The buzz for the Notorious B.I.G. biopic is going to pick up now that a teaser clip has hit the net. The 75-second Notorious video opens with a chilling sound byte of B.I.G. predicting his own demise. When asked where he expected to see himself in 10 years he replied that he didn't think he would be so lucky to live that much longer, despite his desire to simply enjoy family life.
The Fox Searchlight film out January 16 will be significant in bringing much deserved attention and homage to the hip-hop great. Unlike Tupac, B.I.G.'s fellow slain rapper, friend and nemesis, the music business has not been over saturated with posthumous releases in his honor.
What most people want to know, however, is if Brooklyn rapper/actor Jamal Woodard, who plays Biggie Smalls, can pull off portraying one of the most respected and gifted rappers of all time.
Judging by the response of Voletta Wallace, Biggie's mother, who was around during the casting, Woodard immediately reminded her of her son when she first saw him at the audition. All the directors had the same reaction.
The hype for the movie is also fueled by the recent release of the book Keep The Faith from the late rapper's widow Faith Evans. The title is No. 22 on the New York Times' best seller's list and documents her finding B.I.G. and Lil' Kim in bed and being caught in the middle of B.I.G.'s feud with Tupac.
It will be funny to see how Naturi Naughton does in the role of Lil' Kim. This controversial character who spews sexually explicit lyrics is completely different than G-rated personas her former 3LW bandmates Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams have pursued as the Disney superstars The Cheetah Girls. It would be good for Naturi to get another shot after getting the boot from 3LW.
Other interesting credits include Angela Bassett as Voletta; Derek Luke as Diddy; and Antonique Smith as Faith Evans. The movie was co-written by Cheo Hodari Coker, who interviewed Biggie three days before he was fatally shot after leaving a music industry after party on March 9, 1997. It was Biggie's last interview.