In My Lifetime: Music Biopics

Will the Nina Simone biopic stack up?

Nina Joins the Block - The Internet tried it but it could not stop the Nina Simone biopic from seeing the light of day. After stills of Zoe Saldaña arrived, depicting the famed singer in what many called blackface, the Internet lost its collective mind.To add insult to injury, the star of the movie herself went out publicly to talk, not so glowingly, about the film's lack of focus.Here we are, almost three years later, and the movie Nina will be out for the world to see on April 22, but how will it stack up against all these other music biopics? Time will tell. – Jon Reyes & Michael Harris (Photo: Ealing Studios Entertainment, Ealing Studios, Londinium Films)

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Nina Joins the Block - The Internet tried it but it could not stop the Nina Simone biopic from seeing the light of day. After stills of Zoe Saldaña arrived, depicting the famed singer in what many called blackface, the Internet lost its collective mind.To add insult to injury, the star of the movie herself went out publicly to talk, not so glowingly, about the film's lack of focus.Here we are, almost three years later, and the movie Nina will be out for the world to see on April 22, but how will it stack up against all these other music biopics? Time will tell. – Jon Reyes & Michael Harris (Photo: Ealing Studios Entertainment, Ealing Studios, Londinium Films)

More Than a Woman  - Toni Braxton joined the ranks of musical divas who have had her story told on the small screen. The "Another Sad Love Song" singer teamed up with Lifetime to film her biography based on her memoir, Un-Break My Heart. Braxton also served as one of the executive producers, which detailed such things as her battle with lupus, her bankruptcy issues, divorce and her autistic son. (Photo: Todd Williamson/Getty Images)

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More Than a Woman  - Toni Braxton joined the ranks of musical divas who have had her story told on the small screen. The "Another Sad Love Song" singer teamed up with Lifetime to film her biography based on her memoir, Un-Break My Heart. Braxton also served as one of the executive producers, which detailed such things as her battle with lupus, her bankruptcy issues, divorce and her autistic son. (Photo: Todd Williamson/Getty Images)

Our Day Will Come  - The music industry lost a gem in 2011 with the passing of British soul singer Amy Winehouse, but fortunately her story hit the big screen in July, which helps her live on forever. AMY includes interviews with Mos Def, Salaam Remi, and her ex-boyfriend Blake Fielder as well as archive footage. The documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at this year's awards. (Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images) 

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Our Day Will Come  - The music industry lost a gem in 2011 with the passing of British soul singer Amy Winehouse, but fortunately her story hit the big screen in July, which helps her live on forever. AMY includes interviews with Mos Def, Salaam Remi, and her ex-boyfriend Blake Fielder as well as archive footage. The documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at this year's awards. (Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images) 

A Change Is Gonna Come - A film on the life of late soul singer Sam Cooke has been green-lit with producer Romeo Antonio. Cooke ran the '50s and '60s with chart-toppers like “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Cupid,” “You Send Me” and “Chain Gang” and was one of the first artists to own his own label after growing tired of being swindled by record companies.With Cooke’s family and friends on board as consultants for the authorized work, the movie will also take a look at his controversial murder at the age of 33. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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A Change Is Gonna Come - A film on the life of late soul singer Sam Cooke has been green-lit with producer Romeo Antonio. Cooke ran the '50s and '60s with chart-toppers like “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Cupid,” “You Send Me” and “Chain Gang” and was one of the first artists to own his own label after growing tired of being swindled by record companies.With Cooke’s family and friends on board as consultants for the authorized work, the movie will also take a look at his controversial murder at the age of 33. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

10 Things That Must Be Addressed in N.W.A. Movie - The casting for the starring roles in the upcoming N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton is now complete as Aldis Hodge has been cast to play MC Ren while Neil Brown Jr. will play DJ Yella. Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell were previously cast to play Dr. Dre and Eazy-E while Ice Cube's son O'Shea Jackson Jr. will play portray his pops. The film will be directed by F. Gary Gray and is scheduled to hit theatres on August 14, 2015.Now with many biopics, creative licensing is usually taken and many facts are purposely left out or the truth is sometimes glossed over. With the living members of the group serving as producers of the film, let's hope this doesn't happen. Still, there are a few topics that we think need to be properly addressed in the upcoming film. — Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photo:Todd MacMillan/Universal Pictures)

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Straight Outta Compton  - The boyz n da hood officially came to our theaters on Aug. 14, 2015. The trailer was unveiled during a Grammys commercial break in 2015, and for added activator, prior to the clip, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre are seen docu-style visiting their old stomping grounds of Compton while Game and Kendrick Lamar weigh in on the group's influence. How's that for Cube vision? The film went on to break box office records and caused some outrage when many feel it was overlooked for the 2016 Academy Awards, in which it received only one nomination – for Best Original Screenplay. Though it seems the critical and audience acclaim will be this film's standing legacy.(Photo: Todd MacMillan/Universal Pictures)

