Anthony Anderson, Uzo Aduba, Dave East, & Dreezy Star In Netflix's "Beats"

BY Erika Marie 4.5K Views
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Anthony Anderson
The hip hop film premieres June 19.

Black-ish star Anthony Anderson is featured in a star-studded cast for Netflix's forthcoming Chicago-based film Beats. The movie is directed by Chris Robinson, the filmmaker behind ATL and The New Edition Story. Acting alongside Anderson is Orange is the New Black star Uzo Aduba, The Red Line’s Emayatzy Corinealdi, and rappers Dave East, Dreezy, and Young Chop. Also in the film is rising star and 17-year-old Chicago native Khalil Everage.

The musical drama is described as giving tribute to the Windy City's hip hop scene as the story follows Anderson's character, a high school security guard who is also former music manager that has fallen from grace. Everage portrays an agoraphobic teen, or a person who avoids public spaces or places that they believe brings on anxiety or unsafe conditions, who just happens to also be a hip hop prodigy. 

Anderson has maintained longevity as a working actor in the entertainment industry while others have struggled. In a recent interview with Good Morning America, the actor shared the advice his mother gave him that's helped him sustain his career. "Never compromise who I am," Anderson said. "I'm in the business of people telling me no. Don't let the no's discourage me because eventually, somebody will say yes."

Beats premieres on Netflix on Jun 19. Check out the trailer below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.