Vince Staples has already found immense success in music; now he’s looking to do the same with acting. The rapper has signed on for a new comedy series loosely based on the events of his life – simply titled The Vince Staples Show – that has Kenya Barris (Black-ish) at the helm. The project is a part of Barris’ multi-million dollar contract with Netflix.
The semi-autobiographical series will fictionalize Staples’ rags-to-riches story. It will be based in Long Beach, California where Staples and his family moved to in an effort to escape the crime-ridden neighborhood in Compton where he was born.
Little else is known about the show right now, but it’s been suggested that it could explore Staples’ past with street gang violence – something he has actively lent his voice against since becoming famous.
Staples said in a statement: “I am excited to partner with Netflix and Kenya Barris on The Vince Staples Show. This has been something I have been developing for some time, and I am happy it’s coming to fruition.” Netflix’s head of comedy Tracey Pakosta added:
“It’s our mission to work with the best artists in the world. Vince has already established himself as one of the most talented young musicians today and we’re really excited about how his sensibility — and sense of humor — will translate into a unique comedy series.”
The Vince Staples Show will be the actor’s first lead role, but he has had a chance to flex his acting muscles in smaller projects such as a brief role in 2015 coming-of-age dramedy Dope and appearing as himself on Issa Rae‘s series Insecure. He was also recently cast in The Wood, a romantic comedy based on the 1999 film of the same name.
But Staples couldn’t have asked for a better person to be at the helm of this series in Barris, who has proven to be a major figure in the TV world after creating the acclaimed Black-ish and its spin-offs Grown-ish and Mixed-ish. He also created and starred in Netflix mockumentary sitcom #BlackAF and is currently working on his feature directorial debut, You People.
With Barris in charge, Staples should be in good hands, but we’ll wait and see how he works on camera. That he’s telling a semi-autobiographical story that’s close to him should certainly help.
#Peace.Love.TheVinceStaplesShow
