Three film and television studios that center Black stories are coming together to produce a slate of hip-hop biopics — and they’ve announced that Queen Latifah ’s will be first. Neither a writer nor director has been announced yet, but Queen Latifah herself will be one of the producers through her company, Flavor Unit Entertainment. Will Smith ’s Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins’ Jesse Collins Entertainment are also on board for Latifah’s biopic.
In a statement, Smith emphasized the importance of starting with the “Ladies First” artist’s story, which includes her rise as one of rap’s most prominent and political women, as well as building a Grammy, Golden Globe, and NAACP Image award-winning career in film and television. “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. “We all came into this industry together and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us,” Latifah and her business partner Shakim Compere said in a statement.
“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.” Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment, which she runs with Compere, has produced much of Latifah’s h.