Probably misinterpreting the contract negotiations and record label ownership tug of war as the best parts of Straight Outta Compton, the BET Network has announced a documentary series called Inside The Label that will take viewers behind the scenes of some of the biggest record labels in hip-hop.
The eight week series is set to premiere on May 17, with each episode focusing on a major label and will feature interviews and appearances from megastars including Jay-Z, Mary J Blige, Rick Ross, Killer Mike, Diddy and, um, Robin Thicke I guess?
The first person narrative accounts will be complemented with never-before-seen footage and will be executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon, reports Billboard.
Dixon speaks of the inspiration for the series. “The dreams and visions; the successes and failures… we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes. We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”
The breakdown for each episodes’ interviewees and label focus is below (via Billboard):
Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.
Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.
Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.
Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.
Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.
Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.
Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.
Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.
As yet there is no premiere for Inside The Label in Australia but that’s what Piratebay is for, remember?
Image: Billboard