled to safety with his girlfriend and son and officially left the game.
Joey Bada$$ recently spoke with BOSSIP’s Lauryn Bass about Unique’s appeal, his character’s evolution and why Raising Kanan continues to connect with audiences across generations.
From the very beginning, Joey had a feeling that viewers would be drawn to Unique.
“When I first read that he was the damn flyest thing in Queens, I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, I’m going to make people love this character,’” he said. “Oh yes, 1000 percent.”
In fact, the rapper and actor approached the role deliberately knowing that Unique would become the type of character that audiences could only root for.
“I kind of set my sights on him becoming the guy that people hated and loved,” he said.
Part of that appeal comes from Unique’s ability to command attention whenever he enters a scene. Although the Power Universe is filled with larger-than-life personalities, Joey believes his character’s charm and unpredictability help him stand out.
“I think it’s definitely his charm,” Joey explained. “He’s so deceptively charming.”
According to the actor, Unique has mastered the art of manipulating the world around him, whether he’s gathering information, influencing other characters or positioning himself for success.
“He has a way of maneuvering that is simply a joy to watch,” Joey said.
This unpredictability also ensures that viewers continue to invest.
“We never know what’s next,” he said. “You’re all just interested to see what’s going on with this guy.”
As the series nears its end, Joey said one of the most rewarding aspects of playing Unique has been witnessing the character’s full journey.
For a large part Raising KananUnique is driven by ego, status and the desire to be at the top. However, Joey hinted that viewers will see a different perspective emerge as the story progresses.
“This was a man motivated purely by ego and power,” he said. “We are finally coming to a perspective in which we see what is important.”
Although fans have analyzed Unique’s decisions for years, Joey believes there is still a lot the public doesn’t know about the character.
“I think there are misunderstandings about everyone,” he said.
The actor pointed out that viewers never fully see the experiences that shaped Unique before the events of the series.
“Obviously something about the way he was raised contributed to how he appears today,” Joey explained. “Looking for that power, wanting so badly to be number one, wanting to be at the top, wanting to be the center of attention.”
While audiences may never get a complete backstory, Joey believes understanding those influences helps explain the man Unique became.
“What made you unique in this way?” he said. “Because it’s cool to be a fly. Unique is a different kind of fly.”
When asked why Raising Kanan and the Power Universe continues to resonate with black audiences, more than a decade after the franchise debuted, Joey offered a simple answer.
“We love drama. We love drama. We love drama,” he said, laughing.
At its core, he believes the series succeeds because it brings together the family dynamics, conflicts and compelling characters that viewers really care about.
“When you take a concept that black people love and mix it with a group of people who can play the characters, people they already love and who can play the characters, it’s just a hit show.”
Judging by Unique’s continued popularity, fans probably agree.
A new episode of Power Book III: Raising Kanan airs Friday on TV and the STARZ app.
Leave a Reply