The upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic has added a surprising connection to music history, with SwayvoTwain, the son of late R&B legends D’Angelo and Angie Stone, set to portray The Notorious B.I.G.
The casting announcement has added another major name from hip-hop history to a movie that already features actors portraying some of the biggest figures from the golden era of rap.
SwayvoTwain, whose real name is Michael D’Angelo Archer Jr., will play Christopher Wallace, better known around the world as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls. The casting was reported following Universal Pictures’ latest additions to the film.
The movie, currently titled Snoop, will tell the story of Snoop Dogg’s rise from Long Beach, California, to becoming one of the most influential figures in hip-hop and popular culture.
Jonathan Daviss, best known for his role in Outer Banks, will play Snoop Dogg. The film is being directed by Craig Brewer, while the screenplay is based on work by Joe Robert Cole, who co-wrote Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
D’Angelo’s Son Steps Into Biggie’s Shoes
SwayvoTwain’s casting is particularly interesting because of his family background.
He is the son of D’Angelo, one of the most respected figures in neo-soul and contemporary R&B, and Angie Stone, the acclaimed singer whose career stretched across R&B, soul and hip-hop.
Rather than simply bringing another actor into the production, the casting gives the film another direct connection to the musical world it is attempting to recreate.
SwayvoTwain will portray Biggie during a story largely centered on Snoop Dogg and the West Coast hip-hop movement.
Biggie was one of the defining artists of New York’s East Coast rap scene, while Snoop became one of the faces of the West Coast movement through his association with Dr. Dre and Death Row Records.
Despite the intense East Coast-West Coast rivalry that dominated hip-hop during the 1990s, Snoop Dogg and Biggie maintained a relationship built around mutual respect. That connection could become one of the more interesting elements of the movie.
A Star-Studded Hip-Hop Cast
SwayvoTwain is joining an increasingly recognizable cast.
Myles Bullock will portray Dr. Dre, the producer who played a major role in introducing Snoop Dogg to a wider audience.
Camron Jones has been cast as Tupac Shakur, another central figure in the Death Row era and one of Snoop’s close friends and collaborators.
Tre Hale will portray Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight, while Algee Smith will play Warren G.
Corey Champagne has been cast as Nate Dogg, Snoop’s longtime friend and fellow member of the Long Beach group 213.
The cast also includes Olly Sholotan as Kurupt and Jonica Booth as The Lady of Rage.
Laya DeLeon Hayes will portray Shante Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s wife, while Lauren London has been cast as Beverly Tate, Snoop’s mother.
The combination of these characters means the movie has the potential to explore much more than Snoop Dogg’s solo career. It can also revisit the relationships, friendships and rivalries that shaped West Coast hip-hop during one of its most important periods.
Jonathan Daviss Takes on Snoop Dogg
At the center of the story is Jonathan Daviss.
The actor will portray Snoop Dogg at different stages of his journey from Long Beach rapper to international superstar.
Daviss has previously explained that Snoop himself was heavily involved in the casting process. The actor reportedly spent time with Snoop during his auditions, giving him an opportunity to observe the rapper beyond his public image.
That involvement could be important for a movie attempting to tell the story of a living music icon.
Unlike many traditional music biopics, Snoop has access to the actual person whose life is being portrayed.
The production is being developed through Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures in partnership with NBCUniversal. It is expected to feature music from Snoop’s extensive catalog and will serve as the first cinematic project under the partnership between Death Row Pictures and NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios.
Why Biggie’s Role Matters
Biggie’s appearance in the movie could give audiences a glimpse into one of hip-hop’s most complicated periods.
The 1990s were defined by the rivalry between the East Coast and West Coast rap scenes. Artists associated with Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records became symbols of the cultural divide.
Snoop was closely connected to Death Row, while Biggie was one of the biggest stars associated with Bad Boy.
Yet their personal relationship was more complicated than the broader rivalry might suggest.
That contrast gives the filmmakers an opportunity to show a different side of the era—one where major artists could respect each other even while the music industry around them was increasingly divided.
Biggie died in 1997 at the age of 24, leaving behind a legacy that has continued to influence generations of rappers.
His appearance in the Snoop Dogg story therefore carries significance beyond a simple cameo.
When Will the Snoop Dogg Biopic Be Released?
The film is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 6, 2027.
That gives the production plenty of time to develop the performances, music and visual recreation of the era.
Craig Brewer’s involvement is also notable. The director is known for Hustle & Flow, a film deeply connected to hip-hop culture, making him a natural fit for a project centered on Snoop Dogg’s musical journey.
The movie is also significant for Snoop personally because he is involved as a producer.
Snoop’s Story Is Bigger Than Music
Snoop Dogg’s career has extended far beyond recording music.
From his breakthrough alongside Dr. Dre to his rise as a solo artist, his transformation into a global entertainment personality has made him one of the most recognizable figures in hip-hop.
His career has included music, television, film, business ventures and major appearances across popular culture.
That gives the filmmakers a wide story to work with.
However, the inclusion of figures such as Biggie, Tupac, Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, Nate Dogg and Warren G suggests that the movie will also revisit the musical environment that helped shape Snoop.
For hip-hop fans, that may ultimately become one of the biggest attractions.
Snoop Biopic Builds Anticipation
With SwayvoTwain now set to portray The Notorious B.I.G., the Snoop biopic has gained another major talking point.
The casting is particularly intriguing because SwayvoTwain comes from a musical family while stepping into the role of one of rap’s most influential figures.
Alongside Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Dogg, Camron Jones as Tupac and Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre, the film is assembling a cast that will bring an important chapter of hip-hop history to the big screen.
For fans of Snoop Dogg, Biggie, Tupac and the Death Row era, the movie could offer a fresh look at the people and relationships behind one of the most influential periods in music history.
With its 2027 theatrical release approaching, more casting announcements and production details are expected to emerge as the project moves forward.