Rapper Azealia Banks is ready for her close up. The Harlem native will make her big-screen debut in the hip-hop film, Coco. In the Brooklyn-set drama, Banks portrays the title character — an aspiring Hip Hop artist who discovers the world of slam poetry. The ‘spoken word’ develops her verbal strength and propels her toward her rap goals. The Lionsgate film is directed by Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. Common and Jill Scott also star.
Deadline notes:
Banks plays an aspiring twentysomething rapper who wants a career in hip-hop but is torn by her parents’ dreams that she finish college. She gives in. While matriculating, she finds herself in the classroom; she experiences the true calling of the power of the spoken word, which helps her goals as a hip-hop artist. It has a bit of 8 Mile edge to it.
RZA said in a statement:
I’m extremely excited and vigorously inspired to be working with Azealia Banks in my new directorial installment. Producer Paul Hall and I have assembled a cool and eclectic cast to surround Azealia. Our story, which is set in today’s contemporary youth culture, will bring a new voice to cinema that needs to be heard.
“Coco” hits theaters on March 11, 2016.
