Starz Order Pilot of Documentary-Style Format Interview Series from Fat Joe

Fat Joe is seeing Starz

Starz has given a pilot order for an interview series with a documentary-style format from the 52-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American hip hop star and television personality and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Fat JoeProduced by SpringHill, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter), the pilot will feature Fat Joe sitting with celebrities and high-profile guests as the show’s host.

“We’re about to create the biggest and most culturally-relevant series on television,” said Fat Joe in a statement. “With Puff, LeBron, the incredible team at Starz, and myself teaming up, you have a dream team that is guaranteed to produce TV gold. Hosting a show has always been a dream of mine and I’m thankful for everyone who helped make it a reality. I promise you that we’re going to push the envelope, deliver compelling interviews and provide pure entertainment. Do remember – you don’t know who I know!”

“I’m excited to partner with Starz and bring these cultural giants together to create the No. 1 show on television,” added Combs. “Fat Joe is a very authentic and respected voice in the culture that deserves a platform to bring these important conversations to a global audience on a major network.”

Fat Joe continues to expand in the television space with various projects on the horizon.

A pilot is currently in development from Starz and BET Studios titled The Book of Jose about the rapper’s life from Fat Joe, Kenya Barris and Jorge Reyes.

On the hosting front, he launched The Fat Joe Show, a nightly Instagram Live talk show where he interviewed politicians, musicians, athletes, actors, entrepreneurs, and influential personalities like Dr. Anthony Fauci, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Floyd Mayweather, Dwyane Wade, Jamie Foxx, and Alicia Keys.

He also recently served as a guest host for both The Wendy Williams Show and the official recap for Triller’s Verzuz platform.

“Time and time again, Fat Joe has delivered outstanding, insightful interviews with legendary personalities who define the zeitgeist, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Starz family,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, Starz. “Fat Joe, Sean Combs, and LeBron James are inspirational icons, and we can’t wait to get started on this incredible journey.”

Fat Joe to Host This Year’s BET Hip Hop Awards

Fat Joe is hedging his BET

The 52-year-old rapper, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, will host this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards, slated for October 4 at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta.

Fat Joe

“This will be the BIGGEST award show in history,” Fat Joe tells Billboard. “It’s truly an honor to host and produce the BET Hip Hop Awards, and I can’t thank Connie [Orlando] and the entire BET family enough for this opportunity. We’re going to celebrate music, culture, and entertainment, honor the biggest and brightest stars in the world and make this an unforgettable night full of laughs and surprises. Always remember that yesterday’s host is not today’s host.”

“Fat Joe is hip-hop royalty. He has represented the art form and the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, throughout his outstanding musical career. He is a treasured friend of the network, and we’ve loved seeing and supporting his evolution to becoming the superstar he is today,” adds Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. “We can’t wait to watch him take the stage with his vivacious energy, standing together with today’s hottest and beloved hip-hop stars.”

In August, Joe announced his one-man stand-up show, which will highlight his life and career. The show is set to debut in New York City this fall. Dave Chappelle will start the show with a special introduction, while Chris Robinson serves as the show’s director. Magic Lemonade and Roc Nation are co-producing the event. His autobiography will also drop Nov. 15.

As for the BET Hip Hop Awards, the event will be taped on Sept. 30, and premieres on air Tuesday, October 4, at 9:00 pm ET/PT on BET.

Showtime & BET Studios Adapting Fat Joe’s Memoir “The Book of Jose” into TV Series

Art will soon imitate Fat Joe’s life… 

Showtime and BET Studios are developing the television project based on The Book of Jose, a pilot about the 51-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American hip hop star.

Fat JoeFat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, will executive produce alongside pilot script writer Jorge A. Reyes and Kenya Barris.

The Book of Jose is a rags-to-riches story following Fat Joe’s evolution from growing up in the drug and violence-scarred streets of the Bronx to becoming a Grammy-nominee, producer, and actor with a career spanning nearly three decades. The project will follow every phase of Joe’s life and the threats that have come in the form of rivals, addiction, incarceration, and death. All of which showed the artist that resilience and the love of his family are the only paths to success.

Fat Joe, Book of Jose

The Book of Jose comes from Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society in collaboration with Cinema Giants, Buffalo Kid Films, and Artists First. It will be produced through Khalabo Ink Society’s overall deal with BET Studios, where Barris is also a principal partner.

Also serving as executive producers alongside Cartagena, Barris, and Reyes is E. Brian Dobbins, and pilot director Jessy Terrero. Luis F. Velasco and Ulysses Terrero will produce and Ashley Acevedo will AP.

