Though rap music is still a relatively young genre compared to other popular counterparts, the music and culture of Hip Hop is the United States’ biggest export, permeating the lifestyles of people across the globe. Back in 2009, a Notorious B.I.G. biopic hit theaters and sparked the idea of perhaps a film on Tupac Shakur. There have been rumblings of a possible script for the flick and three possible directors were recruited and later dropped.
This past summer, the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton hit theaters and broke records, dominating the box office at number 1 for weeks on end. With that, Hollywood took notice, realizing that the lives of iconic rap superstars extends far beyond minorities. Taking that cue, yesterday it was revealed that famed music video direct Benny Boom has signed on to direct the highly anticipated 2Pac biopic. He took to Instagram and broke the news.
Sharing a photo of Shakur, he wrote:
I am blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. Telling the story of this revolutionary, artist, visionary, genius, soldier! I will make him proud and uphold the legacy.
This isn’t the first time that a music video directer has worked on the silver screen. Back in 1998, Hype Williams directed the cult classic Belly, which starred DMX and Nas, amongst other notables. Surely, the Hip Hop community and world in general will be chomping at the bit to see a film on rap’s most influential star.
