The Simpsons is loading up on hip-hop talent in preparation for its hour-long The Great Gatsby homage.
Entertainment Weekly reports the long-time animated classic has landed a trio of rappers for the upcoming episode: Snoop Dogg, RZA, and Common. The three rappers will be joined by Empire’s Cookie aka Taraji P. Henson and Key and Peele’s Keegan-Michael Key in an episode titled “The Great Phatsby.” AV Club reports the episode will be about “Mr. Burns plotting to recover his fortune from a conniving rap mogul.”
“It’s a tale of greed, excess, betrayal, revenge, and ruthlessness,” Simpsons executive producer Matt Selman told EW, “and there’s a hilarious goose in it. The goose is really funny.”
The Simpsons have covered a lot of ground over its 25-plus seasons, but it’s safe to assume the show hasn’t tackled that specific plot. Mr. Burns against a conniving rap mogul? Welcome to 2016.
Regardless, Common, Snoop Dogg, and RZA are more than just your typical rappers. The trio all have experience in the acting business. Common has starred in various projects including Hell on Wheel’s and 2016’s Suicide Squad. Snoop Dogg has also made many cameos on shows and starred as Huggy Bear in 2004’s Starsky and Hutch. Meanwhile, RZA, the former leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, has starred and directed in multiple projects, most notably, 2012’s Man with the Iron Fists. It’s just voice work, but the trio are perfectly suited for the episode.
[AV Club] [Image via Entertainment Weekly]
