If you either know me or have followed the site for a while, then you’d know that I’m a fan of all things bad movies (in just this week alone I’ve watched Belly 2, some flick called Premature, and a documentary on former MLB pitcher Dock Ellis on how he threw a no-hitter while high on LSD). Suffice to say, whenever VH1 decides to air an “original film” I’m instantly here for it. the biopics on TLC, MC Hammer, and Michael Jackson? I had a front-row seat for all of them.
However, their next project may actually break that tradition, as it actually sounds really promising. Attaching legendary beatsmith DJ Premier to the project, VH1 will begin filming “The Breaks” – a “narrative history of the hip hop business” – in June.
Inspired by journalist Dan Charnas’ book “The Big Payback,” “The Breaks” will be written, directed and executive produced by Seith Mann (whose credits include “The Wire,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Homeland”). Primo has been tapped to serve as executive music producer as well as provide the score of the film.
“The Breaks” will chronicle 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 travel viewers back to the summer of 1990 in New York City where 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 graduate who abandoned a scholarship to law school to pursue her dream of becoming a record executive. Her boyfriend, David Aaron, is the scrappy son of a legendary music producer who is 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.
Sure, the description sounds a bit corny, but so was VH1’s remake of “Drumline,” and I watched that too! Anyways, “The Breaks” is set to premiere sometime in the Fall of 2015.
