Unique’s charm and unpredictability make him a standout character that audiences can’t help but root for.
Unique’s journey from being driven by ego and power to finding what is truly important will be explored in the final season.
The ‘Power’ franchise resonates with black audiences by mixing family dynamics, conflict and compelling characters they really care about.
Seam Power Book III: Raising Kanan continues its fifth and final season, few characters have sparked as much conversation as the Fly (and now fleeing) Unique that fans just couldn’t seem to hate despite his ways.
Source: Starz / Power Book III: Raising Kanan
Played off Joey Bada$$The Queen’s kingpin has become one of the franchise’s most beloved and unpredictable characters. So much so that he continues to earn a loyal fan base despite his flaws, manipulative tendencies and relentless pursuit of power.
Now Unique has had enough of the power and he has (for once) focused on his family. As seen in episode 2, after first moving his family to a remote location and declaring that he would die in Southside Jamaica, Queens…
the street king finally escaped with his girlfriend and son to safety, officially getting out of the game.
Joey Bada$$ recently spoke with BOSSIP’s very own 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 gravitate towards Unique.
“When I first read that he was damn near the flyest thing in Queens, I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, I’m going to make people love this character,'” he said. “”Oh yes, 1,000 percent.”
In fact, the rapper and actor intentionally approached the role knowing that Unique would be the type of character audiences couldn’t help but root for.
“I kind of had my view that he was going to be the guy that people hated and that they love,” he said.
Part of this appeal comes from Unique’s ability to command attention when he enters a scene. While the Power Universe is filled with larger-than-life personalities, Joey believes his character’s charm and unpredictability help set him apart.
“I definitely think that’s 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 gathering information, influencing other characters or positioning himself for success.
“He has a way of maneuvering that is just a joy to watch,” Joey said.
That unpredictability also keeps viewers invested.
“We never know what’s next,” he said. “You guys are just kind of interested to see what happens with this guy.”
As the series comes to a close, Joey said one of the most rewarding aspects of portraying Unique has been witnessing the character’s full journey.
Too much of Raising KananUnique has been driven by ego, status and a desire to be on top. However, Joey hinted that viewers will see a different perspective emerge as the story progresses.
“This was a man motivated solely by ego and power,” he said. “We are finally coming to a perspective in seeing what is important.”
While fans have spent years analyzing Unique’s decisions, Joey believes there’s still a lot audiences don’t know about the character.
“I think there are misconceptions about everybody,” he said.
The actor pointed out that viewers never fully see the experiences that shaped Unique before the events of the series.
“Obviously, something in the way he was raised contributed to how he appears today,” Joey explained. “Seeking that power, wanting to be number one so bad, wanting to be on top, wanting to be the center of attention.”
Although the audience may never get a complete backstory, Joey believes that understanding these influences helps explain the man Unique has become.
“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 with a laugh.
At its core, he believes the series succeeds because it mixes family dynamics, conflict and compelling characters that viewers really care about.
“When you take a concept that black people love and then mix it with a bunch of people who can play the characters, people that they already love, who can play the characters, it’s just a hit show.”
Judging by Unique’s continued popularity, fans would likely agree.
A new episode of Power Book III: Raising Kanan airs Friday on TV and the STARZ app.
