Azealia Banks, Common & Jill Scott Casted in RZA-Directed Hip-Hop Drama 'Coco'

Azaealia Banks is ready to step away from the microphone and behind the camera. Today (May 27), it was announced that the Broke With Expensive Taste rapper will be starring in a new movie entitled Coco directed by Wu-Tang Clan's RZA.

Banks will be playing the title character in the film, Deadline reports. The hip-hop drama will follow Coco (Banks), a 20-something aspiring rapper who dreams of the big stage. However, her parents pressure her to go to college instead of being a rapper and she caves into their demands. During the course of her studies, Coco "experiences the true calling of the power of the spoken word," and attending college inevitably helps her hip-hop aspirations.

The rap-influenced film is reported to have an 8 Mile feel to it.

Banks isn't the only musician to appear in the movie. Common and Jill Scott are also set to star in Coco. Lucien Laviscount, Lorraine Toussaint and Hana Mae Lee will also appear in the film.

Coco will be released via Lionsgate and Codeblack Films. A set date for the premiere has not been announced.

Nicole Jefferson Asher will write the script and Paul Hall (For Colored Girls, Madea's Witness Protection) will be producing. Director RZA has previously worked on The Man with the Iron Fists as director.

Filming dates for Coco have yet to be announced, but it's presumed to begin shortly. This will be the first acting role for Banks.

Tags

Azealia Banks, RZA, Common, Jill Scott