Mahershala Ali Used Ka's 'Honor Killed the Samurai' to Build His Hitman Role, and Now He Wants a Documentary

Mahershala Ali brought his new filmYour Mother Your Mother Your Motherto the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, and the role is intense: a devoutly religious hitman who loses his wife and fights to protect his children. During a red carpet interview with ETalk, Ali shared the unexpected tool he used to find the character, an album by the late rapper Ka calledHonor Killed the Samurai. In his words, it“just was the right vibe and tone for this guy.”

For anyone who knows Ka’s catalog, that choice makes perfect sense. The album’s patient, precise, methodical sound mirrors exactly what a quietly dangerous hitman needs. But the story goes deeper than a character reference. Ka was a New York Fire Department captain and a 9/11 first responder who also built a legendary second career as an MC and producer in underground hip-hop alongside artists like Roc Marciano. He and Ali were friends before Ka passed away in October 2024 at the age of 52.

Ali isn’t letting that friendship fade quietly. He told ETalk he wants a documentary made about Ka’s life, calling him“an extraordinary man”and“an amazing producer.”Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, written and directed by Bassam Tariq and also starring John Cho and Giancarlo Esposito, opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, September 25. So here’s the question: which late artist’s story do you most want to see on screen? Let us know in the comments.