VH1 has green lit their original hip hop drama, The Breaks, to be turned into a series!

The TV movie is based on Dan Charnas' best-selling book The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop, which is considered one of the most comprehensive accounts of the history and business of hip-hop.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, with a cast ensemble that included Wood Harris, Mack Wilds of The Wire fame, Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man, and David Call from Gossip Girl,  The Breaks has gone on to become the #2 cable original movie for adults 18-49 since airing back in January.

The general manager of VH1, Chris McCarthy, said of the upcoming TV series, "The Breaks’ is VH1 at its best, intersecting '90s nostalgia with hip-hop for the masses. Both the viewers and critics have spoken, and we couldn’t be happier to continue telling the story that has already connected with millions of pop culture fans."

There isn't a set premiere date for the show yet but stay tuned to The Spotlight for more info as it becomes available!

Image via VH1

4:59:00 AM

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 1997 hit ensemble film, Soul Food, will be getting a sequel! George Tillman Jr., who wrote and directed the original, is writing the new script with Nathan Skulnik.



The movie was based on a close-knit African-American family who had a tradition of eating a big dinner together every Sunday but began to fall apart after the death of their matriarch. It included the likes of Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, and Mekhi Phifer. The film, which earned $43.7 million, also spawned a Showtime TV series, Soul Food: The Series,which aired from 2000 through 2004.

The new sequel will focus on the new millennial generation of the family and their quest to return to their roots of family and tradition. Stay tuned to The Spotlight and all our social media links for more information as they become available for the movie. And if you haven't seen the original, definitely check it out, along with the Showtime series! I own the entire series on DVD!

1:53:00 AM

Looks like Nicki Minaj's life story will be gracing our TV screens very soon! According to Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, who broke the news, “the untitled series will focus on the Trinidadian-born rapper's childhood in Queens in the 1990s with her vibrant immigrant family and the personal and musical evolution that lead to her eventual rise to stardom.”













“Nicki Minaj is a force to be reckoned with at everything she touches,” said ABC Family’s EVP Programming and Development Karey Burke. “Nicki is an international superstar, yet not everyone knows how inspiring and hilarious her true story is, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”

We here at The Spotlight are very excited to hear about this news and will definitely be tuning into Nicki's new series!

1:16:00 PM

I’m always excited to feature people on The Spotlight, but even more so my girl Ashley Chin who is doing her thing in Miami, killing the fashion game with her styling and designing! Since our first encounter back in 2010, when I first interviewed her, we have stayed connected, and I’m so proud of her and happy for her success!

Now Ashley is heading into a new venture—a new style series entitled Style Zone with AC! “I’ve been doing fashion for so long with wardrobe styling and fashion designing, [but] I’ve always had an interest in broadcasting and was always told I have a natural ability to be on camera with confidence,” the designer stated. “I decided to create a stable foundation for myself and collaborate my two worlds.”







Though Ashley’s focus is fashion, the show expands beyond just style, featuring a variety of topics including music, art, and just over life experiences. “I didn’t want to just gear towards the fashion world because I felt as though it would be a bit cliché,” she said. “I want [viewers] to be able to view an episode and learn something new about the process of music, art, fitness, blogging, designing, and so much more. I want them to take in knowledge.”

The show will showcase “the lifestyle of different crafts within the industry, the process and growth with these amazing talents and again having that platform to just have voice to express their experience in the industry.” She plans to have the show air weekly, but is working on establishing great topics and interviews for the audience. In terms of balancing styling, designing, and the show, Ashley admits it’s a difficult challenge, but she’s definitely prepared to face it all head on! “I just try to keep a positive mind and keep myself in a zen balanced energy,” she said. “I’m a one-woman show!”

Check out a short clip of Ashley’s interview on the show with Miami designer Ashley G of Amp’d Up Apparel below! Be sure to check out Ashley's official website and follow her on Instagram! You can also directly email her, especially if you are in the Miami area, for more information on her own designs and styling rates! You can also follow Amp'd Up on IG as well to check out some of their clothes!

7:43:00 AM