{
  "id": 16216934,
  "title": "Kid Cudi to Write, Direct, and Star as Basquiat in New Biopic",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/kid-cudi-to-write-direct-and-star-as-basquiat-in-new-biopic",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T19:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hyperallergic",
    "slug": "hyperallergic",
    "url": "https://hyperallergic.com/kid-cudi-to-write-direct-and-star-as-basquiat-in-new-biopic/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rapper Kid Cudi has announced his involvement in several aspects of a new biopic titled JEAN, which will explore the life of late contemporary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film, set to begin production in the following year, will be written, directed, and starring Kid Cudi himself. Cudi described the project as a \"love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city,\" and expressed his deep admiration for Basquiat, stating that the artist has long been an inspiration to his own career. He expressed immense pride and excitement in being able to tell Basquiat's story in a fresh and unique way. Cudi detailed the intensive research he undertook, including reading books and engaging in conversations with those who knew the artist. This announcement follows Cudi's recent ventures into visual art under the pseudonym Scotty Ramon, which he showcased at Art Cologne 2025 and his first solo exhibition, Echoes of the Past, in Paris.",
  "summary": "The rapper called his forthcoming film JEAN a “love letter” to the late artist and 80s New York in his announcement on October 21.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kid Cudi to write, direct, and star in biopic JEAN.",
    "Film explores life of late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.",
    "Cudi expressed pride in telling Basquiat's story uniquely."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}