Cynthia Erivo has joined Universal Pictures’ upcoming biopic Snoop as Afeni Shakur, the mother of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. The Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner, who has received three Academy Award nominations, will portray a woman whose influence extended far beyond her famous son. Directed by Craig Brewer, the film stars Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Dogg and Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur. Scheduled to arrive in theatres on August 6, 2027, the biopic brings together several influential figures from hip-hop history while exploring the personal relationships and experiences behind their music.
Afeni Shakur was much more than the mother of a celebrated rapper. Before Tupac Shakur became a global music icon, she had already established herself as a political activist and member of the Black Panther Party. Her life was shaped by political struggles, a high-profile criminal trial and the challenges of raising a family. Her casting in Snoop gives the film an opportunity to explore an important part of Tupac’s personal history through a story centred on Snoop Dogg and his journey in hip-hop.
Born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina in 1947, Afeni Shakur moved to the Bronx at the age of 11. She joined the Black Panther Party in 1968 after hearing its co-founder Bobby Seale speak. A year later, she was among 21 members arrested in connection with an alleged conspiracy to bomb locations in New York. Afeni represented herself during the trial and was acquitted in 1971, shortly before Tupac was born. Her experiences as an activist and her involvement in the trial became defining chapters of her life, providing important context for understanding the environment in which her son grew up.
The relationship between Afeni and Tupac also became an important part of hip-hop history. Tupac’s 1995 song Dear Mama was a heartfelt tribute to his mother and the difficulties she faced while raising him. The track offered a personal perspective on their relationship, acknowledging the challenges of his upbringing while expressing his affection and appreciation for her. It was later selected for preservation in the US Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, recognising its cultural and historical significance.
Following Tupac’s death in 1996, Afeni worked to protect and preserve his artistic legacy. She established the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, continuing her involvement in the cultural and artistic work associated with her son. Her efforts helped maintain his presence beyond his music and public image, while keeping attention on the ideas and experiences that informed his work. Afeni Shakur died in 2016 at the age of 69.
Tupac was also closely connected to Snoop Dogg through the West Coast hip-hop scene of the 1990s. Both artists were associated with Death Row Records, the label that helped define an important period in rap music. Their connection makes Tupac’s presence particularly relevant to a film about Snoop Dogg’s life and career. With Camron Jones portraying Tupac, the casting of Erivo adds another important personal connection to the story, bringing the rapper’s family history into the film’s wider account of the music industry and the people who shaped that era.
There is also an interesting connection between the casting and filmmaker Allen Hughes. Hughes previously directed Dear Mama, the five-part documentary series released by FX in 2023. The series examined the lives of Afeni and Tupac, placing their relationship at the centre of its narrative. It explored Afeni’s political activism, Tupac’s upbringing and the personal experiences that influenced the rapper’s music. Although Hughes is not directing Snoop, his documentary offers an important reference point for understanding the history surrounding Erivo’s character and the relationship between mother and son.
Meanwhile, Erivo brings an established screen career and an extensive record of awards recognition to the project. She previously portrayed abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet, a performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination. She also received widespread recognition for playing Elphaba in the Wicked films. Her achievements across film, television and theatre include a Tony Award, a Grammy Award and a Daytime Emmy, alongside three Academy Award nominations. Her casting as Afeni places her in a role connected to both the personal history of one of hip-hop’s most influential artists and a significant chapter in the political history of the United States.
Craig Brewer, known for directing Hustle & Flow and Song Sung Blue, is directing the biopic from a revised screenplay based on Joe Robert Cole’s original script. The supporting cast includes Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre, Lauren London as Beverly Tate, Algee Smith as Warren G, Tre Hale as Suge Knight and Laya DeLeon Hayes as Shante Broadus. Snoop Dogg is also producing the film alongside Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum and Sara Ramaker.
With Snoop, the filmmakers have an opportunity to move beyond the familiar milestones of a music career and explore the relationships and experiences that shaped the artist. The inclusion of Tupac and Afeni Shakur brings a wider historical and personal dimension to that narrative, connecting Snoop Dogg’s journey with the people and events surrounding the rise of West Coast hip-hop. Erivo’s portrayal of Afeni is particularly significant in this context, as it brings attention to a woman whose political convictions, personal struggles and influence on her son formed an important part of his life.
As the film moves towards its August 6, 2027 theatrical release, further details about its narrative and performances are expected to emerge. For now, Erivo’s casting adds another major name to the project while establishing Afeni Shakur’s place in a story that brings together the lives and legacies of Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur. The connection between these artists, their shared musical history and the personal relationships behind their careers could give the biopic a broader perspective on the people who shaped an important era in hip-hop.
