Showtime will premiere
a six part reality series this fall titled "Interscope Presents: "The Next,"
which producers say is a reality version of the rap contests in the movie "8
Mile."
The show will
follow the trials and tribulations of upcoming rappers across America as
they pursue their dreams of hip-hop stardom.
"The show
paints a picture of what countless kids across America are trying to do right
now – become successful in rap music," said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope
Geffen A&M.
"You hear
it in hip-hop all the time – lyrics about the way an artist struggles to make
it, about the way their lives were before they had a record deal. ‘The Next’
is actually going to show it to you. Every step of the way."
Iovine and Eminem’s
manager Paul Rosenberg are amongst the executive producers of the show.
"Jimmy Iovine
is the undisputed czar of hip hop, and we are thrilled to be in business with
him and Interscope," Robert Greenblatt, Showtime’s new President of Entertainment,
said.
"The freedom
of premium cable television will allow us to depict this world as real and uncensored
as possible. It will be exciting to discover America’s next top MC."
In addition to
chronicling the aspiring artists, the show will feature famed rappers telling
the hip-hop history of their respective cities.
50 Cent, Joe Budden,
Wyclef, Clipse, Big Tigger, Nate Dogg, Bonecrusher, Gang Starr and Loon are
all featured.