Cynthia Erivo is entering the story of one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, as the actress has been cast as the late Afeni Shakur in the upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic. The film is set to explore Snoop’s time at Death Row Records, and the casting also brings Tupac Shakur’s mother into a story that is closely tied to the rapper’s legacy.

Universal Pictures confirmed Erivo on Wednesday, November 4. She’ll play Afeni, Tupac Shakur’s late activist mother. Her casting adds another big name to an ensemble led by Jonathan Daviss, who was on “Outer Banks” and will play Snoop Dogg.

Jones will also play Tupac, while Camron London will play Snoop’s mother, Beverly Tate. Together, they form a group of central figures whose lives and relationships drive the story of Snoop’s career and his connection to Death Row Records.

The project is called “Snoop” and is from Craig Brewer, who worked on “Hustle & Flow.” Southern California is producing it, and Snoop Dogg is producing it. His involvement gives the project a direct line to the artist whose life and career are being brought to the screen.

Erivo’s casting will likely garner attention as well, given the conversation about her previous portrayal of another prominent Black American historical figure. The British actress has been criticized for playing Harriet Tubman, and her new role as Afeni Shakur has raised a few eyebrows for similar reasons. We don’t know the specifics or scale of the latest criticism, but the response places her casting in an ongoing conversation about depicting important Black American figures.

Afeni Shakur’s presence is especially significant to the film’s subject matter in terms of her connection to Tupac. Snoop’s rise through Death Row Records inevitably brings to mind the late rapper, and the decision to include his mother widens the film’s scope beyond the artists themselves. Erivo is set to star as a woman whose role in Tupac’s life and story is central to the family history being depicted.

Meanwhile, Daviss is cast as Snoop, with Jones playing Tupac. London’s turn as Beverly Tate adds another family member to the cast, affording the film a chance to feature the people closest to Snoop as it charts his ascent.

“Snoop” is moving along in Southern California, with a cast that combines actors playing several familiar names from hip-hop history. Erivo’s casting as Afeni is one of the latest major moves as the project moves forward under Brewer’s direction and Snoop’s producing involvement.

More details on the release date and the film’s full storyline are yet to be released. The casting confirms that Afeni Shakur will have a role in the upcoming biopic, with Erivo playing the role.

Fat Joe is returning to NPR’s “Tiny Desk” for another performance, giving fans a new chance to hear the Bronx rapper run through his catalog in the intimate concert setting. He’s due back Thursday, November 5, five years after first appearing on the hit performance series.

The upcoming concert was announced Wednesday, reigniting interest in what Joe might bring to the desk this time. His 2021 debut featured such well-known songs as “Lean Back” and “All the Way Up,” but the setlist for the new performance has not been revealed. “That leaves fans wondering which songs will be played, and whether or not he’ll have any special guests.”

NFR Podcast announced Joe’s return on social media, helping spread the word. The premiere date is now known, but details about the performance are still few. No one has confirmed a full setlist or possible guest appearances, so listeners will have to wait until the concert to see how the rapper approaches the opportunity.

There is a wealth of music for Joe to draw from, including material from his latest album, Organized Rhyme, which was released in August. The project gives him a recent body of work that could potentially enter the performance, but there’s no indication yet that songs from the album will be included. His vast catalog also allows for a set that could revisit familiar favorites from throughout his career.

The Tiny Desk has a different feel from a traditional concert stage; for a rapper whose catalog includes some major crowd-pleasers, the stripped-down setting allows for a more intimate approach to the music. Joe’s last outing showed that he was willing to bring his records into that space, and his return has people wondering how he will shape the next performance.

The five-year gap between appearances also adds to the sense of occasion. His first visit is still linked to performances of “Lean Back” and “All the Way Up,” two tracks that helped define the earlier set. It’s not yet clear if he will repeat either track this time, as the organizers have not disclosed the songs or the structure of the performance.

The announcement, however, has not been hampered by a lack of detail. With a new album due out in August and years of music behind him, Joe has several paths he can take. Still, speculation about the setlist and possible collaborators remains just that until the performance is made available.

The only confirmed news is that Fat Joe is back on “Tiny Desk” Thursday, November 5, for now. As for the rapper’s second appearance, fans will have to tune in to see whether he leans on his best-known hits, highlights, or brings a mix of both.