Hosea Chanchez to Star in Bernard David Jones’ Pilot “Remember”

It’s a time to remember for Hosea Chanchez.

The 40-year-old Afro-Dominican American actor will star opposite Bernard David Jones in the pilot Remember, which has launched production after receiving a WarnerMedia OneFifty grant supporting the early stages of its development.

Hosea Chanchez,Chanchez, best known for his starring role on The Game, is among a list of cast newcomers that includes Devere RogersGriffin Matthews and Brandon Gill.

The series created, written and exec produced by Jones will be a dramedy following the forgetful millennial Jahi and his four best friends as they navigate queer love, rocky careers, and the ups and downs of friendship, while realizing that Jahi’s forgetfulness is more serious than imagined.

Tosin Morohunfola, John Clarence Stewart, Marcel Spears, Marcc Rose, Elise Eberle, Christy St. John, Joy Brunson and Leon Fleisher will also appear in the pilot.

Jones is playing Jahi, who has decided to live his life as freely as he can, while struggling with his impending memory loss. Jahi loves his friends and desires true romantic love, but becomes his own biggest saboteur while pursuing it.

Chanchez will play Matias, an older friend of Jahi’s with years of experience in the queer world. He is openly bisexual, and has ended an 18-year marriage to a woman he truly loved. After being fired from a job he’s had for 22 years, he has to make a decision. Does he try to find another job, or does he follow his passion?

Jones is producing the series with Chanchez and Gem Little, with Tari Wariebi serving as its director.

“I’m so excited to bring the story of Remember to the world. As a young queer black boy, I searched for characters in the media that looked like me…that felt like I did,” said Jones. “From the very beginning of my career, I knew that I wanted my storytelling to change lives and to challenge what society deemed normal…be disruptive. Remember is a love letter to my community…my friends. This is bigger than just representation for diversity’s sake. This show is an opportunity for freedom, and for some, healing. This cast and crew are amazing! The director and the producers are the best emerging talent that I have ever worked with. Thank you Warner Media/ One Fifty for recognizing how important this story is, and giving me the opportunity to live out my dreams!”

“After reading the beautiful script REMEMBER, written by Bernard David Jones, I knew this was a story I wanted to tell as an actor and producer. It’s about the journey of a group of Black queer friends whose lives are forever changed when one of them receives a diagnosis that threatens their mortality and memory,” added Chanchez. “These are the stories that light my fuse as a filmmaker, things that everyday Black men and women go through that aren’t seen or talked about enough. It’s our job to shine a light on these characters and stories that are often deep in the shadows and bring them to the forefront. I can’t wait for the world to see what we’ve created.”

Chanchez starred as Malik Wright in all nine seasons of BET’s hit series The Game, and also starred on the big screen opposite Evan Ross, David Oyelowo and Brittany Snow in 96 Minutes.

His previous credits include a starring role in Regina King’s Let the Church Say Amen for BET and Down for Whatever for TV One. He’ll soon be seen in Fanatic, which airs in February on BET.

Cardi B Earns Three Soul Train Award Nominations

Cardi B’s got soul…

The nominations have been announced for this year’s Soul Train Awards, with the 29-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar picking up three nods.

Cardi B

Cardi B is nominated in the Video of the Year category for her sexified “Wild Side” collaboration with Normani.

The “WAP” singer is also nominated twice in the Best Dance Performance category. She earned a nod for her “Rumors” collaboration with Lizzo, as well as her “Wild Side” collab with Normani.

The Soul Train Awards, which recognizes the best in soul and R&B, will be taped at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem on November 20. It will premiere on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. As previously announced, Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold will co-host the show for the fourth consecutive year.

Bruno Mars is also up for three awards…

The 36-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer and his Silk Sonic group Anderson .Paak are nominated for Song of the Year, Video of the Year and The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award for their chart-topping single, “Leave the Door Open.”

Jhené Aiko is nominated for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, while Ashanti is nominated in the Certified Soul category.

H.E.R. leads the 2021 Soul Train Awards nominations with eight nods.

The show will be special on two counts. This will mark the first time the show has been taped at the Apollo (or in New York, for that matter). It will also honor the 50th anniversary of Soul Train, which made its debut in October 1971.

Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy, will oversee the show, with Jamal Noisette VP, specials, music programming & music strategy, set to co-executive produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay will serve as executive producers.

