Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-27 15:48:39
Snoop Dogg’s latest film, “The Underdoggs,” delves into the theme of building a resilient community that transforms into a close-knit family. The rapper, who serves as a producer and also plays a lead role in the movie, emphasized the diverse personalities and unique stories that each character brings to the film. Set to be released on Prime Video, the narrative explores the world of youth football, a subject with which Snoop Dogg has a personal connection.
The inspiration for the film comes from Snoop Dogg’s real-life involvement with the Snoop Youth Football League, an organization he established in Southern California over a decade ago. Notably, the league has produced several players who went on to join the NFL, including C.J. Stroud, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Daiyan Henley.
In “The Underdoggs,” Snoop Dogg takes on the role of an NFL star wide receiver named Jaycen, who is facing expulsion from the league due to poor sportsmanship. Ordered to perform community service in his hometown, Jaycen reluctantly mentors a struggling youth football team for self-serving reasons.
The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, Andrew Schulz, Kal Penn, Kandi Burruss, and George Lopez. Drawing from his real-life coaching experiences, Snoop Dogg expressed how closely the film mirrors the kids he coached in the Snoop Youth Football League.
One of the central themes of the movie revolves around the concept of family. Sumpter, who portrays Cherise, the former girlfriend of Snoop Dogg’s character, notes that the storyline encapsulates elements of family, with Snoop’s character returning to his first love, football, and reconnecting with his community and high school sweetheart.
In discussing his portrayal, Snoop Dogg shared his desire to have a group of kids whose demeanor matched his character’s begrudging attitude. He explained incorporating a different coaching approach for his character, Jaycen, making him more verbal and aggressive towards the kids to create a distinct separation from Snoop Dogg himself.
The film is a reflection of Snoop Dogg’s personal experiences, and it highlights the importance of community and family. With its release on Prime Video, “The Underdoggs” is set to resonate with audiences through its poignant and relatable storytelling.
