Baby Boy is a 2001 American coming-of-age hood comedy-drama film directed, written, and produced by John Singleton and starring Tyrese Gibson, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames, Omar Gooding, A.J. Johnson and Taraji P. Henson. The film follows Joseph "Jody" Summers (Gibson), a 20-year-old bike mechanic as he lives and learns in his everyday life in the hood of Los Angeles.

Taraji P. Henson’s breakout performance in Baby Boy (2001) marked a pivotal moment in her acting career and left an indelible mark on urban cinema. Portraying Yvette, the fiercely loyal yet emotionally conflicted girlfriend of Tyrese Gibson’s character Jody, Henson brought raw vulnerability and strength to the screen. Her role in Baby Boy showcased her ability to embody complex female characters navigating love, betrayal, and survival in South Central Los Angeles. This early performance not only introduced audiences to Henson’s dramatic range but also helped solidify Baby Boy as a cult classic in Black cinema.