Following the successful TV movie, VH1 is creating The Breaks TV series.
VH1 has picked up the hip-hop drama to series, according to reports. The drama, which started out as a TV movie, is based on Dan Charnas’ novel The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop. The book is one of the most comprehensive accounts of Hip-Hop history and the business surrounding the musical genre. Charnas documents the rise of the genre as a writer for The Source and goes through over 40 years of stories, rumors and history.
The Breaks aired last month and was the No. 2 cable original movie of the year with extremely high ratings in the key-demographic.
The Breaks featured Wood Haris, Mack Wilds, Afton Williamson, David Call, Antoine Harris and Method man. Most of the cast is expected to return. The Breaks was written, directed and executive produced by Seith Mann (The Wire), with Mann and Charnas contributing the story. DJ Premier composed the score and served as executive music producer.
The Breaks centers around Nikki, David and DeeVee, three friends united by their love for hip-hop as they work to make their mark in the music industry. The movie starts in the summer of 1990 in New York City where hip-hop connects with dance clubs and street corners.
“The Breaks’ is VH1 at its best, intersecting ’90s nostalgia with hip-hop for the masses,” VH1 GM Chris McCarthy said. “Both the viewers and critics have spoken, and we couldn’t be happier to continue telling the story that has already connected with millions of pop culture fans.”
