Rapman's Rise in Film and Television
From guerrilla-style YouTube productions to global Netflix hits, Rapman has carved a unique path in the entertainment industry. By blending the raw energy of rap music with gritty, realistic storytelling, he has become a pivotal figure in modern British urban cinema and television.
Key Facts
- Shiro's Story amassed over 33 million views on Link Up TV.
- Blue Story became the highest-grossing British urban film of all time, earning £4.7 million.
- Supacell reached number one on Netflix's global Top 10 with over 18 million viewers in its initial weeks.
- Rapman's success led to partnerships with Island Records and Jay-Z's Roc Nation.
The Breakthrough: Shiro's Story
In 2018, Rapman wrote, directed, and produced Shiro's Story, a three-part musical crime drama released on YouTube. The plot follows a young Black man from London who is drawn into a violent criminal lifestyle after discovering a shocking truth: his girlfriend's daughter is actually the child of his best friend. The narrative was inspired by a true account Rapman heard from acquaintances in Lewisham.
Produced on a modest budget of £3,000 using a guerrilla-style filming approach (shooting on location without traditional permits or large crews), the series featured a mix of actors and prominent rappers, including Joivan Wade, Percelle Ascott, Rita Bernard-Shaw, Konan, Deno, Ashley Walters, Headie One, Not3s, and Cadet. The series was a massive digital success, garnering over 33 million views on Link Up TV, and Part 2 earned the GRM Daily Video of the Year award in 2018.
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Transition to Cinema: Blue Story
Following the digital success of his early work, Rapman made his feature film debut in 2019 with Blue Story. This film was an adaptation of his YouTube series of the same name and utilized rap as the primary medium for storytelling. The cast included Stephen Odubola, Micheal Ward, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Khali Best, Karla-Simone Spence, Richie Campbell, Jo Martin, and Junior Afolabi Salokun.
The film's release was marked by controversy when the Vue Cinemas chain cancelled all screenings following a machete incident in Birmingham. Despite this, Blue Story was a critical and commercial triumph. With a budget of £1.4 million, it grossed £4.7 million, surpassing the film Brotherhood to become the highest-grossing British urban film ever made.
The production received significant industry recognition. Micheal Ward won the BAFTA Rising Star award at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards, and the film was short-listed for the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Additionally, it won Best Film and Best Film Actor (Ward) at the 2020 NME Awards.
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Expanding Horizons: From American Son to Supacell
Rapman's trajectory continued toward major studio projects. In February 2020, it was announced that he would direct American Son for Paramount Pictures, a remake of the 2009 French prison drama A Prophet starring Russell Crowe and Stephan James. However, the project was eventually cancelled due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In November 2021, Netflix commissioned Supacell, a six-part superhero series created, written, and directed by Rapman. The show centers on a group of ordinary Black-British citizens—including a nurse, a delivery driver, a gang leader, a drug dealer, and a struggling father—who suddenly develop superpowers. Released on June 27, 2024, the series was praised for its realistic depiction of Black people in Britain and for bringing attention to sickle cell disease.
Supacell became a global phenomenon, hitting number one on Netflix's global Top 10 and attracting more than 18 million viewers in its first few weeks. Due to this success, the series was renewed for a second season in August 2024.
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Project Summary
| Project | Year | Format | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shiro's Story | 2018 | YouTube Series | 33M+ views; GRM Daily Video of the Year |
| Blue Story | 2019 | Feature Film | Highest grossing British urban film (£4.7M) |
| American Son | 2020 | Feature Film | Cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| Supacell | 2024 | Netflix Series | Global Top 10; 18M+ initial viewers |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of Shiro's Story?
It is a musical crime drama about a young Black man from London who enters a life of crime after discovering that his girlfriend's daughter is actually the child of his best friend.
How did Blue Story perform at the box office?
Blue Story grossed £4.7 million on a budget of £1.4 million, making it the highest-grossing British urban film of all time.
Why was the film American Son cancelled?
The project was put on halt and eventually cancelled due to the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the film and television industry.
What is Supacell about?
Supacell is a Netflix series about a group of ordinary Black-British people who unexpectedly develop superpowers, while also raising awareness about sickle cell disease.
Which awards did Blue Story win?
The film won Best Film and Best Film Actor (for Micheal Ward) at the 2020 NME Awards, and Micheal Ward won the BAFTA Rising Star award.