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Roxanne Roxanne

Roxanne Roxanne

  • Status: Released
  • 22-01-2017
  • Runtime: 98 min
  • Score: 6
  • Vote count: 120

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.

Chanté Adams

Roxanne Shanté

Mahershala Ali

Cross

Nia Long

Ms. Peggy

Elvis Nolasco

Ray

Shenell Edmonds

Ranita

Adam Horovitz

Attorney Schwartz

Germar Terrell Gardner

Antwan

Terrence Shingler

Big John

Nigel A. Fullerton

Biz

Kristin Dodson

Classmate #1

Curtiss Cook

Dave

Lyric Hurd

Fastima

Anthony Bisciello

Frank

Melvin Mogoli

Jake

Sean Ringgold

Keith

Eden Duncan-Smith

Latifa

Caleb Eberhardt

Lounge Patron

Arnstar

MC Shan

Kevin Phillips

Marley

Drew Olivia Tillman

Monique

Nelsan Ellis

Mr. Lester

Charlie Hudson III

Mr. Magic

Tonye Patano

Ms. Denise

Heather Simms

Ms. Gina

Tremaine Brown Jr.

Nasir

Cindy Cheung

Nurse Mitchell

Jermaine Crawford

Park Jam MC

Sharon Gee

Asian Waitress

Meryl Jones Williams

Photographer

Abraham Infante

Raoul

Jermel Howard

Roland

Miles J. Harvey

Ronald

Cheryse Dyllan

Sparky Dee

Mitchell Edwards

Tone

Angela Wildflower

Vanessa

Eddie K. Robinson

Venue Worker

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 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.