Kanye West turns hand to acting

Kanye West has won six Grammy Awards in two years

US star Kanye West is the latest rapper to turn his hand to acting - in a movie inspired by his music.

The singer has signed a deal with New Line Cinema to develop and star in a film about his "vision" of America.

Eminem and 50 Cent have both portrayed versions of themselves on the big screen in recent years.

West's middle-class upbringing in Chicago has set him apart from other rappers, who often sing about achieving success from poverty.

'Unique experience'

His film will aim to look at life in the United States from different perspectives.

RAPPERS ON THE BIG SCREEN Eminem: 8 Mile 50 Cent: Get Rich Or Die Tryin' Queen Latifah: Chicago, Bringing Down The House Will Smith: Men in Black, Ali Ludacris: Crash, Hustle & Flow Ice Cube: Boyz in the Hood, Three Kings P Diddy: Monster's Ball DMX: Exit Wounds

According to producer Richard Brown, the untitled project will "synthesise" West's own ideas with those "of a fantastic group of film-makers".

They will create "what will be a one-of-a-kind film experience," he added.

West has won six Grammy awards for his two multi-platinum albums, The College Dropout, and last year's Late Registration.