Fredro Starr, best known as a founding member of Onyx and a seasoned actor, is stepping into a new creative role; film director. Starr is set to helm The Tunnel, his first narrative feature, a coming-of-age story rooted in the gritty, electrifying pulse of 1990s New York City nightlife. The film centers around the infamous Tunnel nightclub, a staple of the city’s hip-hop and cultural scene.
Leading the cast is rising star Deyshaun Tucker, currently making waves in Carl Weber’s The Family Business. Tucker will portray a young man navigating a whirlwind of love, brotherhood, and decisions that could shape his future, all during one unforgettable night out.
Produced by 100 MAD Company, The Tunnel follows two ambitious college basketball players determined to make the most of their night as they attempt to gain entry into the legendary club. Their journey unfolds with action, humor, romance, and the type of chaotic adventure that defined the golden era of NYC hip-hop.
The real-life Tunnel, located in the historic Terminal Warehouse in Manhattan, operated from 1986 until 2001 and played host to countless unforgettable nights. It was a magnet for emerging and established hip-hop artists and earned its place as a cultural landmark. The club’s wild reputation was immortalized in numerous songs and interviews, including Complex’s well-documented oral history.
Starr draws inspiration for the film from his own life and from themes he explored in his memoir BACDAFUCUP: The Story of Onyx. The result is a personal homage to the energy, chaos, and brilliance of Black and brown youth culture that flourished in New York during that era.
Co-written by Starr and screenwriter Jason Latief Anderson, The Tunnel is currently in development with principal photography slated to begin in June 2025 in New York City. Additional casting announcements are expected soon.
As Fredro Starr transitions from the mic to the director’s chair, The Tunnel promises to be a heartfelt and energetic tribute to a bygone nightlife institution and the community it inspired.
Stay tuned for more as this nostalgic slice of NYC’s hip-hop past prepares to hit the screen.