Paramount+

Paramount+ Announces “MIXTAPE” Documentary With Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky & More

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There’s an age-old question that pops up whenever a rap newcomer first comes across something like Lil Wayne’s No Ceiling projects: what’s the difference between an album and a mixtape? Moreover, there are many metrics that people might use to distinguish them: quality control, recording process, release methods, etc. A common thread across these discussions, though, is the vitality and importance of the mixtape to the hip-hop genre. Furthermore, these projects are often uninhibited, sometimes obscured by the passage of time, but forever influential and freeing for artists- if done well. Whatever era of hip-hop you look at, at least a good handful (if not a treasure trove) of killer mixtapes awaits.

However, the same era they thrived in is no longer what we see in the music landscape. Speaking of No Ceilings, Weezy himself said that it would be more difficult and less alluring to drop a mixtape in today’s day and age, what with sample clearances, overloaded release schedules, and so on. With all this history in mind, Paramount+ is taking a deep dive into the importance of the medium with the documentary MIXTAPE. Premiering exclusively on the streaming service on August 1 in the U.S. and Canada and on August 2 in other international markets, the film will explore how mixtapes breathed life into rap music.

Read More: The Evolution Of Jadakiss: From Mixtapes to Mainstream Success

Lil Wayne Performing At The 2023 ESPYs

Paramount Plus Mixtape Documentary
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 12: Lil Wayne performs onstage during The 2023 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Of course, these aren’t exactly the kinds of mixtapes that Tunechi brought us, but rather those from the DJs and tastemakers of hip-hop. MTV Entertainment Studios produced MIXTAPE in association with Def Jam Recordings and a soundtrack will accompany it. Guests in the film include A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, DJ Drama, 2 Chainz, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Fabolous, Jadakiss, DJ Green Lantern, DJ Jazzy Joyce, KRS-One, and many more. In a press release, some of the film’s crew members remarked on its importance.

“Hip-hop is 50 years old and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate its journey and contextualize its evolution than through the story of the mixtape,” said director Omar Acosta. “Every voice in this film played a critical role, especially the DJs who, as KRS-ONE says beautifully in the film, risked everything to ‘bring us the music.’” “It’s an honor to be involved in this film and to help tell the real story of the mixtape, its origins, its impact, and its on-going relevance for the culture,” producer Tony Touch expressed. For more news and the latest updates on this documentary, come back to HNHH.

Read More: DJ Drama Reveals Who He Wants To Work With For Future “Gangsta Grillz” Projects

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MTV News Shut Down Amid Paramount Layoffs

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MTV News will be shutting down after 36 years, according to an Instagram post made by media personality DJ Akademiks last night (May 9). The shuttering of the MTV News Division comes as a result of widespread layoffs across the iconic network’s parent company, Paramount Global. The decision to eliminate MTV News comes after an already drastic reduction in the news division in 2017, when the company decided to change its course of action to focus on short-form content and videos, stepping towards the network’s roots as a means to face competitors like Vice and BuzzFeed.

Chris McCarthy, head of Paramount Media Networks, Showtime, and MTV revealed in a staff memo that the shuttering of the News Production Division comes as a result of “broader economic headwinds” facing the entertainment industry, despite the network’s overall success. In an effort to cut costs, McCarthy shares that the media giant has “made the very hard but necessary decision to reduce [their] domestic team by approximately 25%.” McCarthy states that “Through the elimination of some units and by streamlining others, [the company] will be able to reduce costs and create a more effective approach to [the] business as [they] move forward.”

The End of MTV News

MTV News has been a leading news source for Generation X and Millennials since the ‘80s, embracing topics ranging from politics to pop culture, and acting as an alternative to traditional cable news. The news division of the emblematic entertainment group delved into topics that appealed to younger audiences, with programs like The Week in Rock, hosted by former Rolling Stone editor Kurt Loder, Profiles in Rock, Fast Forward, and more.

