On December 1st, a new feature length musical drama & film called Love Beats Rhymes will hit select theaters & digital platforms, which will follow the journey of an aspiring hip-hop artist who stumbles across the underground world of slam poetry. Originally titled “Coco,” the RZA-directed film is set to feature a slew of notable names & musical artists themselves, including Azealia Banks, Common, Jill Scott, and MC Jin to name a few. On Wednesday, the film’s first trailer surfaced online, and it gives us an idea of what’s to come.
In the trailer, Coco (Azealia Banks) is trying to be an aspiring artist and decides to take a poetry class to help with her lyrical flow and showboats some raps in class, which doesn't seem to immediately impress her teacher (portrayed by Jill Scott), who challenges and inspires the rapper. She eventually heads to an underground-styled poetry slam which Common described as a place "where time stands still.” Coco looks to find her true voice and true love in this uplifting movie presented by Lionsgate films.
"I'm extremely excited and vigorously inspired to be working with Azealia Banks in my new directorial installment," RZA said in a statement. "Producer Paul Hall and I have assembled a cool and eclectic cast to surround Azealia. Our story, which is set in today's contemporary youth culture, will bring a new voice to cinema that needs to be heard.”
“This is my first film, my first leading role. I worked hard on this and am excited to see what doors open after this.” Azealia Banks said on IG yesterday.
Check out the official trailer (below) and look for the movie to hit DVD on January 2, 2018.
In other related news, RZA & the Wu Tang Clan are getting ready to release a new album this Friday called Wu Tang Clan: The Saga Continues, which will be executive produced by RZA. Peep the tracklist & artwork right here if you missed it.
In addition, Azealia Banks is currently in the midst of her nationwide tour, which will wrap up at the end of the month in San Francisco. Check out tour dates for that right here if interested.
