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The musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s award-winning novel “The Color Purple,” which is slated for national release on Dec. 25, is already making headlines with glowing reviews.

The film, featuring performers such as Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo and former “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino, was directed by Kent State University graduate Samuel “Blitz” Bazawule.

, Mark Meszoros of The News-Herald raved about Bazawule’s interpretation of the novel, stating the film delivered “enthralling scene after enthralling scene.” Meszoros also noted that the Ghanaian multimedia artist's credits include making 2018’s “The Burial of Kojo” and co-directing Beyonce’s “Black Is King.”

Now based in New York, Bazawule earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Kent State in 2005. While he majored in marketing, he has become known for his creative work as an award-winning filmmaker, musician, visual artist and author. Before moving to the Big Apple, Bazawule made a name for himself here in Kent as a hip-hop artist, which is where the moniker “Blitz the Ambassador” originated.

In , Bazawule said Kent State is where he found himself: “This is where I found Blitz. Prior to my Kent State experience, I was just an emcee. I was just out here rapping,” he said. “I was talking about what everybody else is talking about. Until I take certain classes Oscar Ritchie Hall, freshman year —and I get hit with so many facts that I could have, should have, known coming from where I come from.”