Azealia Banks to Star in RZA-Directed Feature, ‘Coco’

The hip-hop artist makes her feature acting debut in the Lionsgate drama about an aspiring rapper

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Rapper Azealia Banks will make her feature acting debut in the Lionsgate drama “Coco,” an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.

Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA (“The Man With the Iron Fists”) is set to direct the film, which follows Banks as as a twentysomething rapper in Brooklyn who wants to pursue a music career despite her parents’ desire for her to finish college. Following her parents’ advice, she enrolls in college and experiences the power of the spoken word.

Other cast members include Jill Scott, Lucien Laviscount, Lorraine Toussaint, Hana Mae Lee and Oscar-winning performer Common.

“Coco” will be produced by Paul Hall, based on a screenplay by Nicole Asher.

Banks burst onto the music scene with the 2011 release of her breakout single, “212,” following that in November 2014 with her first studio album, “Broke with Expensive Taste.”

RZA made his directing debut with “The Man With the Iron Fists,” which was written by RZA and Eli Roth. The film starred RZA himself, Russell Crowe, Cung Le, Lucy Liu and Jamie Chung.

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