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In addition to plotting a reunion with The Fugees, rapper Pras has snagged the rights to produce the story of legendary author Robert “Iceberg Slim” Beck.
The film will be an adaptation of Iceberg Slim’s book “Pimp: The Story of My Life,” which was originally released in 1969.
The movie was originally set to star Ice Cube, with Quincy Jones as one of the producers, but was caught up in development at Fox Searchlight.
The plot centers around Iceberg’s life as a hustler and pimp in late 1920’s Chicago.
Iceberg Slim had another book turned into a feature, as “Trick Baby” was brought to the silver screen by Universal in 1973.
Born Robert Lee Maupin in Chicago, Illinois in 1918, Iceberg Slim was raised as a teen in Chicago.
His father abandoned them and his mother supported the family by working as a maid. She also owned a beauty shop.
He became a pimp at the age of 18 and continued until the age of 42. He did a stretch of prison time at Leavenworth and did a 10 month stint in solitary confinement at Cook County House of Corrections in 1960.
The ordeal turned Iceberg Slim “square,” and he started writing about his life experiences as opposed to living a life of crime.
The film rights to "Pimp" were originally acquired by Universal as well, due to the popularity of “The Godfather.”
The project was considered too controversial, so Universal put out “Trick Baby” instead.
Many lyricists in the rap game acknowledge Iceberg Slim as an influence, including Ice Cube and Ice-T, who are named after the author.
"Iceberg Slim was true to where he came from,” Ice-T wrote at the beginning of the previously unpublished Iceberg Slim book “Doom Fox,” which was released in 1998.
“He ruled the streets of Chicago for twenty-five years and he chose not to write about what he didn't know,” Ice-T continued. “He knew pimping. He knew hustling. He knew the streets. What he calls 'The Life' is still the same roller-coaster ride it's always been."
Iceberg Slim passed away April 28, 1992 at age 73.
No release date was available for Pras’ production.
Source: allhiphop.com
The film will be an adaptation of Iceberg Slim’s book “Pimp: The Story of My Life,” which was originally released in 1969.
The movie was originally set to star Ice Cube, with Quincy Jones as one of the producers, but was caught up in development at Fox Searchlight.
The plot centers around Iceberg’s life as a hustler and pimp in late 1920’s Chicago.
Iceberg Slim had another book turned into a feature, as “Trick Baby” was brought to the silver screen by Universal in 1973.
Born Robert Lee Maupin in Chicago, Illinois in 1918, Iceberg Slim was raised as a teen in Chicago.
His father abandoned them and his mother supported the family by working as a maid. She also owned a beauty shop.
He became a pimp at the age of 18 and continued until the age of 42. He did a stretch of prison time at Leavenworth and did a 10 month stint in solitary confinement at Cook County House of Corrections in 1960.
The ordeal turned Iceberg Slim “square,” and he started writing about his life experiences as opposed to living a life of crime.
The film rights to "Pimp" were originally acquired by Universal as well, due to the popularity of “The Godfather.”
The project was considered too controversial, so Universal put out “Trick Baby” instead.
Many lyricists in the rap game acknowledge Iceberg Slim as an influence, including Ice Cube and Ice-T, who are named after the author.
"Iceberg Slim was true to where he came from,” Ice-T wrote at the beginning of the previously unpublished Iceberg Slim book “Doom Fox,” which was released in 1998.
“He ruled the streets of Chicago for twenty-five years and he chose not to write about what he didn't know,” Ice-T continued. “He knew pimping. He knew hustling. He knew the streets. What he calls 'The Life' is still the same roller-coaster ride it's always been."
Iceberg Slim passed away April 28, 1992 at age 73.
No release date was available for Pras’ production.
Source: allhiphop.com