Boots Riley’s directorial debut,Sorry To Bother You, is in theaters now. Collaborators and peers from Boots’ Rap career have become major supporters of the film in different ways. Black Thought, Snoop Dogg, and Atmosphere’s Slug bought out showings in their respective areas, offering free tickets to fans, to ensure that no one misses it.
The science fiction comedy was written by The Coup emcee and actors Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, Omari Hardwick, Terry Crews, Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Danny Glover, Steven Yeun, and Armie Hammer. The flick follows a young Black man who uses a white-sounding voice at his telemarketing gig to move ahead, soon finding himself embroiled in a conspiracy that makes him have to decide between his race and his finances.
Since the film hit many theaters on July 6, a couple of Hip Hoppers wanted to help in making for a great opening weekend. Snoop Dogg bought out the house on Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza on opening night. Black Thought bought out a showing in his home area of South Philly at the UA Riverview Plaza 17 and yesterday (July 15), Slug bought tickets for a late show at the Southdale AMC in the Twin Cities area. Each used the hashtag, #supportblackcinema. The rappers also gave the tickets away for free on a first come first serve basis to eager fans.
This isn’t the first time that MCs have aided in the release of a film’s debut. Back in February Big Boi bought out a theater in Atlanta to share Black Panther with hospice patients and their families.
The Coup is releasing an album based on the movie that will mark their seventh release together and is said to feature Janelle Monae, Killer Mike, E-40 and more.
