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Lifetime Greenlights ‘Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story’ Biopic Celebrating 80s Freestyle Icon

Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story

Lifetime is bringing the incredible story of 80s music icon Lisa Velez, better known as Lisa Lisa, to the screen with a new biopic, Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story. Known for her role in the groundbreaking group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Velez became a pioneer for Latinx artists in mainstream pop, inspiring generations to come.

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The film stars Jearnest Corchado (Sneakerheads, Little America) as a young Velez, Bre Z (All American, Empire) as her best friend and fellow artist Toni Ménage, and Angie Martinez, the renowned New York City radio personality, as Nurse Rodriguez. Velez herself will appear, portraying her own mother—a powerful connection between her past and present as she also takes on the role of executive producer for the film. Directed by Tailiah Breon from a script by Rebecca Murga, Can You Feel the Beat will be part of Lifetime’s 2025 Voices of a Lifetime slate, alongside the Mary J. Blige-inspired Family Affair.

Set in the heart of New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, the story follows Velez’s journey from a 15-year-old Puerto Rican girl with big dreams to becoming a genre-defining music sensation. Her impact was so profound that she inspired future icons like Selena Quintanilla and Jennifer Lopez, while her hits, such as “Can You Feel The Beat,” “All Cried Out,” and “Lost in Emotion,” brought freestyle music to the mainstream. But Velez’s rise wasn’t without its challenges. As a teenager, she faced sexism and racism head-on, even concealing a breast cancer diagnosis to pursue her dreams. Her talent, resilience, and the support of her close friend Toni Ménage, played by Bre Z, helped Velez navigate the complex entertainment industry, taking control of both her personal and professional life.

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Lifetime shared that the film captures “two best friends who refused to allow themselves to be destroyed by the entertainment business, filled with twists and turns and ends triumphantly as the two refused to give up on their dreams.” It’s a celebration of friendship, ambition, and the unbreakable will that drove Velez to become the first Latina artist to top multiple Billboard music charts, proving that her music was anything but niche—her songs became universal anthems, heard on MTV and radio stations worldwide.

The title Can You Feel the Beat is borrowed from one of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam’s hits that defined an era and remains beloved by fans old and new. The track, released in 1985, reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Dance chart and climbed the Hot 100 and R&B charts as well. Freestyle, the genre they helped popularize, continues to resonate with younger generations, speaking to the timeless appeal of the group’s artistry.

Produced by Swirl Films, Can You Feel the Beat features an impressive lineup of executive producers, including casting director Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Velez, Ménage, Abbey Sibucao, Ron Robinson, and Eric Tomosunas. The project is a collaboration with GroupM Motion Entertainment, with Richard Foster and Chet Fenster also serving as executive producers.

Mark your calendars for 2025 to catch Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story and witness the tale of a music legend who helped change the face of pop culture, inspiring countless artists and fans alike.

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