All hail the queen.

Flavor Unit Entertainment, Westbrook Studios, and Jesse Collins Entertainment are joining forces to produce a series of biopics about iconic hip-hop artists, kicking off with a film about Queen Latifah’s journey to fame.

Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere will produce for Flavor Unit Entertainment, while Will Smith and Miguel Melendez will represent Westbrook Studios. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will produce for Jesse Collins Entertainment, known for their work on The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. Charlie Mack will also be a producer for the project.

The biopics will be independently financed by HarbourView Equity Partners, which will draw from a portfolio of over 70 music catalogs, spanning numerous genres and eras, offering a wealth of material for future projects.

QUEEN LATIFAH HIP HOP & ACTING ICON

Reflecting on the collaboration, Queen Latifah and Compere expressed their excitement: “We all came into this industry together, and hip-hop has shaped each of us. Its impact reaches beyond music, leaving a lasting mark on culture and society. It’s a dream to work with friends and colleagues who share a deep understanding and can tell these stories that have been the backdrop of our lives.”

Will Smith also shared his enthusiasm: “When you bring talented people and teams together, something truly special happens. I’m thrilled to work alongside Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and HarbourView to highlight the incredible stories of our favorite artists and icons. Queen Latifah’s story, in particular, is one of triumph, and she continues to inspire us.”

Jesse Collins echoed this sentiment, saying, “Queen Latifah’s story is one that needs to be shared with the world. This partnership marks the beginning of a meaningful series of projects aimed at educating and inspiring through storytelling.”

THE QUEEN FROM QUEENS

Sherrese Clarke Soares, Founder & CEO of HarbourView, added, “As a girl from Queens, hip-hop fundamentally shaped who I am. Music and storytelling became my passport to explore both familiar and uncharted destinations. Partnering with Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Westbrook to tell these powerful stories, starting with Queen Latifah’s, is an honor.”

Denise Bailey-Castro, CFO of Westbrook Inc., also praised the collaboration: “This partnership, with the support of HarbourView, brings together top-notch production resources to tell the defining stories of hip-hop legends in a premium way.”

Details about the Queen Latifah film and other biopics in the series will be announced soon, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in hip-hop storytelling according to IDBM.