"Me Against the World" - Makaveli provided a lot of hope for those feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders as he painted vivid pictures to show people that they were not going through the storm of life alone. His own lines are haunting as he stresses his will to survive despite adversity. "I'm losing my homies in a hurry, they're relocating to the cemetery/Got me worried, stressing, my vision's blurried/The question is will I live? No one in the world loves me/I'm headed for danger, don't trust strangers."(Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

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Pac's Life - Tupac's biopic finally went into production in December of 2015. One of the film's producers, Randall Emmett, revealed that Pac's biopic will include his original songs. "Morgan Creek acquired all the music from the estate when they partnered with Tupac's mother... He really was, in my opinion, for sure, one of the greatest talents that ever lived in music and in hip hop.” Currently the film is being directed by Benny Boom after John Singleton said on Instagram that, "the people involved aren’t really respectful of the legacy of Tupac." (Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

Ron Galella/WireImage

Aaliyah: Princess of R&B - Aaliyah: Princess of R&B hit the small screen last November and starred Alexandra Shipp while Wendy Williams served as one of the executive producers. Watched by millions, the Lifetime biopic caught a lot of heat from disappointed family, friends and fans. (Photo: Lifetime)

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Aaliyah: Princess of R&B - Aaliyah: Princess of R&B hit the small screen last November and starred Alexandra Shipp while Wendy Williams served as one of the executive producers. Watched by millions, the Lifetime biopic caught a lot of heat from disappointed family, friends and fans. (Photo: Lifetime)

Spinning Gold - Word is Kelly Rowland is up for the part of Donna Summer in upcoming Spike Lee-directed movie, Spinning Gold. The flick is based on the life of Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart, played by Justin Timberlake. Summer, the Queen of Disco, is one of the world's best-selling artists with over 130 million records sold and Rowland, a Destiny's Child alum, definitely knows a little something about that kind of success. Thumbs up.(Photos from left: Kelly Rowland via Instagram, Keystone/Getty Images)

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Spinning Gold - Word is Kelly Rowland is up for the part of Donna Summer in upcoming Spike Lee-directed movie, Spinning Gold. The flick is based on the life of Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart, played by Justin Timberlake. Summer, the Queen of Disco, is one of the world's best-selling artists with over 130 million records sold and Rowland, a Destiny's Child alum, definitely knows a little something about that kind of success. Thumbs up.(Photos from left: Kelly Rowland via Instagram, Keystone/Getty Images)

Get on Up - The life story of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, hit theaters Aug. 1, 2014, with Chadwick Boseman cast in the starring role alongside Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and more. It opened in third place at the box office, grossing more than its $30 million budget. Say it loud, "Black and proud."(Photos from left: CBS /Landov, Universal Pictures)

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Get on Up - The life story of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, hit theaters Aug. 1, 2014, with Chadwick Boseman cast in the starring role alongside Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and more. It opened in third place at the box office, grossing more than its $30 million budget. Say it loud, "Black and proud."(Photos from left: CBS /Landov, Universal Pictures)

Purple Rain (1984) - Pop icon Prince made his film debut in Purple Rain portraying aspiring music star The Kid. Navigating his family (terrorized by an abusive, failed musician father) and a cut-throat Minneapolis music scene, Prince delivered a solid performance as an actor. The Oscar-winning soundtrack turned Prince into an international superstar.   (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

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Purple Rain - Prince stole hearts with this semi-autobiographical cult classic. The 1984 musical drama detailed the Purple One's come up on the Indianapolis music scene and features his protégés Morris Day and the Time and Apollonia 6. It's grossed over $80 million at the box office.(Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story - T-Boz, Chilli and Left-Eye's surviving the music industry tales were documented in this VH1 movie. Drew Sidora, KeKe Palmer and Lil' Mama received rave reviews as the dynamic trio and the premiere brought in a history-making 4.5 million-plus viewers.(Photos from left: VH1, Ron Galella/WireImage)

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Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story - T-Boz, Chilli and Left-Eye's surviving the music industry tales were documented in this VH1 movie. Drew Sidora, KeKe Palmer and Lil' Mama received rave reviews as the dynamic trio and the premiere brought in a history-making 4.5 million-plus viewers.(Photos from left: VH1, Ron Galella/WireImage)

