Gravy to play Biggie in ‘Notorious’

Dennis Winn/Columnist
Published: March 12, 2008

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

—Dale Carnegie

WE'LL ALWAYS LOVE BIG POPPA

After a long tedious journey of auditions for someone to portray the late great Notorious B.I.G., producers of the upcoming film "Notorious" have found their man. The Brooklyn emcee senselessly shot and killed in 1997 will be portrayed by a lesser-known Brooklynite named Jamal Woolard aka Gravy.

The mission to find someone capable of bringing B.I.G.'s extraordinary personality to life took nearly two years. Numerous actors and recording artists are said to have been interested in the role. Beanie Sigel, Guerilla Black, and Sean Kingston were all rumored as possible selections for the job. Yet for the moment, it seems Gravy is the man that will get a crack at playing the legend.

Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, released the following statement last week: "Finding B.I.G. was a task in itself, and I'm honored that so many young men came out to audition for the role. However, it was Jamal's charming personality, warm spirit, wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile that won my heart. He is a talented and charismatic actor, and I am excited that he will bring [B.I.G.'s] character to the big screen."

Reports indicate Derek Luke will play Diddy, Angela Bassett will play Voletta Wallace, and Anthony Mackie will play the late Tupac Shakur.

Successfully pulling off such a real life drama on film will be a real challenge. Hopefully the cast and crew of "Notorious" is capable of representing B.I.G. as the young man, father, son and artist that he was, and not just another media-portrayed "gangster" rapper.

"Notorious" is scheduled to hit theatres early next year.

SCOTT LA KWELI

In addition to Gravy's acting gig, Talib Kweli recently told Sohh.com that he would be portraying the late hip-hop pioneer Scott La Rock in an upcoming Juice Crew film titled "The Vapors." The Juice Crew is a legendary hip-hop crew from the 1980s. Kweli didn't elaborate on this project, but this, too, will be another hip-hop flick worth your attention.

Kweli did give his thought on the NBA's New Jersey Nets supposed move to his native Brooklyn—a move that will drop a professional arena right into the heart of the borough. "…I do know there's some issues in the community with people who have homes and are from that community, so I know it's not all sweet and rosy. I know people have issues with it and I'm not exactly sure of the finer points of the conflict to give it my blessing or to denounce it," he said.

Oh, and as for his feelings on Gravy playing the role of B.I.G., Kweli said, "They cast Gravy to play Biggie? I don't know about that, but I think it's way more interesting that they cast me to pay Scott La Rock in 'The Vapors' movie, so watch for that. Good for Gravy though, those dudes show me a lot of love."

No release date as of yet for "The Vapors."

REMY GOES TO TRIAL

As Fat Joe's latest album, "Elephant in the Room," hit stores this week, his former protégé, Remy Ma, was in a New York courthouse standing trial for a first-degree assault charge.

Remy is accused of shooting her longtime friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph twice in the stomach following an altercation between the two over $2,000.

Apparently, the two began to quarrel when Remy discovered she was missing money while leaving a Manhattan nightclub this past summer. Fortunately, Barnes-Joseph survived her injuries.

Until the beginning of the trial, Remy maintained that she did not shoot her friend. This week, Remy's lawyer, Ivan Fisher, said the shooting was a "tragic accident," claiming the gun accidentally fired when the two were struggling over the weapon, Reuters reported.

Accident!?! An accident is mistaking someone's foot for the floor, not seeing the car in the other lane before merging (sometimes) or throwing your keys in the garbage with your trash. Shooting someone TWICE in the stomach does not qualify as an accident.

As if her explanation of events was not enough to make you shake your head, the hip-hop semi-star made a point to pose and talk to all four or five reporters as she left the courthouse. Instead of avoiding cameras and scurrying passed reporters like stars do, Remy posed and even took a picture with one of the reporters. Who takes a picture with the reporter???

She then bought a hot dog at a nearby stand and foolishly seemed to believe that the moment as actually good press for her.

Remy's circus show continues throughout the week, so stay tuned.

TRIVIA VERSE

"I drink a - Boost for breakfast, an Ensure for dizzert

Somebody ordered pancakes, I just sip the sizzur

That right there could drive a sane man be-serk

Not to worry Mr. H-to-the-Izzo's back to wi-zzerk

How do you console my mom or give her light support

Telling her her son's on life support"

Whose Verse is it?

Alright, you know the drill. Be the fifth person to e-mail me the author of the above verse and receive two free AMC theatre movie tickets. Be sure to give the title of the song as well. Until next week…

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-400-8301 or .