Roxanne Roxanne

Roxanne Shanté's journey from teen battle rapper to star

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About Roxanne Roxanne

Released: 2018

Platform: Netflix

Rating: TV-MA

Run time: 1h 40m

Cast
Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, Elvis Nolasco, Kevin Phillips, Shenell Edmonds

About Roxanne Roxanne

Roxanne Roxanne is a biographical drama TV show released in 2018 that tells the story of the early years of rapper Roxanne Shanté. The series delves into her struggles and rise to fame in the 1980s hip-hop scene in Queens, New York.

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About

Roxanne Shanté, played by Chanté Adams, grows up in a turbulent environment with an alcoholic mother and struggles to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, she finds solace in music and starts rapping at a young age. Encouraged by her talent, she adopts the persona of Roxanne Shanté and becomes a prominent figure in the male-dominated world of rap battles and hip-hop.

Making / Production

The TV show was written and directed by Michael Larnell. It aims to portray the raw and authentic journey of Roxanne Shanté, highlighting the obstacles she faced and her resilience in overcoming them. The production team worked closely with Roxanne Shanté herself to ensure accuracy in depicting her life story.

Actors

  • Chanté Adams as Roxanne Shanté - Adams delivers a powerful performance capturing the emotional depth and strength of the protagonist.
  • Mahershala Ali as Cross - Ali plays the role of a neighborhood hustler who has a significant impact on Roxanne's life.
  • Nia Long as Ms. Peggy - Long portrays Roxanne's mother, a complex character dealing with her own struggles.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

  • Roxanne Roxanne premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 to critical acclaim.
  • The real Roxanne Shanté was involved in the casting and production of the show, providing insights and personal anecdotes.

Awards

Roxanne Roxanne garnered nominations for various awards, including several NAACP Image Awards and Black Reel Awards.

Quotes

  • "You gotta control your emotions to get respect in this game." - Roxanne Shanté
  • "I'll always tell people the truth about my struggles because that's what built my legend." - Roxanne Shanté

Music

The show features a mix of original music and tracks from the 1980s hip-hop scene, creating an authentic and immersive soundtrack that enhances the storytelling.

Soundtrack

  • "Roxanne's Revenge" by Roxanne Shanté
  • "The Bridge" by MC Shan