The biopic will kick off a slate of films about hip-hop icons!
Beloved entertainer Queen Latifah and longtime business partner Shakim Compere have announced a new biopic about the hip-hop pioneer’s life, Variety reports. The Grammy award-winning artist, real name Dana Owens, previously hinted at a film about her life’s story in 2022. Now, Latifah and Compere are set to produce under their Flavor Unit Entertainment banner alongside Jesse Collins Entertainment, Charlie Mack, and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios.
“We all came into this industry together and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us. Hip Hop’s impact has expanded beyond just music and has created a lasting impression on culture and society overall. It is a dream to be able to collaborate with friends and colleagues that have not only a shared understanding, but are able to tell these stories that were the backdrop of our lives,” explained Latifah and Compere via statement.
The biopic will kick off a series of movies celebrating hip-hop icons. HarbourView Equity Partners is independently funding the series, and the firm is opening its portfolio of over 70 music catalogs for potential use. HarbourView founder and CEO Sherrese Clarke Soares called the project “an honor.”
“As a girl from Queens, Hip-Hop fundamentally shaped who I am. Music and storytelling was my passport to destinations both familiar and untraveled. It is an honor to partner with Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Westbrook to tell these stories and document Queen Latifah’s journey and her undeniable impact on the world,” said Clarke Soares.
Jesse Collins said the project and partnership will have a lasting impact, with Smith noting that it only made sense to kick off the slate of films with the inspiring story of Latifah’s career.
“When you bring talented people and teams together, you can create something truly special. I’m thrilled to work alongside Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and HarbourView to highlight the incredible stories of some of our favorite artists and icons. There’s no better story to start with than the one of Queen Latifah, an undisputed legend who has both entertained and inspired us for so many years,” Smith said.
No word yet on when the biopic will air.
Cover photo: Will Smith Set to Produce New Queen Latifah Biopic/Photo credit: @QueenLatifah/Instagram