The layoffs follow recent cuts in the workforces of competing media companies such as NPR, Vox Media, The Washington Post, and more, as a result of the increasingly difficult economic climate of the entertainment industry as a whole. In April, Paramount was sued by actress and stand-up comedian Mo’Nique for unpaid royalties from the show The Parkers, which ran for five seasons on UPN. The lawsuit sees Mo’Nique seeking monetary damages, naming CBS, Paramount, and Big Ten Productions as defendants. The elimination of MTV News also follows the strike of the Writer’s Guild of America earlier this month, which received support from big names in the industry like Snoop Dogg, Drew Barrymore, Pete Davidson, and more.

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MTV News to Shutdown as Paramount Cuts 25% of Staff in Layoffs

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MTV News to Shutdown as Paramount Cuts 25% of Staff in Layoffs

The historic run of MTV News is coming to a close. As Showtime rebrands into Paramount + With Showtime, Paramount, Showtime, and MTV Entertainment studios are experiencing a 25% layoff of their employees.

According to Variety, MTV News will completely shut down with the layoffs.

In a statement, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks president Chris McCarthy spoke about the success of streaming but are pressed by “broader economic headwinds like many of our peers” and pushed the company to consider “the optimal organization for the current and future needs of our business.”

Additional networks impacted by the layoffs include Nick, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, CMT, Smithsonian, TV Land, Logo, and Pop TV. Four months ago, Showtime dropped 120 employees in its merger with MTV Entertainment Studios.

You can read the full note from McCarthy here.

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Mo’Nique Sues CBS And Paramount Over Unpaid Royalties

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Mo’Nique has carved an impressive career for herself in film, television, and stand-up comedy. However, her breakout role was inarguably the UPN sitcom The Parkers. The show followed the titular Parker family, primarily comprised of single mother Nikki (Mo’Nique) and college-aged daughter Kimberly (Countess Vaughn).

The Parker ran for five seasons and 110 episodes between 1999 and 2004. Despite a cool critical reception, which was common for Black-led sitcoms at the time, the show was a ratings success. Paramount released The Parkers on DVD in 2014. Following a number of film roles, Mo’Nique hosted The Mo’Nique Show between 2009 and 2011. One 2009 episode served as a reunion for The Parkers. She released a Netflix stand-up special earlier this year.

Mo’Nique Alleges Unpaid Royalties

According to a lawsuit filed this week, Mo’Nique is seeking monetary damages due to what the suit calls an “artificial depression” of the shows’ profitability. “While the Series has proven to be a major financial success for its producers and distributors, the series’ talent have not been permitted to share in the fruits of that success,” the lawsuit reads. The suit names CBS, Paramount, and Big Ten Productions as defendants. Additionally, Mo’Nique posted to Instagram, saying, “Today we filed a lawsuit to make sure we are fairly paid money that we are owed for “The Parkers”. Actors rely on the good faith of Hollywood companies to honor their profit participation agreements.” Profit participation agreements are better known as royalties. Royalties are a recurring amount of money production staff and actors receive for the re-broadcasting of a television show or film.

The suit comes at a pivotal time for the entertainment industry. The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) is currently voting on whether to authorize strike action. If the motion passes, it will be the first major writer’s strike since 2007. Part of the WGA’s concerns is the way that royalties have been restructured in the era of streaming platforms to keep money away from the creators. In this sense, the WGA’s concerns heavily echo Mo’Nique’s legal claims against CBS and Paramount. However, CBS and Paramount are yet to respond to the allegations.

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Ziwe Talk Show Shelved After Two Seasons

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Ziwe Fumudoh, known professionally just as Ziwe, burst onto the scene in 2017 with her social media series, Baited with Ziwe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took her show from YouTube and began hosting it on Instagram Live. Since then, she has amassed nearly 600,000 Instagram followers, becoming one of social media’s favorite it girls. Her fashion and lifestyle content garnered widespread support, and in May 2021, her self-titled Showtime talk show debuted. Ziwe interviewed a number of guests, asking quirky questions in her standard lighthearted interview style. Sadly, Showtime announced this week that the network had parted ways with the late-night talk show.

