Common Sense Media Review
Solid coming-of-age prequel has violence, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Power Book III: Raising Kanan
What's the Story?
Co-produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN, the third installment of the Power franchise, chronicles the early years of Kanan Stark (Mekai Curtis) before he became a cold-blooded drug dealer. It's 1991, and 15-year-old Kanan lives with his mother, local drug lord Raquel "Raq" Thomas (Patina Miller), in South Jamaica Queens. While Raq pushes her son to focus on going to college and having a better life, she's also expanding her network of dealers and dealing with her competition. But Kanan has grown up in her world, and will do what he can to protect her.
Is It Any Good?
This solid series, which is a prequel to Power, is a drama about a family who plays a central role in the South Jamaica Queens drug trade. It reveals the close relationship between Kanan and Raquel, the portrayal of which is loosely based on Curtis 50 Cent Jackson's own mother. Like the other installments of the franchise, it also explores the complicated dynamics between their family and friends. But Power Book III: Raising Kanan is also a coming-of-age story, and shows how Kanan's entrance into manhood marks the beginning of his life as a ruthless drug dealer. If you're a fan of the Power universe, you won't be disappointed by what you find here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Raquel's role as a mother and the head of a powerful drug gang. What kinds of lessons does she teach her son while he's growing up? How do they contribute to Kanan's decisions as he grows up? What about later in life?
How well does Power Book III: Raising Kanan connect to the events portrayed in Power? Does it connect to Power Book II: Ghost? in any way? Is it possible to follow the story in this installment without watching any other parts of the franchise?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 18, 2021
- Cast : Mekai Curtis , Patina Miller , London Brown
- Network : Starz
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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