David Banner, Cuba Gooding Jr. Set to Star in Upcoming Film About the Juice Crew

Rapper David Banner and Academy Award winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. are set to appear in an upcoming independent film about Marley Marl’s legendary Juice Crew. Called The Vapors, the film will chronicle the rise of the groundbreaking Queens collective that counted MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Craig G, Tragedy Khadafi, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Masta Ace, and Roxanne Shanté as members. According to Blackfilm.com, Banner will play Biz Markie, while Cuba Gooding Jr. will fill the role of pioneering DJ and crew founder Marley Marl. Other cast members include singer/actress Keke Palmer as Roxanne Shanté and The Wire’s Idris Elba as Tyronne Williams a.k.a Fly Ty. Marley founded the Juice Crew in the late 80’s and they went on to release the classic posse cut “The Symphony,” followed by a number of monumental solo records from individual members. MC Shan’s “The Bridge” famously ignited a battle with KRS-One and his Bronx based Boogie Down Productions, and Shanté’s “Roxanne’s Revenge” spawned a seemingly endless string of copycat and response tracks. Big Daddy Kane, Marley and Roxanne Shanté are all executive producing the film in conjunction with Questionmark Entertainment. Director Furqaan Clover is expected to helm the project, and filming is scheduled to begin in January 2008.