By Mike Winslow
The story of legendary Hip-Hop collective The Juice Crew is coming to the big screen in a new movie titled The Vapors.
The Vapors will be directed by Furqaan Clover, who also recently shot Queen of Media, which tells the story of radio personality Wendy Williams.
Actress Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee, Barbershop 2: Back in Business) has been attached to the project to play the role of rapper Roxanne Shante, while actor Clifton Powell (Friday After Next, Norbit) has been cast as influential DJ Mr. Magic.
The Vapors is set against the backdrop of New York City’s Queensbridge Housing Projects, where The Juice crew was based.
The character driven story is inspired by the true life events of DJ Marley Marl, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane and Roxanne Shante and chronicles the group’s rise to fame during Hip-Hop’s golden age.
The legendary collective was headed up by Marley Marl and featured legendary rappers like MC Shan, Big Daddy, Kane, Craig G., Biz Markie, Kool G. Rap and DJ Polo, Roxanne Shante, Masta Ace, TJ Swan, Cool V and Tragedy.
Juice crew members Roxanne Shante and Biz Markie released seminal records on the Philadelphia-based Hip-Hop label Pop Art in 1984, before entering into rap history when Juice Crew member MC Shan released the classic single "The Bridge" in 1986.
The single sparked "The Bridge Wars" between MC Shan and the Juice crew and Bronx rapper KRS-One and his Boogie Down Productions, one of the most legendary feuds in Hip-Hop history.
The Vapors is scheduled to start filming in January of 2008.