Snoop Dogg lands 'life changing' lead in prison drama God of the Rodeo

The legendary rapper and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg has announced a "life changing" new chapter in his film career with a leading role in the upcoming drama, "God of the Rodeo".

The fifty-four-year-old icon will not only star in the feature but will also serve as a producer alongside his Death Row Pictures partner, Sara Ramaker.

Directed and written by Rosalind Ross, the project is a high-profile collaboration with Hollywood titan Ridley Scott and Giannina Scott under their Scott Free Productions banner.

Based on Daniel Bergner's investigative reporting, the film is set in 1967 within the walls of Louisiana's notorious Angola Prison, often cited as the deadliest correctional facility in the American South.

Snoop Dogg portrays Buckkey, a hardened inmate serving a life sentence who finds a flicker of hope through the prison’s inaugural inmate rodeo.

However, the narrative takes a dark turn as the inmates realise the event is a "gladiatorial showcase" designed to satisfy public bloodlust and the warden's delusions of grandeur.

Snoop described the project as having "heart and grit," noting that his record label will also curate the film’s soulful soundtrack.

Director Rosalind Ross praised the "swagger and eccentricity" that the artist brings to the production, calling it a completely transformative role.

Snoop Dogg expressed his immense pride in the partnership, stating: "Linking up with Scott Free Productions... is an honour."

The film aims to shed light on a harrowing chapter of American penal history while showcasing the rap mogul's range as a dramatic actor.

Production is scheduled to begin later this year in New Orleans, with a tentative release date set for the autumn of 2027.