Snoop Dogg Biopic Cast: Cynthia Erivo Joins as Afeni Shakur

Universal Pictures confirmed on Tuesday that Cynthia Erivo will star in the upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic. The actor, who holds Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards and has received three Oscar nominations, will portray Afeni Shakur. Shakur was a former Black Panther activist and the subject of Tupac’s top-10 hit song “Dear Mama.”

Jonathan Daviss will play the lead role of Calvin Broadus Jr., known professionally as Snoop Dogg. Daviss gained recognition for his role as Pope Heyward in the Netflix series Outer Banks. The cast also includes Myles Bullock Be, Lauren London, Camron Jones, Algee Smith, Tre Hale, Laya DeLeon Hayes, Olly Sholotan, Corey Champagne, Jonica Booth, and SwayvoTwain.

Craig Brewer, who directed Coming 2 America, helms the project. He revised the script originally written by Joe Robert Cole. The film chronicles the musician’s journey to fame. Snoop Dogg serves as a producer and his catalog of music will be incorporated into the soundtrack.

Universal has a track record with music biopics. The studio released Straight Outta Compton in 2015, which detailed the rise of the rap group N.W.A. It also distributed 8 Mile in 2002, starring Eminem. That film won the Academy Award for best original song for “Lose Yourself.”

Snoop is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 6, 2027. No further details regarding the filming schedule or specific release locations have been announced.