Here’s the complete list of nominees for the 2021 Soul Train Awards:

Song of the year:
Blxst feat. Ty Dolla $Ign & Tyga – “Chosen”
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic) – “Leave the Door Open”
H.E.R. – “Damage”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Wizkid feat. Tems – “Essence”
Yung Bleu feat. Drake – “You’re Mines Still”

Album of the year:
Blxst – No Love Lost
Doja Cat – Planet Her
Giveon – When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time
H.E.R. – Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales
Wizkid – Made in Lagos

Video of the year:
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak (Silk Sonic) – “Leave the Door Open”
Chris Brown, Young Thug feat. Future, Lil Durk, Latto – “Go Crazy (Remix)”
H.E.R. – “Damage”
Jazmine Sullivan – “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Normani feat. Cardi B – “Wild Side”
Wizkid feat. Tems – “Essence”

Best R&B/soul female artist:
Alicia Keys
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
SZA

Best R&B/soul male artist:
Blxst
Chris Brown
Giveon
Lucky Daye
Tank
Usher

Best collaboration:
Chris Brown, Young Thug feat. Future, Lil Durk, Latto – “Go Crazy (Remix)”
Doja Cat feat. SZA – “Kiss Me More”
H.E.R. feat. Chris Brown – “Come Through”
Jazmine Sullivan feat. H.E.R. – “Girl Like Me”
Wizkid feat. Tems – “Essence”
Yung Bleu feat. Drake – “You’re Mines Still”

Best new artist:
Blxst
Capella Grey
Morray
Tems
Tone Stith
Yung Bleu

Certified soul award:
Anthony Hamilton
Ashanti
Charlie Wilson
The Isley Brothers
Jam & Lewis
T-Pain

Best dance performance:
Chloe X Halle – “Ungodly Hour”
Chris Brown, Young Thug – “City Girls”
Lizzo Feat. Cardi B – “Rumors”
Normani Feat. Cardi B- “Wild Side”
Usher – “Bad Habits”

Best gospel/inspirational award:
Brian Courtney Wilson
James Fortune
Kelly Price
Kirk Franklin
Maverick City Music
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

The Ashford and Simpson songwriter’s award:
“Can’t Let It Show” – written by: Kate Bush, Durrell Babbs (Tank)
“Come Through” – written by: Carl Mccormick, Chris Brown, H.E.R., Kelvin Wooten, Michael L. Williams Ii, Tiara Thomas (H.E.R. Feat. Chris Brown)
“Damage” – written by: Anthony Clemons Jr., Carl Mccormick, H.E.R., James Harris, Jeff Gitelman, Terry Lewis, Tiara Thomas (H.E.R.)
“Essence” – written by: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Oniko Eddie Uzezi, Oniko Evawero, Richard Isong, Temilade Openiyi (Wizkid Feat. Tems)
“Leave the Door Open” – written by: Bruno Mars, Brandon Anderson, Dernst Emile Ii, Christopher Brody Brown (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic)
“Pick Up Your Feelings” – written by: Blue June, Chi, Audra Mae Butts, Jazmine Sullivan, Kyle Coleman, Michael Holmes (Jazmine Sullivan)

Ashanti to Receive Lady of Soul Honor at This Month’s Soul Train Awards

Ashanti is the (Soul) Lady of the moment…

The 41-year-old half-Afro-Dominican singer/actress will receive the Lady of Soul honor at this year’s Soul Train Awards.

Ashanti

“I’m honored to be recognized as this year’s Lady of Soul honoree,” Ashanti said. “This is a full circle moment for me because I received the Aretha Franklin entertainer of the year award at the Lady of Soul Awards in 2002. As we commemorate 50 years of Soul Train, I’m proud to be a part of this legacy and to return to the Apollo to celebrate.”

Previous Lady of Soul honorees include Jill Scott (2015), Brandy (2016), SWV (2017), Faith Evans (2018), Yolanda Adams (2019) and Monica (2020).

Maxwell will receive the Legend award, which has gone in recent years to Babyface (2015), Teddy Riley (2016), Toni Braxton (2017), Erykah Badu (2018) and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (2019).

“It’s an honor to be presented with the Legend award by a community that’s been growing with me throughout my career,” said the half-Puerto Rican R&B singer in a statement. “I’m so grateful to be sharing this moment with everyone and returning to the Apollo for an evening of excellence.”

BET Soul plans to dedicate a full hour to music videos by Maxwell and Ashanti, starting Wednesday (Nov. 3) at 10:00 a.m. ET. Check local listings.

