The singer/songwriter - who has been involved in the moviemaking process and will star in the film - likens the project to Eminem's 2002 movie 8 Mile, which was based on the rapper's own rise to fame.

Ne-Yo tells Rap-up.com, "We are putting together the (film) right now as we speak, as a matter of fact. The name of the movie is Venice Beach and basically it's going to be my 8 Mile, loosely based on (my) life, but not really."

Ne-Yo previously tested his acting skills with an appearance in 2007's Stomp the Yard