The 1980s definitely thrust the rap game even further into the world-wide spotlight as a dominate force that would forever change the face of music. With artists like Public Enemy saying that “rap is black America’s CNN,” it is no wonder why hip-hop cemented itself as the foundation of an entire genre. Recently, there has been a barrage of biopics, taking Generation X and beyond down memory lane. Another tell-all story, Roxanne Roxanne, debuted at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017 in Park City, Utah. Co-starring in the film as Roxanne Shante’s sister is fifteen-year-old Eden Duncan-Smith, known for her role as Isabella in Annie and Alma in Meadowland.
Smith, a native of Brooklyn, NY is more than just an actress. She is also a well-trained dancer. Having studied at the Dance Theater of Harlem, the American Ballet Theater, and Purelements: Evolution in Dance, and having been mentored by choreographers Kenny Ortega, Zack Woodlee, and Aubrey Lynch, Smith unquestionably has proven that she is a well-rounded entertainer.
In addition to her on-screen appearances, Smith has made a solid name for herself on Broadway, appearing in two distinct award-winning productions: August Wilson’s Fences and the Lion King. Adding to her thespian nature, Smith is an avid activist who believes in universal equality, global peace, and respect for every breathing creature and is also fluent in American Sign Language, which she has studied since the age of 4.
As the godchild of R&B singer Lauren Hill and Rohan Marley, son of legendary singer Bob Marley, it is no wonder that Smith’s treasured pet is a lion-head rabbit named Bob Marley.
