Mos Def & Rihanna Onboard for Iceberg Slim Project

via SOHH

Mos Def, Rihanna, Macy Gray, Anthony Anderson and others have come together to star in the upcoming film adaption of late writer Iceberg Slim‘s classic, Mama Black Widow.

Set in the 1930s, the plot revolves around an African-American family’s migration from the racially tense state of Mississippi to the ghetto-themed underworld of Chicago, Illinois. Focused on lead actor Brian J White‘s character, “Otis Tilson,” the story emphasizes his difficulties in trying to keep his family together as they encounter alcoholism, prostitution, sexual deviation and racial injustice.

Directed by Darren Grant, the film will also star actresses Kerry Washington and Angela Bassett.

Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T will also be paying homage to the author by producing a documentary on Slim’s rise from pimp to established novelist.

“Iceberg Slim has been one of the most influential people in black culture,” Ice-T previously told New York Post. ” Few people know the story behind the man and it’s time that story is told.”

No release dates have been announced on either production as of yet. In related news, Uproar Entertainment will be re-releasing the Slim album Reflections originally produced in 1976 by David Drozen. The disc offers listeners a poignant and memorable look at Slim’s true life experiences.

Reflections will hit stores on Tuesday, October 28.

Often quoted and referenced by a range of hip-hop artists including Ice Cube and Jay-Z, among countless others Slim published 8 known novels before passing away in April 1992.