Release Date: 3/23/18; Netflix
(2017 – original release date)
Genre: Drama/Biography
Rating: NR
Running Time: 100 mins.
Director: Michael Larnell
Studio(s): Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, IamOTHER Entertainment, Neon.
Cast: Chanté Adams (Roxanne Shanté), Mahershala Ali (Cross), Nia Long (Ms. Peggy Gooden), Elvis Nolasco (Ray), Jermel Howard (Roland), Eden Duncan-Smith (Latifa), Tonye Patano (Ms. Denise), Sean Ringgold (Keith), Taliyah Whitaker (Young Roxanne Shanté).
Story: The film, set in the 1980s, tells the story of a 14-year-old rap prodigy from New York City’s Queensbridge Projects named Lolita Shante Gooden, who would go on to become the famed rapper hip hop fans know her as: Roxanne Shanté.
Shanté’s career kicked off after meeting fellow rapper Tyrone Williams, D.J. Mr. Magic and record producer Marley Marl outside the Queensbridge housing project, the same complex that produced rap legends like Nas and Mobb Deep. She gained commercial success after teaming up with Marl to produce a response track to U.T.F.O.’s popular song “Roxanne, Roxanne.” Her version, which legend has it was free-styled in Marl’s apartment in between laundry loads, was titled “Roxanne’s Revenge” and became an instant hit. Sources: Black Film; Essence. Photo Source: Sundance.org.
Trailer:
