The success of Universal Picture‘s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ has reportedly caused the company to turn its attention to Def Jam Records‘ rise to the top.
Who, what, where and why?
Movie news below…
The actors Michael B. Jordan and Jonah Hill have been linked to the portrayals of its founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin respectively and would help Universal tell the story told by Simmons in 2002’s ‘Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, + God.’
We’re told it would focus on the early years of Def Jam, and how hip hop grew from an underground sensation into a dominant and pivotal voice of culture and change.
Things are still very preliminary, but time is certainly ripe for the project. Not only looking atCompton, Fox’s Empire and the Broadway hit Hamilton demonstrate handily that there’s heavy interest in rap and the rap music business.
Those familiar with the label will know that it birthed the careers of Rihanna, Ashanti and recently celebrated the U.S. launch of their artist Iggy Azalea who followed in the footsteps of LL Cool J and Jay-Z when she inked her deal with the business.
Keep it locked on TGJ for more on this promising movie news.