Bee actress will portray hip-hop pioneer in new film
“Akeelah & The Bee” star Keke Palmer proved she’s got some spelling skills, and now she’ll rock the mic in the film Vapors. Palmer joins Evan Ross, rapper Nas and others in the forthcoming movie about a legendary New York hip hop posse, the Juice Crew. Palmer has signed on to play rapper Roxanne Shante, one of the first popular lady MCs, who paved the way for Queen Latifah, Da Brat, Lil Mama and others. “She was 14 when she recorded those songs,” Palmer tells Giant magazine. “She had it in her contract that the label would pay for her to finish high school and college. That’s inspiring.”

Spike Lee takes helm of “Passing Strange”

Director Spike Lee will shoot a floundering Broadway production for cable TV, in hopes of helping to increase interest in the play. Despite a recent Tony Award, Passing Strange has reportedly performed poorly at the box office since its opening last spring. The production focuses on a Black musician who goes to Europe in search of his identity. No word on whether Spike plans to point out that a Black musician may have chosen a different continent to find himself.

Rapper’s birthday celebration cut short by nightclub scrap.

Missy Elliott’s 37th birthday bash went bust this past weekend after a woman identified as the rapper’s makeup artist allegedly clashed with a waitress. Deborah Padilla was arrested at the NYC Marquee nightclub where Missy was celebrating when Padilla reportedly fought with a waitress at the spot. The unnamed server filed charges against the makeup artist, saying she’d been “hit above the eye.” No comment has been issued by reps of the nightclub.