The Soul Train Awards, which recognizes the best in soul and R&B, will be taped at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem on November 20. It will premiere on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. As previously announced, Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold will co-host the show for the fourth consecutive year.

Cardi B Becomes First Female Artist to Win Best Hip-Hop Video Twice at BET Hip Hop Awards

Cardi B has earned a place in BET history…

The 28-year-old half Dominican American rap superstar and Megan Thee Stallion were the top winners at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, which were telecast on Tuesday on BET.

Cardi B

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion took home three awards for their chart-topping smash “WAP“: song of the year, best hip-hop video and best collaboration.

Cardi B is the first female artist to win best hip-hop video twice. She won two years ago for “Money.” Among all artists, Drake is the category leader with five awards. T.I., Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar have each won twice.

This is the second year in a row that an all-female pairing has won best collaboration. “Savage” (remix) by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé won last year.

The awards show was pre-recorded on Friday at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.

Here’s the full list of winners.

Hip hop album of the year
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, The Creator

Song of the year
“WAP,” Produced by Ayo & Keyz (Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion) \

Hip hop artist of the year
Lil Baby

Best hip-hop video
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

Best new hip hop artist
Yung Bleu

Best collaboration
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

Best duo or group
Lil Baby & Lil Durk

Best live performer
Tyler, the Creator

Lyricist of the year
J. Cole

Best international flow
Little Simz (UK)

Video director of the year
Missy Elliott

Producer of the year
Hit-Boy

Hustler of the year
Saweetie

Sweet 16: best featured verse
Jay-Z, “What It Feels Like” (Nipsey Hussle feat. Jay-Z)

Impact track
Nipsey Hussle feat. Jay-Z, “What It Feels Like”

I Am Hip Hop award
Nelly

Rock the Bells cultural influence award 
Tyler, The Creator

DJ of the year and best hip hop platform will be revealed once the voting window closes on BET.com.

Cardi B Earns Nine BET Hip Hop Awards Nominations

Cardi B is on Cloud Nine

The 28-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar leads the nominees for the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, alongside Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion, with nine nods each.

Cardi B

Cardi B is up for Hip Hop Artist of the Year, alongside Drake, J. Cole, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion and Tyler, the Creator.

Cardi B, nominated for Best Live Performer, Hustler of the Year and Beast Featured Verse for her appearance on Migos’ “Type Shit,” is also up for Best Collaboration, Song of the Year and Best Hip Hop Video for “WAP,” her chart-topping single with Megan Thee Stallion.

Meanwhile, her history-making chart-topping single “Up,” is nominated for Best Hip Hop Video and Song of the Year.

BIA, whose full name is Bianca Miquela Landrau, has earned two nominations this year.

The 30-year-old half-Afro Puerto Rican rapper/singer is up for Best Collaboration and Song of the Year alongside Nicki Minaj for “Whole Lotta Money (Remix).”

Xamã, the 31-year-old Brazilian musical artist who released the single “Câncer” with Luisa Sonza, is nominated for Best International Flow.

“Our 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees span generations and are a representation of the talented individuals who elevate hip hop culture in creative and diverse ways,” said Connie Orlando, EVP specials, music programming & music strategy for BET, in a statement.

Nominees across 17 categories were selected by a voting body of music industry insiders.

The 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards will be taped at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Friday, October 1 and will premiere on BET on Tuesday, October 5, at 9:00 pm ET/PT. The show will simulcast internationally on BET Africa on Wednesday, October 6 AT 3:00 am CAT.

Voting for DJ of the year and best hip hop platform is now open at VoteHipHopAwards.com.

Here’s the complete list of 2021 BET Hip Hop Award nominees:

Hip hop album of the year
A Gangsta’s Pain, Moneybagg Yo
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, The Creator
Culture III, Migos
Good News, Megan Thee Stallion
Khaled Khaled, DJ Khaled
Savage Mode II, 21 Savage & Metro Boomin
The Off-Season, J. Cole

Song of the year
“Back in Blood,” Produced by YC (Pooh Shiesty feat. Lil Durk)
“Late At Night,” Produced by Mustard (Roddy Ricch)
“Laugh Now Cry Later,” Produced by G. Ry, Cardogotwings, Roget Chahayed & Yung Exclusive (Drake feat. Lil Durk)
“Up,” Produced by Yung DZA, Sean Island, DJ Swanqo (Cardi B)
“WAP,” Produced by Ayo & Keyz (Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
“Whole Lotta Money (Remix),” Produced By London Jae, Beatgodz, Tee Romano (Bia feat. Nicki Minaj)

