Nas has played a key role in disseminating the craft and culture of rap to unique places, and he is now joining forces with a fellow industry veteran on a new theater production.
On Friday (June 14), the New York City native attended the 40th anniversary screening of Beat Street at the Tribeca Film Festival. At the event, Esco announced that he will be developing a stage adaptation of the 1984 movie about the early days of Hip Hop. In addition to taking on the role of producer, he will also work on the soundtrack.
“Beat Street wasn’t just a film – it spread the revolution of Hip Hop culture throughout the country and the world. It left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of young artists and creating new Hip Hop fans alike,” he said.
“It’s a thrill for me to join the creative team of Beat Street, bringing the raw energy of Hip Hop into the fabric of Broadway. It’s an honor to breathe new life into this iconic work and celebrate its enduring legacy.”
Arthur Baker, who oversaw the music featured in the movie, is on the creative team as well. He is joined by Michael Holman, the associate producer of the classic. Both are industry veterans who have a deep history with the genre through music, film and art.
Though the people involved with the project are working toward securing a Broadway residency, this has yet to be locked in.
Just last month, Alicia Keys’ Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen was nominated for a whopping 13 Tony Awards.
Soon after the news began making the rounds, Swizz Beatz shared a video of the moment his wife learned about her many nominations early in the morning.
Q-Tip Joins The Team Behind New Broadway Musical About Muhammad Ali
“13 TONY Nominations is worthy of popping a bottle at 7am,” she captioned the post of her celebrating with some champaign.
Hell’s Kitchengot its start at the Public Theater last year, after which it transferred to the Shubert Theater on Broadway for March previews and a late-April opening.
“Good things take time and for 13 years, I’ve been dreaming, developing and finding inspiration for a musical based on my experience growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC,” the pianist said following the upgrade.
“Hell’s Kitchen is inspired by my life, but it’s not a biographical story. It’s a story about family relationships and identity: Who are we? Who do we want to be? Who are we becoming? The score features new songs that I’m really excited to get out into the world alongside many of my album releases that you know but you’ve never heard like this – rearranged and reinterpreted.”
