Rapper Nas brings 'Beat Street' to Broadway with new adaptation

Rapper Nas is spearheading a musical stage adaptation of the iconic hip-hop movie Beat Street, set to hit Broadway.

The legendary rapper, 50, will expand and create new music based on the film's soundtrack, serving as a producer alongside Arthur Baker, Michael Holman, and Richard Fearn.

The team will announce additional creative members soon.

Following Beat Street's 40th anniversary showing at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, Nas made the announcement.

After a career that included multiplatinum album releases, sixteen Grammy nominations, producing, and directing films and television shows, including Showtime's The Supreme Team, this is his first theatrical venture.

“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,” Nas said.

“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 honour to breathe new life into this iconic work and celebrate its enduring legacy.”

Beat Street is a 1984 South Bronx-based film that chronicles the ascent to fame in the nascent hip-hop industry of graffiti artists, DJs, and breakdancers.

Harry Belafonte, Arthur Baker, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Kool Herc, and Afrika Bambataa & The Sonic Force are among the notable soundtrack contributors.

The film offers a talented cast that includes Rae Dawn Chong, Gus Davis, and Jon Chardiet. Paul Golding, David Gilbert, and Andrew Davis wrote the screenplay.

The musical adaption of this hip-hop hit is being produced by ShowTown Productions' Nathan Gehan and Jamison Scott, who serve as executive producers.