After hip hop’s first biopic Notorious became Fox Searchlight’s highest grossing debut of all-time with $21.5 million in ticket sales, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood mined rap’s intriguing legacy for more Tinsel Town gold. Soon to join Notorious B.I.G. in celluloid glory: New Line’s Straight Outta Compton, a two-fisted drama chronicling infamous West Coast rap legends N.W.A., which will reportedly be produced by Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Tomica Wright (Eazy-E’s widow). Likewise, Bill Adler’s definitive biography Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC will get the silver screen treatment by media company DJ Classicz—detailing the rags to riches story of hip-hop’s most influential act of the ‘80s—while The Vapors, a look back at powerful New York rhyme clique the Juice Crew (Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl, Biz Markie, Kool G. Rap, Master Ace and Roxanne Shante), is also in development. And then there’s the long-awaited Tupac Shakur biopic, which recently hit a bump when film company Morgan Creek sued the rap icon’s mother Afeni Shakur for allegedly backing out of a deal to sell the rights to the late rapper’s story. With the recent announcement that Notorious will be released on DVD next month, we put together a list of hip hop artists who deserve the biopic treatment, complete with casting and directors. Lights, camera and…action!
Salt-n-Pepa
The Cast: Salt (Lauren London), Pepa (Ciara), DJ Spinderella (Keke Palmer), Herby “Luv Bug” Azor (Jamie Hector)
The Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life Of Bees, Fox Searchlight, 2008; Love & Basketball, 40 Acres & A Mule, 2000)
The Reason: We’ll use any excuse to see London in a tight spandex suit, doorknocker earrings and an 8 Ball leather jacket.
Snoop Dogg
The Cast: Snoop (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Dre (Henry Simmons), Suge Knight (Sean Ringgold)
The Director: Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Warner Bros, 2001)
The Reason: The infamous Death Row label beat downs are worth the criminal price of popcorn alone.
DMX
The Cast: DMX (Columbus Short)
The Director: James Mangold (Walk The Line, Fox 2000, 2005)
The Reason: Short as a dog-obsessed, manic-depressive, drug-addled rap superstar? It’s already looking better than Belly (Big Dog Films, 1998).
Luther “Luke” Campbell
The Cast: Luke (Jackie Long)
The Director: Oliver Stone (W, Emperor Motion Pictures, 2008; Any Given Sunday, Warner Bros, 1999; The Doors, Bill Graham Films, 1991)
The Reason: Sure, the Miami booty shake godfather’s late ‘80s censorship fight as leader of the infamous 2 Live Crew is a no-brainer for the big screen. But really, this movie can be summed up in two words: Luke Dancers.
Cash Money Millionaires
The Cast: Bryan “Baby” Williams (himself) and Ronald “Slim” Williams (himself), Mannie Fresh (Omar Gooding), Lil’ Wayne (Jordan “Lil JJ” Lewis), Juvenile (Nate Parker), BG (Plies), Turk (Soulja Boy)
The Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Warner Bros., 2006; Goodfellas, Warner Bros, 1990; Raging Bull, Chartoff-Winkler Productions, 1980)
The Reason: And the Oscar goes to…Baby! Best. Acceptance speech. EVER
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