Jimi Hendrix - Wood Harris played the famed guitarist on the small screen in 2000 in the film Hendrix. André 3000 will also portray Jimi in All Is by My Side, which focuses on his career while in London. Dre's version is not supported by Hendrix's estate, which wouldn't allow any of his music to be used, but with Three Stacks on board, it shouldn't be hard to pull out a bangin' soundtrack. It's slated for a September release.(Photos from left: Central Press/Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

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Jimi Hendrix - Wood Harris played the famed guitarist on the small screen in 2000 in the film Hendrix. André 3000 will also portray Jimi in All Is by My Side, which focuses on his career while in London. Dre's version is not supported by Hendrix's estate, which wouldn't allow any of his music to be used, but with Three Stacks on board, it shouldn't be hard to pull out a bangin' soundtrack. It's slated for a September release.(Photos from left: Central Press/Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com)

Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story - Think Like a Man actor Romany Malco put on the parachute pants and Cazal glasses for this 2001 made-for-TV flick. It follows the veteran rapper's career from a bat boy for the Oakland A's to headlining arenas across the country. It also covers his financial woes and his tenure rolling with Death Row Records. (Photos from left: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TechCrunch/AOL, VH1)

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Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story - Think Like a Man actor Romany Malco put on the parachute pants and Cazal glasses for this 2001 made-for-TV flick. It follows the veteran rapper's career from a bat boy for the Oakland A's to headlining arenas across the country. It also covers his financial woes and his tenure rolling with Death Row Records. (Photos from left: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TechCrunch/AOL, VH1)

The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) - Not all celebrity biopics need to be on the silver screen in order to garner massive attention, and this one proved just that. The film was broken into two halves and aired on ABC in the form of a miniseries. There was so much that needed to be told that producers decided that they needed more than the standard two hours, eventually upping the run-time to four hours. The all-star cast included Vanessa Williams, Holly Robinson Peete, Billy Dee Williams, Angela Bassett and Terrence Howard.(Photo: ABC)

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The Jacksons: An American Dream - This hit the tube in 1992 as a mini-series and has lived in syndication ever since. It tells the story of the Jacksons' rise from the streets of Gary, Ind., to Motown, based on matriarch Katherine Jackson's autobiography, My Family, and co-produced by Jermaine.(Photo: ABC)

Introducing Dorthy Dandrige - Halle Berry was superb in the 1999 HBO Film Introducing Dorthy Dandrige, about the life of the trailblazing singer and actress.    (Photo: HBO Films)

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Introducing Dorthy Dandrige - Halle Berry was superb in the 1999 HBO Film Introducing Dorthy Dandrige, about the life of the trailblazing singer and actress.    (Photo: HBO Films)

Cadillac Records, Wednesday at 9P/8C - Beyoncé's taking us back to a simpler time and the music in the film is too!Check out a few other musical flicks.(Photo: Sony Pictures)

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Cadillac Records  - Beyoncé plays soul music pioneer Etta James in this phenomenal 2008 flick, which chronicles the career of Blues legend Muddy Waters and Chess Records. (Photo: TriStar Pictures)

Miles Davis - Miles Davis(Photo: Landov)

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Miles Davis - Don Cheadle has been talking about this passion project for a while. His plan is to write, direct and star in Miles Ahead, a period piece focusing on the jazz legend's life in the '70s, when he returned to recording after fighting drug addiction. But he's not doing it all himself. Cheadle is working with jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Robert Glasper.(Photo: CBS/Landov)

Why Do Fools Fall in Love? - This movie depicts one of the more tragic outcomes for a musical group. Larenz Tate portrays Frankie Lymon after his stint as part of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.Tate's character soon gives in to the temptation of drugs, specifically heroin, and his wives are left fighting in a messy battle for his assets.(Photo: Warner Bros Pictures) 

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Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Actor Larenz Tate starred as troubled singer Frankie Lymon, who passed tragically in 1968 at 25. The movie title was adopted from Lymon's Top 10 hit of the same name.(Photo: Warner Bros.)

8 Mile, Thursday at 1:30P/12:30C - Eminem's saying: "Yes" to his dreams.(Photo: Universal Pictures) 

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8 Mile  - Eminem's 2002 Hollywood debut showed fans what life was like for a young rapper growing up in a Detroit trailer park (and what Mekhi Phifer looks like in dreadlocks). The movie grossed over $100 million at the box office and spawned the Academy Award-winning hit "Lose Yourself."(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Ray - Jamie Foxx stars in this critically acclaimed film, which explores the life and career of the musical genius Ray Charles. Foxx won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance.  (Photo: Universal Pictures)

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Ray  - Jamie Foxx won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2004 for this incredible Ray Charles biopic. The film chronicles Ray's life as he suffered from blindness and drug addiction while becoming one of the greatest artists of all time.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Photo: Universal Pictures

