Source: Jason Armond/Getty
Us has announced plans to bring an adaptation of the iconic Hip-Hop film Beat Street on Broadway.
While construction an appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival last Friday (June 14) for a special screening of the film Beat Street, Nash announced plans to bring the film to the bright lights of Broadway as a musical. He will join the creative team that currently consists of Arthur Baker, Michael Holman and British investor Richard Fearn. Other team members are expected to be named in the coming weeks. Baker served as co-producer, composer and music producer for the original film, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of its original 1984 release at the festival. Holman was an original associate producer on the film.
Beat Street follows teenagers – a DJ, a graffiti artist and a break-dancer – from the South Bronx trying to make it big as Hip-Hop grows in popularity. The film, brought to life by respected actor and activist Harry Belafonte, starred Rae Dawn Chong, Gus Davis and Jon Chardiet alongside several notable artists and groups of the era, including DJ Kool Herc, Doug E. Fresh and the Rock Steady Crew including. . Belafonte would contribute music to the two-volume soundtrack, with the first volume becoming one of the first rap records to be certified gold. Beat Street was directed by Stan Lathan, and will go on to be one of culture's most impressive films.
“Beat Street it wasn't just a movie – it spread the hip-hop culture revolution across the country and the world. He left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of new artists and creating new fans of Hip-Hop,” Nas said in a statement. “It's a thrill for me to join his creative team Beat Street, bringing the raw energy of Hip-Hop to the Broadway fabric. It is an honor to breathe new life into this iconic work and celebrate its lasting legacy.” The upcoming musical adaptation is the Queensbridge native's first foray into theater, continuing a stellar career with multi-platinum albums, 16 Grammy nominations, and producing and directing film and television projects through Mass Appeal.