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High school musicals and films are a thing of our American culture. We have classics such HAIRSPRAY, GREASE, SISTER ACT II, YOU GOT SERVED, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL thats sets the tone of teens and musical talents.

I got an opportunity to interview two of the stars from Howard High, Marques Houston & Keith Sweat, which is a modern-age “Bring It On” and follows a high school musical group that must compete against a rival school.

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Premiering February 4, HOWARD HIGH follows a high school musical group that must compete against a rival school in order to save their arts program, while also battling issues from the inside. Based on the 2020 hit TV mini-series, which will be available on Tubi during Black History Month, HOWARD HIGH is an entertaining and fun-loving film that also sheds light on the challenges students and school arts programs face in underfunded neighborhoods. In addition to director Christopher B. Stokes, the film from Footage Films features an ensemble cast that includes Chrissy Stokes (“Southland”), Anthony Lewis (“Madea’s Farewell Play”), Earanequa Carter, Lindsay Davis, Veronika Bozeman (“Karen”), Jarell Houston (“You Got Served”), Christian Gonzalez and Kida Burns (“Battlefield America”), as well as Keith Sweat, Marques Houston, Ross Fleming, Hannah Malone, Deonte Jackson, Rayan Lopez, Diany Arias, Asha Franklin and Lindsay Diann. Additionally, the HOWARD HIGH original soundtrack will drop on February 4 on all digital platforms.

Keith Sweat (Emit Turner)

Marques Houston (Michael Kirsh)

Chats with Marques Houston & Keith Sweat:

Marques Houston was highly influenced by Sister Act II when he was younger that help transpire his own career and role in this film.

Keith Sweat doesn’t mind being called “Uncle Keith” as much, but he rather be addressed as OG!

Marques Houston help produce the song between him & Keith Sweat’s characters in the film.

Keith Sweat swore he would never do a stage play type show but was honored Chris Stokes trusted him with this film. He truly enjoyed the experience of this musical based film and got him out of his comfort zone.

Marques Houston feels like this is a great trangenerational film where all ages will enjoy the music and the concept of this movie. It’s for all ages and music always brings people of any generation together.

Keith Sweat loves any generation of music. He has been in the industry for over 40 years, but still rocks with modern times. He says this generation embraces him and he is always collaborating with new artist. He just did a collab song with Gunna. He is also a big fan of Summer Walker currently.

Marques Houston knows since he has been in the industry musically with Immature and acting on the popular tv series Sister, Sister, it was easy to transition into his mentor teacher role for Howard High.

Keith Sweat says the films will give a sense of musical relevancy in today. Every generation has a music film and he hopes Howard High will be this new move that people will enjoy timelessly years from now.

Marques Houston states this movie is different because it not only just gives you music, but it’s a love story and it’s also a mix of dance as well. It’s a lot of creative talent all in one and the film as a whole will be well rounded and full of talent.

Marques Houston wants to clarify that there isn’t any confirmed proceedings for filming or rebooting YOU GOT SERVED. He states as much as that film was a classic, it was something that was perfect for that era and time-space. Howard High is perfect for this era and time-space so rather to go back and figure out YGS filming possibilities, know that certain films have an

Keith Sweat & Marques Houston both know this film is important to showcase the representation of black teens and their talents in high school. Teen films with black representation is important as a whole, but showcasing how talented they are is also what is going to make this musical so special.

Howard High is now streaming on Tubi (free-streaming service).