Roxanne Roxanne! Tomorrow marks the premiere of the new Michael Larnell-directed Netflix Film documenting the story of Juice Crew member and Queensbridge rapper, Roxanne Shanté. If you ever watched the Beef video series, you’re likely more than up to speed with her role in the Roxanne Wars. A feud that likely produced more diss records and response records than any other in hip-hop history. If you’re unfamiliar with Roxanne Shanté, here’s a quick breakdown from Wikipedia on her history. Spoiler alert! Ha.
“She grew up in a tough New York neighborhood in the ’80s and made history with ‘Roxanne’s Revenge.’ The story of teen battle rap champ Roxanne Shante.”
“In 1984, the hip-hop trio U.T.F.O., produced by the R&B group Full Force, released a single titled ‘Hanging Out,’ which did not do well. However, it was the single’s B side, ‘Roxanne, Roxanne,’ a song about a woman who would not respond to their advances, that gained much attention and airplay.
Soon afterwards, 14-year-old Lolita Shanté Gooden was walking outside a New York City housing project called Queensbridge, when she heard Tyrone Williams, disc jockey Mr. Magic, and record producer Marley Marl talking about how U.T.F.O. had canceled their appearance at a show they were promoting. Gooden offered to make a hip-hop record that would get back at U.T.F.O., with her taking on the moniker Roxanne Shanté, after her middle name. The three took her up on the idea, with Marley producing ‘Roxanne’s Revenge.’ The single was released in late 1984, taking the original beats from an instrumental version of ‘Roxanne, Roxanne.’ It was very confrontational and laced with profanities, but was an instant hit that sold over 250,000 copies in the New York area alone. Legal action followed, and it was re-released in early 1985 with new beats and the obscenities removed.”
Roxanne Roxanne hits Netflix on Mar. 23 and stars Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali and Nia Long. Adams won a Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance at the Sundance Film Festival.
Check out the trailer below and click here for Roxanne Shanté’s catalogue on Apple Music.
