When I first picked up Shakespeare, I couldn't stand it. The language was so foreign to me, and I just didn't get it at all. But then I saw Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet, and suddenly it all made sense. By putting the play in a modern context that I understood, Baz Luhrman gave me a gift. That's when I realized I wanted to give that same gift to a black audience. My theater teacher once told me that Shakespeare was the first rapper, and since I'm a rapper, I should appreciate his work. That unlocked everything for me, and I went on to study, perform, and love all of Shakespeare’s work for the next two decades.
"Macbeth in Compton" is a bold and innovative adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tale, set in the vibrant and gritty backdrop of Compton in the mid-90s. As an actor, rapper, and lover of Shakespeare who has experienced a personal transformation through the bard's works, I am deeply passionate about bringing this project to life. Drawing from my own background and experiences, I aim to engage and resonate with young urban audiences by reimagining Shakespearean themes in a contemporary and relatable context.
Macbeth in Compton is just the beginning. With each season of this anthology series focusing on a different Shakespearean play, I envision "Macbeth in Compton" as a dynamic platform for sparking interest in classical literature among today's youth. By infusing elements of rap music and urban culture into the narrative, I aim to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, making Shakespeare's timeless themes accessible and relevant to a new generation of viewers.
I am excited about the possibility of collaborating with you to bring "Macbeth in Compton" to a global audience and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this project further. Thank you for considering my submission, and I look forward to the possibility of working together to change the world through storytelling.
Macbeth in Compton
Macbeth in Compton
Introduction
Introduction
This innovative adaptation not only preserves Shakespeare's poetic language but also infuses it with the energy and cultural relevance of gangster rap, creating a unique narrative that resonates deeply with contemporary viewers. Through its gritty urban setting and the use of rap to convey complex emotions and plot points, "Macbeth in Compton" offers a fresh, compelling take on a classic tale, bridging the gap between Elizabethan drama and modern urban life.
The Setting
In Macbeth in Compton, the setting of 1990s Compton is a character in itself, pulsating with the raw energy and palpable tension of the era. The city, infamous for its gang violence and the birthplace of gangsta rap, is depicted with a gritty realism that immerses viewers in its chaotic streets and vibrant culture. The backdrop of Compton's urban decay, marked by graffiti-covered walls, dimly lit alleys, and the omnipresent threat of drive-by shootings, creates a foreboding atmosphere that mirrors the dark ambition and moral corruption of Shakespeare's tragedy.
Amidst this turmoil, the recording studios and street corners become modern-day castles and battlefields, where power struggles play out to the beats of hip-hop and the echoes of gunfire. The adaptation captures the stark contrasts of the time: the rise of rap superstars juxtaposed with the harsh realities of poverty and crime, and the relentless pursuit of success shadowed by the ever-present specter of violence. This evocative setting not only grounds the narrative in a specific historical moment but also amplifies the timeless themes of ambition, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power, making Macbeth in Compton a poignant and resonant reimagining of Shakespeare's classic.
The Music
The music in "Macbeth in Compton" transforms Shakespeare's emotional depth into a powerful, contemporary format. By blending the Bard's poetic language with hip-hop's raw energy and lyrical complexity, the adaptation makes the timeless themes of ambition, betrayal, and power struggles viscerally relatable to young audiences, allowing them to connect with the characters' inner turmoil and motivations on a deeply personal level.
Car Freestyle
Mac and Banq freestyle in their car after a battle, giving insight into their relationship with icons like Pac and Dr. Dre. This scene sets up their destined meeting with the crackheads at a liquor store.
Ambitions of an Enemy
Mac's new video, seemingly a typical ambitious rap, foreshadows Duncan's fate. The song embodies Mac's drive and justifies his decision to kill Duncan.
They Call Me Lady M
Lady M's introduction reveals her past as a promising rapper who gave up her career for Mac. Her ambition resurfaces with the prophecy, and she plots to manipulate Mac into killing Duncan.
Something don’t seem right
Banq's solo song expresses his suspicions of Mac's foul play and his worry for his son, Young Fly. He explains Mac's rise to power after Duncan's death and his children's flight.
Mad Rapper: Mac
Anthony Hemingway (Director)
Anthony Hemingway (Director)
Characters
Macbeth (Mac)
(Page Kennedy)
Macbeth, or Mac, is an ambitious rapper from Compton whose rise to power is foretold by three crackheads. His journey from a talented musician to a ruthless leader of a record label is marked by paranoia, violence, and an insatiable thirst for power.
Lady Macbeth (Lady M)
(Taylour Paige)(Prototype)
Lady Macbeth, or LadyM, is Mac's fiercely ambitious wife who pushes him towards murder to fulfill their dreams of power. Her initial strength and resolve eventually give way to guilt and madness, leading to her tragic downfall.
