No, not Inmate Inga, the first official wifey material all other wifey materials aspire to be even after all this time. If you’re digging this, hit up Gangstarr Girl for a fresh take on hip-hop, politics, fashion and other worldly and wordy things through the eyes of a New York-helmed around-the-way girl. Without further adeiu…
Synopsis: Foxy Brown, an average but sexy every day woman (70s around the way girl) seeks revenge against Miss Katherine and Steve Elias, the gangsters responsible for murdering her FBI agent boyfriend–who succeeded in the arrests and convictions of several drug dealers and goons tearing apart the black community.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgTv0VrsWhs]
“When Foxy Brown comes to town, all the brothers gather around… A chick with drive, don’t take no jive… She’s sweet brown suga with a touch of spice…”
Out of the few female blaxploitation actresses and heroines, Pam Grier as Foxy Brown was my favorite (she went out blazing at the end of this movie). I can see why she became an icon of the genre and why she did so well, cranking out film after film–she was gorgeous (and still is) and had that certain je ne sais quoi (star power). Plus, Pam Grier did all her own stunts in every film.
Although I’m an 80s baby, I grew up fascinated by Pam Grier. The characters she played inspired me and made me want to be like her–a pretty, fierce, strong baadasssss. Her characters were a big advancement for not just black women and girls, but for women and girls period. There were no real heroines in film and TV in the 80s, barely any in the 90s (if you count Xena) and there aren’t many now. Pam Grier is still technically an inspiration, hence the rapper: Foxy Brown.
“Foxy Brown, the rapper who has taken the name… Just by using that name she’s saying ‘I’m independent and I will try to use my own wits and intelligence to get by, and to get over and learn,'” said Grier in an interview about her movie roles and influence in pop culture (taken from What it is…What is Was–Hyperion Books)
You can also see the influence in Austin Powers 3 with Beyonce’s character Foxxy Cleopatra. Her persona was a combination of various female characters from the blaxploitation era (Cleopatra Jones, TNT Jackson and Grier’s characters). If you saw the movie, then you probably remember how she kept saying “I’m Foxxy Cleopatra, and I’m a whole lotta woman!” There’s a scene in Foxy Brown where she beat up her trifling brother and his girlfriend. The girlfried asked rhetorically, “Who does she think she is?” And Foxy’s brother replied, “That’s my sister, and she’s a whole lotta woman.”
Peep the intro from the movie:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONs_ZHJOM0]
I usually feel like this and in my head imagine myself in this scenario when I’m dressed up and going out somewhere lol.
So yeah, I just love that whole attitude, confidence and vibe (the fashion is to die for too). There has been talk of a Foxy Brown remake for years but I’m not sure if it will ever happen. I heard rumors that Halle Berry was producing it and that Vivica A. Fox would play Foxy. Then, I heard that Halle was producing and playing Foxy. But that was about four years ago. I think they should remake it however, at this point, Halle nor Vivica would pop as FB. I wouldn’t be mad if Tocarra (from ANTM) played the role. Not sure about her acting skills but physically and attitudinally, she’d nail it. It would also be cool if Quentin Tarantino directed it. But we’ll see if the remake ever happens period. (Shrugs)
Music: The soundtrack was scored by Willie Hutch who also scored The Mack, which was one of my first Blaxploitation Friday features. I’m not sure if any songs from the Foxy Brown soundtrack were sampled in hip-hop but UGK sampled Willie Hutch’s “I Choose You” for their “International Players Anthem.” You can check that feature out here.
Other than that, stick it to The Man and gimme five on the black hand side.
Peace
