Cynthia Erivo is stepping into hip-hop history, having joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic, Snoop, where she will portray Afeni Shakur, the mother of late rap icon Tupac Shakur.

The casting announcement adds another major name to the film, which is centred on Snoop Dogg’s journey from Long Beach, California, to becoming one of hip-hop’s most recognisable figures.

Erivo joins a growing cast led by Jonathan Daviss, who will portray Snoop Dogg, while Camron Jones has been cast as Tupac Shakur. Other cast members include Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre, Lauren London as Snoop’s mother Beverly Tate, Algee Smith as Warren G and Tre Hale as Suge Knight.

Afeni Shakur was more than just the mother of one of rap’s most influential artists. She was a prominent activist and former member of the Black Panther Party, whose experiences and relationship with her son became an important part of Tupac’s personal story and music.

Her influence was famously captured in Tupac’s 1995 song “Dear Mama,” one of the most emotional records in his catalogue. Following his death in 1996, Afeni also managed his estate and worked to preserve his musical legacy until her passing in 2016.

Erivo, known for her performances in Wicked, Harriet and The Color Purple, brings considerable acting experience to the role. Her portrayal of Afeni will introduce another important dimension to the film’s exploration of the people and relationships surrounding Snoop’s rise in the music industry.

Directed by Craig Brewer, the biopic is being produced by Snoop Dogg, Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker. The film will feature music from Snoop’s extensive catalogue and is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on August 6, 2027.

With the casting of Erivo and Jones, the production is bringing two important figures from Tupac’s life into a film documenting the era that helped shape West Coast hip-hop.