Notorious, Saturday at 7P/6C - We'll always love "Big Poppa."Catch a peek at other films that possess gangster swag like Biggie.Encore presentation Sunday at 3:30P/2:30C. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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Notorious - This 2009 story was an enjoyable trip down memory lane for rap lovers. In addiotion to telling the life story of Notorious B.I.G, the film also shows how Puffy launched Bad Boy Records.(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

The Temptations - The Temptations explores the story behind one of Motown's hottest acts, a group that shooped their way up the charts in the 1960s.Told through the eyes of the last surviving member, Otis Williams, we learn that it's important to share your history, good or bad.(Photo: De Passe Entertainment)

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The Temptations - This 1998 TV miniseries about the pioneering soul group received critical acclaim and was produced by founding member Otis Williams and former Motown Records executive Suzanne de Passe.(Photo: De Passe Entertainment)

Photo: De Passe Entertainment

Ol' Dirty Bastard - The Wu Tang rapper was one of the most controversial and tragic figures in hip hop, but for Maati Lowell, he's something else: hero. In 1998, ODB rescued the then 12 year-old after she was hit by a speeding car outside of his recording studio. He even went to the hospital hours later to make sure she was OK. Imagine Maati's surprise when she woke up from her ordeal to see that one of her favorite rappers had paid her a visit.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Ol' Dirty Bastard - According to Wu-Tang Clan super producer RZA, there's two biopics on the Ol' Dity one coming down the line, Dirty White Boy, which is more focused on his manager, and Dirt: One Word Could Change the World.(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Lady Sings the Blues - This seminal biopic about jazz legend Billie Holiday was nominated for five Oscars in 1973, including a Best Actress nod for Diana Ross. The film, based on Holiday's autobiography and named for one of her most popular songs, spawned a hugely successful soundtrack album as well.(Photo: Courtesy Motown Pictures)

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Lady Sings the Blues - The 1956 Billie Holiday autobiography was adapted into this movie released in 1972, 11 years after her passing. Motown legend Diana Ross plays the blues legend, who endured a hard life before succumbing to death at the age of 44.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

What's Love Got to Do With It?, Saturday at 3:30P/2:30C - Angela Bassett makes Tina Turner's pain her music. (Photo: Touchstone Pictures)

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What's Love Got to Do With It - Angela Basset nailed enigmatic soul singer Tina Turner in this 1993 biopic. It follows her journey through childhood and domestic abuse at the hands of her manager and husband, Ike, played by Laurence Fishburne.(Photo: Touchstone Pictures)

El Cantante  - J.Lo and Mark Anthony teamed up to tell the story of Latin singer Héctor Lavoe, whose promising career was cut short by AIDS in 1993 at the age of 46.(Photo: Picturehouse)

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El Cantante  - J.Lo and Mark Anthony teamed up to tell the story of Latin singer Héctor Lavoe, whose promising career was cut short by AIDS in 1993 at the age of 46.(Photo: Picturehouse)

Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005) - Following in his mentor Eminem's footsteps, 50 Cent released his own semi-autobiographical film highlighting the rise of Marcus, a rapper from the South Bronx who is left to die after being shot in front of his grandparent's house. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

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Get Rich or Die Tryin'  - 50 Cent flexed his acting muscles alongside the lovely Joy Bryant in this 2005 Hollywood hit loosely based on his life.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Raekwon - The bio of the Wu-Tang MC will be called C.R.E.A.M. and Cee Lo Green will reportedly play the Chef's father. Cool Kids rapper/producer Chuck Inglish is said to be in the running for the role of Rae.(Photo: Bob Berg/Getty Images)

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Raekwon - The bio of the Wu-Tang MC will be called C.R.E.A.M. and Cee Lo Green will reportedly play the Chef's father. Cool Kids rapper/producer Chuck Inglish is said to be in the running for the role of Rae.(Photo: Bob Berg/Getty Images)

Bob Marley - Grammy Award-winning Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley wrote politically charged songs that made him renown as the first third world pop star. As the primary musical voice of dissension in his hometown of Jamaica, Marley's music will remain on protestor's playlists. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Bob Marley - Many big names — from Jamie Foxx to Martin Scorsese and even Lauryn Hill as his wife Rita — have been tied to a biopic on the reggae legend. No official word yet, but if done right, this will be epic. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Marvin Gaye - The iconic crooner filed for bankruptcy in 1976 after a court ruled that the royalties from his upcoming album, Here, My Dear, were to be paid to his ex-wife for alimony. The LP hit stores in 1978.(Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)

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Marvin Gaye - A trailer for Sexual Healing, a movie about the Motown singer's life starring Law & Order star Jesse L. Martin, hit the Web in September 2013. There's still no release date, however, which makes us all wanna holler. (Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)