Piet Levy

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

One of the Milwaukee music scene's biggest stars is heading to the big screen.

Rapper IshDARR — who's generated 6.7 million SoundCloud streams for his "Old Soul + Young Spirit" and "Broken Hearts & Bankrolls" projects — will appear in Sony Pictures Entertainment's "White Boy Rick," starring Matthew McConaughey.

The film is based on the true story of Ricky "White Boy Rick" Wershe Jr., a Detroit teen who was an undercover informant for the FBI in the 1980s, during the peak of the crack epidemic. By 17, authorities labeled him a major drug kingpin. Wershe Jr., now 47, has been serving a life sentence without parole in Michigan since 1988.

RELATED: 'White Boy Rick' movie in the works

IshDARR has been cast as "Freaky Steve" Roussell, who was allegedly Wershe Jr.'s right-hand man. Roussell was shot and killed by a rival in 1987.

IshDARR — 20-year-old Ishmael Ali — performed in plays at Messmer High School, but this is his first major acting role. The film stars newcomer Richie Merritt as Wershe Jr., with McConaughey playing his father. The cast includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bruce Dern, Piper Laurie, Rory Cochrane, "Atlanta" star Brian Tyree Henry and rapper YG. Award-winning British filmmaker Yann Demange directs. Scott Silver, whose credits include "8 Mile" and "The Fighter," is among the screenwriters, and "Black Swan" director Darren Aronofsky is among the producers.

Principal photography has begun in Cleveland and will last through early June, but IshDARR is still going full force with his day job. He recently wrapped a national tour with R&B duo They, and appeared on a remix released Monday of They's track "Deep End," produced by Milwaukee electronic artist Thane.

IshDARR will also release a new EP, "Four the Better," this month, and will headline Turner Hall Ballroom April 12. The show will be his first with a full band, including local duo SistaStrings and members of funky jam group Foreign Goods.

ARCHIVE: 5 Wisconsin Bands to Watch for 2016, featuring IshDARR

"White Boy Rick" will be released in theaters on Jan. 12.

More on Music

Find out about the week's must-see shows, concert tickets and more in the newsletter "Piet Levy's Music Picks." Subscribe at jsonline.com/newsletters.

Piet talks about concerts, local music and more on "TAP'd In" with Jordan Lee, 8 a.m. Thursdays on WYMS-FM (88.9).