Banquo (Banq)
(Allen Maldonado)
Banquo, or Banq, is Mac's loyal friend and fellow rapper who becomes a threat to Mac's ambition due to the prophecy that his descendants will inherit Mac's power. His integrity and suspicion ultimately lead to his murder, but his legacy endures through his son, Fleance.
King Duncan (Dunc)
(Snoop Dogg)(Prototype)
King Duncan, or Dunc, is the benevolent and trusting head of the record label Skid Row Records. He sees potential in Mac and Banq. His favoritism towards Mac ignites the latter's ambition, leading to his untimely death at Mac's hands.
Detective Hurley
Hurley is a detective that has been after Dunc for many years. He knows Dunc has gained ownership over this empire by supplying a steady flow of drugs through the streets of Compton. Hurley is motivated to stop him at all costs after his daughter was killed in a drive-by shooting, a victim of this terrible war
Detective Robbins
(Sterling K Brown) Prototype
Detective Robbins presents himself as Hurley's faithful partner - a man of stout faith in God. In reality he is a stone cold killer that works for Skid Row records. He will end up killing his partner when it comes time.
Mal
(Siya)
Mal is Duncan's daughter and the rightful heir to the record label. After her father's murder, she flees to avoid being the next target, later returning to reclaim her position and restore order.
Macduff (aka. Duff)
(Amin Joseph)
Duff is Dunc’s right-hand man, a dependable and strong enforcer within the Skid Row crew. He is fiercely loyal to Dunc and operates with a strict moral code, His quest for justice culminates in a final showdown with Mac, avenging the murder of his family.
The Three Crackheads
The three witches, reimagined as junkies, are the harbingers of Mac's fate. Their eerie prophecies set the tragic events in motion, manipulating Mac's ambition and leading him down a path of destruction.
Fleance (aka Young Fly)
Fleance is Banquo's young son who narrowly escapes an assassination attempt ordered by Mac. His survival hints at a future where he may fulfill the prophecy and inherit his father's legacy.
Ross
(Casey Zeman)
Ross is a sharp-eyed, heavy-hitting lawyer and fixer for Dunc and Skid Row Records. He is highly intelligent and possesses a keen sense of the law, which he uses to keep Dunc out of trouble. Ross is fiercely loyal to Dunc and operates with a level of professionalism that makes him both feared and respected.
Lennox
(Wayne Brady)
Lennox is Skid Row Records' main producer, the creative force behind the label's signature sound. His loyalty to Dunc and meticulous work in the studio make him a crucial player in Skid Row's success, especially as tensions rise within the crew and against their East Coast rivals. Lennox's beats are the backbone of the label's dominance, reflecting his critical role in the power struggles that unfold.
Donnie
Donnie is Dunc’s quiet, observant son who stays in the background while loyally supporting his family. Unlike his sister Mal, he’s less involved in Skid Row Records' operations but becomes increasingly significant as family tensions and power struggles escalate.
Seymour
Seymour is an aspiring rapper and member of the Skid Row crew who betrays Dunc by becoming a snitch. His betrayal and subsequent punishment by Malcolm underscore the themes of loyalty and retribution in the story. Seymour’s death serves as a warning to others within the crew and reinforces the brutal code of the streets.
Terry Crews
The Murderers
The murderers are hired by Mac to eliminate his perceived threats, including Banquo and Macduff's family. Their brutal actions underscore the lengths to which Mac will go to secure his power.
Episode 1
“The Prophecy”
This first episode of Macbeth in Compton masterfully sets the stage for a modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic, blending the raw energy of 1990s Compton with the timeless themes of ambition, power, and betrayal. The adaptation's unique elements, from the urban setting to the incorporation of hip-hop culture, breathe new life into the story, making it both familiar and refreshingly original.
Act 1
Shadows of Chaos
Act 2
The Prophecy Unfolds
Summary:
Mac and Banquo encounter the three crackheads who predict Mac's rise to power. The prophecy begins to unfold when Ross and Angus announce Mac's new record deal, replacing Seymour.
Act 3
A Snitches End
Summary:
Detective Hurley, celebrating his daughter's birthday alone, vows justice. Meanwhile, Seymour is kidnapped and brutally killed by Malcolm for his betrayal, ending the snitch’s life.
Act 4
Duncan’s Rise & Mac’s Favor
Summary:
A flashback reveals Duncan’s rise and Mac’s loyalty solidified through a drive-by hit that accidentally kills Hurley’s daughter. In the present, Duncan promotes Mac but names Malcolm as his successor. Mac, frustrated, sends a secret note while Robbins brings a new lead.
Act 5
The Lady’s Resolve
Summary:
Lady Macbeth (LadyM) cares for an abused friend and receives Mac’s prophetic note. Ambitious and resolute, she decides Duncan must die to secure Mac’s power, setting the stage for their dark plan.
