VH1 is taking a break from producing ratchet reality shows featuring black women snatching back manes, and will focus instead on the “golden-era” of 90’s hip-hop with the movie The Breaks, starring Mack Wilds, Method Man, Wood Harris and Afton Williamson.
According to the network, the film is set against the backdrop of a New York summer and chronicles the journey of Nikki, David, and DeeVee, three friends united by their love of hip-hop, as they work to make their big mark in the music industry. The film will highlight how the music industry’s artists and hustlers intersect in the dance clubs and the street corners of the still crime-ridden city.
Nikki Jones is a brilliant recent grad who abandoned a scholarship to law school to pursue her dream of becoming a record exec. Her boyfriend, David Aaron, is the scrappy son of a legendary music producer unwilling to rest on his father’s laurels and notorious reputation. DeeVee is an aspiring producer on the hunt to find the next big rapper on the come-up.
Inspired by journalist Dan Charnas’ book about the hip-hop business, The Big Payback, VH1’s newest original movie is written, directed, and executive produced by Seith Mann (The Wire, The Walking Dead, Homeland). The movie will air January 4 at 9/8c, and if it’s a success, it may be turned into a weekly series.
