The self-proclaimed godfather of grime will be getting the big screen treatment, via a biopic from Pulse Films and BMG.
Adam Smith has been announced as the director, while executive producer duties will be helmed by Pulse Film’s Thomas Benski and Lucas Ochoawith, Wiley’s sister Janaya Cowie, Jamal Edwards, A-List Management’s John Woolf, BMG’s William Kennedy and Kathy Daum.
The dramatised biopic will trace the explosion of grime, from its subcultural roots to the mainstream, and cover Wiley’s musical trajectory. It’ll tell the story of his early days as a producer to his worldwide success as a pioneering artist.
Speaking to Variety, Wiley explained, “This is my life, my highs and lows, but it’s not really all about me. “When I make music, help the scene or even do something like this, it’s like I’m not alone any more. It’s for people who grew up like me. I’m doing it to help people who are lost like me.”
“Meeting Wiley and seeing what he and his friends were creating was a huge inspiration to me. Making a film about this incredible talent and his story 15 years later is very exciting,” Smith said.
CEO of Pulse Films Clifford said, “We’re honored to be working with [Wiley] on such an ambitious project and thrilled to be collaborating with Adam Smith, who is an incredible and innovative filmmaker. We’re also very excited to be working with Sabrina Mahfouz, who we think is one of the most exciting young writers around.”
Wiley released the album Godfather last year, and published his autobiography Eskiboy in November.
(via Variety)