Cynthia Erivo has signed on to portray Afeni Shakur, the mother of late rap icon Tupac Shakur, in Universal Pictures' upcoming biopic centered on Snoop Dogg, according to an exclusive report. The casting marks another high-profile collaboration between Erivo and the studio as the project moves deeper into development. Details about the size of the role and the film's narrative scope remain under wraps, but the addition of a performer of Erivo's caliber signals that Universal is assembling a serious ensemble around one of hip-hop's most storied figures.
Erivo, an Oscar nominee for "Harriet" and a Tony winner for her work in "The Color Purple," has become one of the industry's most in-demand talents in recent years. She will next be seen in Universal's two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical "Wicked," in which she stars as Elphaba opposite Ariana Grande. That relationship with the studio is widely believed to have helped pave the way for her involvement in the Snoop Dogg project, though neither the studio nor her representatives have commented publicly on the negotiations.
A Role Rooted in Hip-Hop History
Afeni Shakur is a significant figure in the Tupac story and, by extension, in the broader cultural history that the Snoop Dogg biopic will likely touch. A former Black Panther Party member, she was acquitted in a high-profile 1971 trial in New York before raising her son to become one of the most influential and commercially successful rappers of all time. Tupac was killed in a 1996 shooting in Las Vegas, a case that remained unsolved for decades until authorities announced an arrest in 2023. His mother died in 2016.
Portraying Afeni Shakur requires an actor capable of conveying both political conviction and deep maternal resilience, and Erivo's track record suggests she fits that bill. The role also places her at the intersection of two of the film's likely thematic pillars: the rise of West Coast hip-hop and the personal histories that shaped its stars.
Snoop Dogg's Story Heads to the Big Screen
The untitled project will dramatize the life and career of Snoop Dogg, the Long Beach rapper born Calvin Broadus Jr. who emerged in the early 1990s as a protégé of Dr. Dre and became one of the defining voices of gangsta rap. His 1993 debut album, "Doggystyle," debuted atop the Billboard 200 and remains a landmark of the genre. Beyond music, Snoop has built a sprawling public profile spanning television, business ventures and cultural commentary.
Universal has not announced a director, writer, release date or additional cast members for the film. The studio has also declined to confirm how prominently Afeni Shakur figures in the screenplay. The exclusive report did not specify a production start date or a targeted release window.
What the Casting Signals
Erivo's involvement adds considerable prestige to a project that could otherwise be viewed as a standard music biopic. She is one of the few performers equally celebrated for dramatic acting and singing, and her presence may broaden the film's appeal beyond Snoop Dogg's core audience. It also continues a busy period for the actress, who has balanced blockbuster franchise work with stage and independent projects.
The music-biopic genre has been fertile ground for studios in recent years, with films about Elton John, Queen and Bob Marley all reaching theaters to varying degrees of commercial success. A Snoop Dogg film arrives at a moment when hip-hop's foundational stories are increasingly being treated as premium theatrical material.
Universal has not set a timeline for further announcements. For now, the confirmed piece is Erivo's attachment, a development that gives the project a marquee name and a compelling emotional anchor in the figure of Tupac Shakur's mother.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter