BET has ordered a three-part scripted series about the famed record label Uptown Records, the network announced Wednesday.
Launched in 1986, Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records played a vital role in the careers of some of the most influential voices in hip hop, soul and R&B, including Heavy D & The Boyz, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Father MC, Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams, Teddy Riley, Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Diddy” Combs and more.
“Uptown,” which will be executive produced by Harrell and Jesse Collins (“The New Edition Story,” “The Bobby Brown Story”), will span the label’s inception to current day, featuring the music and hit-makers that defined its success and the sound of the era.
Charles Murray (“Luke Cage,” “Sons of Anarchy”), Carlito Rodriguez (“Empire,” “The Leftovers”) and Barry Michael Cooper (New Jack City, “She’s Gotta Have It”) each serve as writer on one of the three parts of the miniseries, which will premiere on BET in 2020.
“We are proud to bring the story of Uptown Records to life and celebrate the indelible imprint the label has made on the industry, transforming the sound, face, and business of hip-hop and R&B,” said BET Networks president Scott Mills. “We look forward to partnering with music industry titan Andre Harrell and powerhouse producer Jesse Collins on the Uptown miniseries, bringing viewers premium content that reflects and celebrates Black excellence.”
“I am thrilled to partner with BET Networks and Jesse Collins Entertainment to share my story, the rise of Uptown Records and successful black entrepreneurship, and the management and cultivation of some of the most iconic artists to come out of the late 80s and 90s hip hop, R&B, and soul music era,” Harrell said.
“Andre Harrell is a true visionary and culture creator. It is such an honor to tell the story of a label and an icon that not only gave us such great music, but was the blueprint for black excellence through entertainment,” Collins said.