Rapper Nas has announced that he will be part of the creative team adapting the film, Beat Street for Broadway.
Nas made the announcement last June 14, at a 40th anniversary screening of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival. He said: "Beat Street wasn't just a film - it spread the revolution of hip-hop culture throughout the country and the world. It left an indelible mark, inspiring generations of young artists and creating new hip-hop fans alike. It's a thrill for me to join the creative team of Beat Street, bringing the raw energy of hip-hop into the fabric of Broadway. It's an honor to breathe new life into this iconic work and celebrate its enduring legacy."
The Beat Street adaptation is being produced by Richard Fearn, Arthur Baker-who was also the film's co-producer, composer and music producer-and Michael Holman-the film's associate producer. The musical will expand on the film, and create new material to complement the original's numbers.
Besides producing multiplatinum albums and earning 16 Grammy nominees, Nas has also worked on television projects, such as The Supreme Team. The Beat Street musical will be his first foray into theater.