A Snoop Dogg biopic is due out in less than a year, but relatively little is known about its story. As more details emerge, however, the film appears to be shaping up as something of a tribute to hip-hop rather than a project focused solely on Snoop Dogg.
Alongside the rapper behind Drop It Like It’s Hot, who will be played by American actor Jonathan Davis, best known for Outer Banks, the film will feature several major names from rap history. One of them is The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, who will be portrayed by SwayvoTwain.
SwayvoTwain is the son of D’Angelo and Angie Stone, two artists regarded as pioneers of the neo-soul movement.
Biggie Smalls was considered one of the greatest rappers of his era in the 1990s, but his career ended tragically early. He was shot dead while in his car, stopped at a red light. He died in 1997 at the age of 24. His killer remains unidentified, although many believe his death is closely linked to that of Tupac, which came a year earlier.
His death had a huge impact on the rap scene. Many rappers were affected by the case, not only because of the sadness surrounding it, but also because of fears that they might be next. Snoop Dogg, for example, chose to cancel his tour. Despite rivalries between the various factions of American rap, Snoop Dogg and Biggie Smalls respected each other. Biggie even referred to Snoop in his track Somebody’s gotta die.
Among the other notable names, the cast also includes Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre, Camron Jones will play Tupac, Tre Hale will play Suge Knight, Lauren London will portray Snoop Dogg’s mother, Beverly Tate, and Laya DeLeon will play his wife, Shante Broadus.
The film, titled Snoop, is being directed by Craig Brewer, known for Coming 2 America and the 2011 remake of Footloose. He also produced Katy Perry: Part of Me, a concert film featuring the singer.