Roxanne Roxanne

One of the greatest lyricists out of Queens, New York, the film Roxanne Roxanne follows the rise of Roxanne Shanté as she faces not only the challenges of rival battle rappers,but also struggles against the hard edges of a world that shows little mercy to a young woman trying to find her way.

Set against the backdrop of the early 1980s hip-hop scene, the film captures Shanté’s raw talent and relentless drive to make a name for herself in a male-dominated industry. At the same time, it delves into her personal battles with poverty, family pressures, and the harsh realities of life in the projects. Anchored by a powerful performance from Chanté Adams, Roxanne Roxanne is a gritty and inspiring portrait of resilience, ambition, and the unbreakable spirit of a hip-hop pioneer.

Nia Long and Mahershala Ali deliver powerful supporting performances that deepen the emotional weight of the film. Long plays Roxanne’s fiercely protective yet flawed mother, capturing the tension between love and survival in a household shaped by hardship. Ali portrays a charismatic but deeply complicated figure in Roxanne’s life, embodying both the allure and the danger that surround her as she tries to navigate a path to success. Together, their performances help paint a raw, unflinching portrait of the personal battles Roxanne faced beyond the rap battles that made her a legend.