Hip hop artist of the year
Cardi B
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Tyler, the Creator

Best hip hop video
Cardi B, “Up”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Drake feat. Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Lil Nas X, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”
Saweetie feat. Doja Cat, “Best Friend”

Best new hip hop artist
Blxst
Coi Leray
Don Toliver
Morray
Pooh Shiesty
Yung Bleu

Best collaboration
21 Savage & Metro Boomin Feat. Drake, “Mr. Right Now”
Bia feat. Nicki Minaj, “Whole Lotta Money (Remix)”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DJ Khaled feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk, “Every Chance I Get”
Drake feat. Lil Durk, “Laugh Now Cry Later”
Pooh Shiesty feat. Lil Durk, “Back in Blood”

Best duo or group
21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Chris Brown & Young Thug
City Girls
Future & Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Baby & Lil Durk
Migos

Best live performer
Busta Rhymes
Cardi B
DaBaby
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
Tyler, the Creator

Lyricist of the year
Benny the Butcher
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Nas

Best international flow
Ladipoe (Nigeria)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Xamã (Brazil)
Laylow (France)
Gazo (France)
Little Simz (UK)
Dave (UK)

Video director of the year
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
Dave Meyers
Director X
Hype Williams
Missy Elliott

DJ of the year
Chase B
D Nice
DJ Cassidy
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Scheme
Kaytranada

Producer of the year
DJ Khaled
Hit-Boy
Metro Boomin
Mustard
The Alchemist
Tyler, the Creator

Hustler of the year
Cardi B
Drake
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Saweetie
Yung Bleu

Best hip hop platform
Complex
Genius
Hip Hop DX
Hot New Hiphop
The Breakfast Club
The Shade Room
Worldstar Hiphop
XXL

Sweet 16: best featured verse
Cardi B, “Type Shit” (Migos feat. Cardi B)
Drake, “Havin’ Our Way” (Migos feat. Drake)
Jay-Z, “What It Feels Like” (Nipsey Hussle feat. Jay-Z)
Lil Durk, “Back in Blood” (Pooh Shiesty feat. Lil Durk)
Megan The Stallion, “On Me (Remix)” (Lil Baby feat. Megan Thee Stallion)
Roddy Ricch, “Lemonade (Remix)” (Internet Money feat. Don Toliver & Roddy Ricch)

Impact track
Black Thought , “Thought Vs Everybody”
Lil Nas X, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”
Lil Baby & Kirk Franklin, “We Win”
Meek Mill Feat. Lil Durk, “Pain Away”
Nipsey Hussle feat. Jay-Z, “What It Feels Like”
Rapsody, “12 Problems”

Amara La Negra to Appear on BET & Kin’s Digital Lifestyle Series “Celebrity Stash”

Amara La Negra is sharing her stash…

BET has partnered with Kin on new digital lifestyle series Celebrity Stash, which will feature the appearance of the 30-year-old Afro-Dominican singer.

Amara La Negra

The eight-episode first season will give fans a look into the homes of some of their favorite stars, including La Negra, Bow WowEva MarcilleSafaree, Young M.A., Yandy Smith-Harris, B Simone, and Letoya Luckett.

The series will premiere on Friday, July 9, on BET Her’s YouTube channel with Luckett.

In each episode, a new celebrity guest will invite fans into their home to check out some of their beloved belongings, from Swarovski crystal baby shoes to multicolored motorcycles, and help decide which treasures to keep and which to donate to charity.

“It’s been a pleasure to partner with Kin to produce Celebrity Stash. We’re proud to have created a show that melds celebrity and philanthropy. Having stars give us a glimpse into their personal spaces along with donating an item for charity from their collections is really special,” said SVP and General Manager of BET Digital, Amy DuBois Barnett.

The episode release schedule is as follows:

  • 7/9: EP 101 LeToya Luckett / Dallas, TX
  • 7/16: EP 102 Amara La Negra / Miami, FL
  • 7/23: EP 103 Safaree / Atlanta, GA
  • 7/30: EP 105 Young M.A/ Phillipsburg, NJ
  • 8/6: EP 104 Bow Wow / Atlanta, GA
  • 8/13: EP 106 Eva Marcille / Atlanta, GA
  • 8/20: EP Yandy Smith-Harris/ Atlanta, GA
  • 8/27: EP 108 B Simone/Atlanta, GA

Celebrity Stash is produced by Shani Black and Gabrielle Jones for Kin, creator of unscripted entertainment franchises that resonate with women ages 25 to 40. Amber Mike serves as executive producer for BET.