Queen Latifah biopic in production from Flavor Unit, Westbrook, Jesse Collins

EXCLUSIVE: Flavor Unit Entertainment, Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins Entertainment are teaming up to produce a series of hip-hop biopics about iconic artists, the first of which will chronicle the rise of Queen Latifah.

Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere will produce for Flavor Unit Entertainment. Will Smith and Miguel Melendez will serve as producers for Westbrook Studios. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will produce for Jesse Collins Entertainment, the company that produced the music biopics, The new edition story And The Story of Bobby BrownCharlie Mack will also join the project as a producer.

The program is independently funded by HarbourView Equity Partners, which makes available a portfolio of more than 70 music catalogs containing thousands of titles across numerous genres, eras and artists for potential development opportunities.

“We all came into this industry together and Hip Hop has shaped us all. Hip Hop’s impact has gone beyond just music and has left a lasting impression on the culture and society at large,” said Oscar nominee Queen Latifah and host of Flavor Unit Entertainment. “It’s a dream to be able to collaborate with friends and colleagues who not only have a shared understanding, but are able to tell these stories that have shaped our lives.”

“When you bring talented people and teams together, you can create something truly special,” said Smith, “I’m thrilled to partner with Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment and HarbourView to highlight the incredible stories of some of our favorite artists and icons. There’s no better story to start with than that of Queen Latifah, an undisputed legend who has entertained and inspired us for so many years.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to stand with our friends at HarbourView, Flavor Unit and Westbrook,” said Collins. “Queen Latifah’s story is one of triumph that needs to be shared with the world. Joining forces with such incredible people to educate and inspire through storytelling is just the beginning of the impact this partnership will have.”

“As a girl from Queens, hip-hop has been fundamentally my life. Music and storytelling have been my passport to destinations both familiar and unfamiliar,” said Sherrese Clarke Soares, Founder and CEO of HarbourView. “It’s an honor to partner with Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment and Westbrook to tell these stories and document Queen Latifah’s journey and her undeniable impact on the world.”

“On behalf of Westbrook, we are thrilled to have brought together such great partners in Jesse Collins Entertainment and Flavor Unit Entertainment to produce some truly exciting hip-hop biopics,” said Denise Bailey-Castro, CFO of Westbrook Inc. “This unique partnership, with the support of HarbourView, allows us to combine our resources and best-in-class production capabilities to tell the culture-defining stories of these hip-hop legends in a premium way.”

More details about the Queen Latifah film and other projects will be announced soon.