Omar Epps learned how to spin as a DJ before production began, and a lot of what he does in the movie is authentic.
According to Jermaine Hopkins, Tupac Shakur often walked off the set during filming. As a prank, Hopkins told Shakur that he was being fired from the film. When Shakur found out that it was not true, he started a physical altercation with Hopkins.
Daryl Mitchell, Donald Faison, Anthony 'Treach' Criss, and Money-B were amongst the people who auditioned for the role of Bishop. Tupac Shakur had accompanied Money-B to the audition and asked to read. Shakur nailed the role when he threw a chair during his audition. Shakur helped Criss get a cameo as a member of Radames' gang.
Omar Epps' mother wasn't thrilled with her son pursuing an acting career, even with his casting in this film. But when they were at the premiere, he said that she realized his success when they were sitting a seat away from Diana Ross.
Omar Epps was a Senior in high school when he was cast as Q. He had been contemplating a singing career since he was a part of a group or an acting career.
Donald Faison: approaches Omar Epps (Q) at his locker at school. Both would later play doctors on TV (Faison as Christopher Turk on Scrubs (2001) & Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman on House (2004)).