Shanté, the protagonist of Roxanne Shanté biopic “Roxanne Roxanne,” is used to people speaking for her. When she comes home past curfew, she can’t get a word in while her mother, Peggy (Nia Long, “Empire”), yells. When she introduces her mother to her older boyfriend, Cross, he and Peggy argue about Shanté (newcomer Chanté Adams) as if she’s not even there. “Do you know how old she is? She’s 16,” says Peggy. “Do you want your daughter to be happy or something or you want her to be miserable, just like you?” Cross (Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”) replies. No one asks for Shanté’s opinion.
“Roxanne Roxanne” follows Shanté in the days before she was a hip hop legend, as she learns to speak — and sing and rap — for herself. The moment of truth comes when Shanté is stood up by her performance partner at a rap battle. Instead of forfeiting, she rises to the occasion. “Let’s do this,” she says into the mic.
The real-life Roxanne Shanté is known for songs such as “Roxanne’s Revenge” and albums “Bad Sister” and “The Bitch Is Back.”
Written and directed by Michael J. Larnell (“Cronies”), “Roxanne Roxanne” debuted at Sundance 2017. Adams won the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance. The film hits Netflix March 23.
