Roxanne Roxanne

2017

1h 38m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

122

YOUR RATING

Rate

POPULARITY

Play trailer

1 Video

12 Images

Drama

The most feared battle emcee in the early 1980s in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenager from the Queensbridge projects. At the age of 14, Roxanne Shanté was well on her way to becoming a hip-hop legend, as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the street.

Directors

Michael Larnell

Writers

Michael Larnell(writer by)

Stars

Chanté Adams

Mahershala Ali

Nia Long

See production, box office & company info

Videos1

Trailer
Watch Roxanne Roxanne | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

Photos12

Top cast

Roxanne Shanté

Cross

Ms. Peggy

Ray

Ranita

Attorney Schwartz

Germar Terrell Gardner

Antwan

Big John

Biz

Classmate #1

Dave

Fastima

Frank

Jake

Keith

Latifa

Lounge Patron

MC Shan

Directors

Michael Larnell

Writers

Michael Larnell(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews1

Review

Featured review

4/10

I was hoping for more. I thought it would delve further into her battles in the hip-hop world, and include more than just brief cameos of rap legends and icons (Biz Markie, MC Shan, Marley Marl, and a young NaS), but instead it turned into just a pseudo-bio/male-bashing escapade. I enjoyed some parts about it, primarily the focus on her rap career, Roxanne's Revenge, and how she came up in the game, but a lot of the time, it felt like this film was something it wasn't advertised as. Being a huge hip hop fan, mainly of the 80's and 90's, I was excited when i saw a biopic on Roxanne Shante. I'm a huge fan of NY hip hop from this era. I was disappointed when most of the film focused on her family struggles, and poor relationships (I would even say decisions too) with men. I knew there would be a backstory about her upbringing, but instead of really talking about the hip hop pioneer that she was, and maybe battles with KRS and others, it was like a 45 minute man-bashing flick veiled as a doc about a hip hop legend. Almost every male character is basically portrayed as abusive, manipulative, violent, or a sexual predator. The few males that somewhat have redeemable qualities are pushed aside, not to be focused on. This trope is one that seems to be the norm far too often in films of the last few years. It is very annoying to me, and reeks of disillusion. Every male is not a creep, just as every female is not a saint in the real world. Even the last excerpt at the end of the film before the credits was so out of place, and didn't seem to fit anything other than an agenda to bash males for "not handling their responsibilities, and bringing women flowers". What this has to do with hip hop culture, or anything relevant, for that matter, is beyond me. It could have been so much better, if it legitimately was about the career of Roxanne Shante, and her rise as a hip hop icon in the 80's. 2 door knocker ear rings out of 5.

A-Dubya04 Apr, 2018