Hip Hop has made it’s mark on virtually every media platform known to man, and now its storming Broadway.
Def Jam poet Saul Williams will star in the anticipated Broadway musical Holler if Ya Hear Me. The play is also said to feature Christopher Jackson, Tonya Pinkins, and Saycon Sengbloh.
Holler if Ya Hear Me is described as “A new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur” and is to feature some of his famous hits such as ” Me Against the World” ” Keep Ya Head Up” and ” California Love”. Although inspired by the late rapper’s music, the story itself is not based directly on Shakur’s life or death. Set in the inner city, the musical chronicles the experiences of two childhood friends as the face the challenges and realities of their everyday lives.
The play was partially produced by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur and directed by Tony Award nominated director Kenny Leon. Leon is also directing this spring’s A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington. Leon, who recently spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated ” Selfishly, this is a great thing for me. I feel a great amount of responsibility to his work, to his mother.”
The play is scheduled to premiere at the Palace Theater on May 26th , and officially open to the public on June 19th.