Roxanne Roxanne
Roxanne Roxanne

Movie spotlight

Roxanne Roxanne

2017
Movie
98 min
English

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.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users84%
Director: Rhiannon YappGenres: Biography, Drama, Music

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of Roxanne Shanté, a pioneering hip-hop artist who rose to fame in the 1980s as a teenager. It depicts her struggles with poverty, motherhood, and the music industry while trying to maintain her artistic integrity and navigate complex personal relationships. Roxanne Roxanne offers a raw and intimate look at the challenges faced by a young woman determined to make her mark in a male-dominated world.

Critical Reception

Roxanne Roxanne received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise directed at Chante Adams's performance as Roxanne Shanté. Reviewers commended the film for its authentic portrayal of the hip-hop scene and Shanté's journey, though some found the narrative pacing uneven at times. The film was recognized for its strong performances and its exploration of themes of ambition, resilience, and the pressures of early fame.

What Reviewers Say

  • Chante Adams delivers a star-making performance as Roxanne Shanté.

  • The film offers a compelling and authentic portrayal of an iconic hip-hop figure.

  • While sometimes uneven, the movie effectively captures the spirit and struggles of its subject.

Google audience: Google users largely praised the film, highlighting Chante Adams's incredible performance and the movie's ability to capture the raw energy and struggles of Roxanne Shanté's early career. Many appreciated the authentic depiction of the 1980s hip-hop scene and Shanté's journey as a young mother and artist.

Awards & Accolades

Chante Adams won a Sundance Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance for her role as Roxanne Shanté.

Fun Fact

Roxanne Shanté herself served as an executive producer on the film, giving her direct input into the portrayal of her life story.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
A-Dubya

A-Dubya

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 ...

Video Reviews

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