WE tv said it ordered the six-episode docu-series Growing Up Hip Hop from Entertainment One (eOne), to premiere in late 2015. It concerns "the next generation of hip hop royalty as they attempt to step outside the shadow of their famous families:" Damon Dash, Rev. Run, Russell Simmons, Master P, El DeBarge and Pepa.
“Hip hop is a hugely popular music genre, but beyond the songs it has become a lifestyle and has influenced a generation of young people,” Marc Juris, WE tv’s president, said in a release. "Growing Up Hip Hop profiles what it’s like to be raised by hip hop legends, living in their shadow while trying to balance success and independence. This series will be right at home in our growing line-up focused on the authenticity and the challenges of real people and real relationships, and we can’t wait to share these distinctive original stories with WE tv viewers.”
The principals:
Romeo Miller is a musician, actor (formerly known as Lil’ Romeo) and the son of Master P. He’s on track to take over the music empire his father built, but is that really his path or will he veer off course? He consistently leans on close friend Angela for guidance and support;
Angela Simmons, the daughter of rap pioneer Rev. Run and niece of Russell Simmons, is a hip hop socialite, model and fashion designer of her own line, Foofi. She is a social media powerhouse who’s hoping to translate her fashion success into dollars away from the comfort of her father’s fortunes;
Damon “Boogie” Dash is the namesake of his father, Roc-A-Fella co-founder and media mogul, Damon Dash. Like father like son, “Boogie” is also an entrepreneur having co-founded Chipz Cookies as well as a record label and NYC art gallery;
Kristinia DeBarge is the daughter of James DeBarge from the legendary yet troubled group DeBarge, and a singer/songwriter in her own right. With her father currently in prison, Kristinia leans on her uncle, hip hop legend El DeBarge, as she struggles to choose between family and fame, all while considered the outsider of this tight-knit group;
Egypt Criss, the daughter of Sandra “Pepa” Denton from Salt-N-Pepa and rap icon Treach from Naughty By Nature, is actively pursuing a solo music career. Her overprotective mother, however, has yet to bless her career choice based on her own experiences in the hip hop industry which she helped establish;
TJ Mizell, the son of the late Run D.M.C. DJ, Jam Master Jay, has stepped into his father’s shoes as a DJ, spinning at the hottest events and venues around the world, yet always on his mind is his father’s mysterious and still unsolved murder.
Growing Up Hip Hop is executive produced by John Morayniss and Tara Long for eOne along with Romeo Miller, Angela Simmons, Percy Robert Miller (Master P) and Datari Turner. Turner’s Datari Turner Productions is co-producing the series. Lauren Gellert, executive vice president, development and original programming, Suzanne Murch, vice president, original programming, and Mark Powell are the executive producers for WE tv.
