Flavor Unit Entertainment, Westbrook Studios, and Jesse Collins Entertainment are joining forces to create a series of biopics celebrating iconic Hip Hop artists. The first film in this ambitious slate will focus on the rise and impact of Queen Latifah (real name Dana Owens).
Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere will produce the biopic through Flavor Unit Entertainment, while Will Smith and Miguel Melendez will oversee production for Westbrook Studios. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will handle production for Jesse Collins Entertainment, known for their successful music biopics, The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. Additionally, Charlie Mack will contribute as a producer on the project.
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The biopic slate will be independently financed by HarbourView Equity Partners. This partnership will leverage HarbourView’s extensive portfolio of over 70 music catalogs, featuring thousands of titles across a wide range of genres, for future development opportunities.
Queen Latifah, an Oscar nominee, expressed her excitement about the project, saying, “We all came into this industry together, and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us. 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 who not only have a shared understanding but are able to tell these stories that were the backdrop of our lives.”
Will Smith shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “When you bring talented people and teams together, you can create something truly special. I’m thrilled to work alongside Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and HarbourView to highlight the incredible stories of some of our favorite artists and icons. There’s no better story to start with than Queen Latifah’s, an undisputed legend who has both entertained and inspired us for so many years.”
Jesse Collins echoed the sentiment, saying, “We cannot be more excited to stand alongside our friends at HarbourView, Flavor Unit, and Westbrook. Queen Latifah’s story is one of triumph that needs to be shared with the world. Joining forces with such amazing people to educate and inspire through storytelling is just the beginning of the impact this partnership will have.”
Sherrese Clarke Soares, Founder & CEO of HarbourView, emphasized the personal connection to Hip Hop, stating, “As a girl from Queens, Hip Hop fundamentally shaped who I am. Music and storytelling were my passport to destinations both familiar and untraveled. It is an honor to partner with Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Westbrook to tell these stories and document Queen Latifah’s journey and her undeniable impact on the world.”
Denise Bailey-Castro, CFO of Westbrook Inc., added, “On behalf of Westbrook, we are thrilled to have brought together such incredible partners in Jesse Collins Entertainment and Flavor Unit Entertainment to produce some truly exciting Hip Hop biopics. This unique partnership, with support from HarbourView, will allow us to combine our resources and best-in-class production capabilities to tell the culture-defining stories of these Hip Hop legends in a premium way.”
Further details about the Queen Latifah biopic and other projects in the slate will be announced soon.