2 Chainz is making a foray into cinema with the announcement of his short film “Red Clay,” which he co-wrote with actor Omar Epps.
The film, announced exclusively on Variety, is slated to premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival on May 3. Christopher Nolan Jones, who won best short film and the Georgia Short Award at the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival for “Glitter Ain’t Gold,” directed the short.
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“I tell stories through my music, always hoping people feel empowered to overcome anything,” says 2 Chainz, who’s best known to the world as one of Atlanta’s key hip-hop figures. “‘Red Clay’ is an extension of that. Atlanta is full of resilience, and bringing Nook and Bub’s story to life—everyday folks fighting to survive—means everything to me. Creating this with Omar Epps was truly legendary.”
“Red Clay” tells the story of Nook (Christopher A’mmanuel), a teenager facing a challenging upbringing while dealing with his mother’s drug addiction. Along with his friend Bub, he dreams of a better life but finds himself stuck in the world he seeks to escape. The film, set in 2003, also stars Rutina Wesley and Jaylan Ragin.
“My inspiration to write this film came from the need to unpack brutal truths, and showcase the complexities of why black and brown communities normalize trauma,” says Epps. “It’s my hope to inspire conversations which motivate people to have more grace, and compassion towards one another.”
2 Chainz previously ventured into acting with a role on the TV series “BMF.” He also appeared in the 2022 film “The Enforcer.”
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