Nas Teams Up for TV Series on Life of Chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley

Hip hop icon Nas is making moves in a new game, and this time it’s not in the music industry. The revered rapper has teamed up with Power Universe EP Mark Canton for a TV series based on the life and victories of Maurice Ashley, the first Black International Chess Grandmaster.

The upcoming series, in conjunction with Ordinary Angels producers Green Hummingbird Entertainment and producer Alexandra Renee-Scott, will focus on Ashley’s barrier-breaking journey to becoming a Grandmaster in 1999. Born in Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, Ashley has been a coach to national champions and is the founder of the Harlem Chess Center.

Nas expressed his excitement for the project, stating, “I’m grateful to be part of bringing Maurice Ashley’s incredible life to the screen. His story is one of greatness and his perseverance will continue to inspire the next generation of thinkers.” Canton added, “We cannot be more excited to move forward on this one.”

Ashley, who was named to the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 2016, is thrilled to have his story told and is grateful for Nas’s involvement in the project. He believes the series will resonate with a broad audience as it speaks to living your dreams and shocking the world.

The drama in development has been described as a story of resilience, triumph, and the power of the human spirit. With Nas on board, along with the support of Green Hummingbird Entertainment and Canton Entertainment, Maurice Ashley’s inspiring story is set to captivate viewers and shed light on the greatness of those who have influenced his life.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaboration between Nas, Mark Canton, and Maurice Ashley as they bring the world of chess to the small screen.