The series only got two seasons, and with each episode becoming more hilariously awkward, it appeared Ziwe had a promising future with Showtime. Vulture TV called her interview style the “art of discomfort.” During her tenure with the network, she sat down with a laundry list of guests, including politician Andrew Yang and comedian Hannibal Buress. On March 23rd, the 31-year-old shared a screen grab from her show but has not posted much on social media since. It’s unclear if she knew the end of her series was near. 

Ziwe Appeared To Have A Promising Career With Showtime

The cancellation stunned fans, and while Ziwe did not confirm anything, a change in Showtime’s leadership could be to blame. Showtime CEO David Nevins left the company last year. Since then, Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Paramount Media Networks has rebranded the network. This is how Paramount+ With Showtime came about in early 2023. It appears Showcase pushed Ziwe’s cable show to the waist side. Some fans across social media have even blamed the cancellation on racism. In place of Ziwe, the network has ordered Mandy Patinkin’s comedy series, Seasoned.

Fans are now threatening to boycott the network and the streaming platform. Some blame fellow fans for failing to support the series. As one Twitter user wrote, people “never ONCE turned the actually show on.” Ziwe is the latest urban-style show to be canceled. Desus & Mero was scrapped after four seasons last year, shortly after the duo announced they were splitting up after years of establishing their comedic rise. Luckily, Ziwe has other endeavors lined up, such as the release of her new book, The Book of Ziwe. The influencer will likely be fine.

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Kendrick Lamar & “South Park” Creators’ New Movie Gets More Details

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Of all the ways in which the greatest rapper of our generation could’ve broken into the film industry, this couldn’t have been on many people’s Bingo card. Kendrick Lamar and “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are producing a live-action comedy movie together, which just got some new details about it. While there’s no release date yet, Deadline reported the news last January that they’ll make the film for Paramount Pictures alongside Lamar’s creative partner Dave Free. Now, Above The Line reports that Parker will direct the flick. Shooting was supposed to begin last spring but faced conflicts with Parker and Stone’s schedules.

However, hopes are high that they’ll begin shooting this year. Of course, many reacted negatively to this news, but only time will tell whether this is something truly great or a throwaway venture. Still, it’s Kendrick Lamar we’re talking about, and his most divisive projects have proven to cause a lot of meaningful conversation regardless. Perhaps “South Park” was one of the inspiration points for “Cartoons and Cereal,” and if he’s passionate about it, odds are that it’ll be an unencumbered vision.

Kendrick Lamar’s Movie With “South Park” Creators Slowly Unveils

On that note, maybe it isn’t so weird that Kung Fu Kenny tapped in with the Book of Mormon creators. After all, through ownership of a tech company, they provided the deep fake technology for Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5.” As far as other collaborators involved, Emmy Award-winning writer Vernon Chatman will handle script duties. Moreover, it’s not the first time he’ll work with a rapper, as he collaborated with Killer Mike and Snoop Dogg in the past.

Meanwhile, what really caused doubt in this project is the film’s outlined plot. “The film will depict the past and present coming to a head when a young black man who is interning as a slave reenactor at a living history museum discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his,” the description reads. While it sounds potentially insensitive and crude, it undeniably relates to a lot of concepts the Compton rapper spoke on before, especially on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. As such, it’s exciting to see him venture into risky territory yet again, and hopefully it actually results in something compelling and meaningful, whether in comedic or dramatic terms. Regardless, come back to HNHH for the latest updates on this story and more news on Kendrick Lamar.

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Kenan Thompson & Kel Mitchell Confirm “Good Burger 2”

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Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell have confirmed that a sequel to their 1997 comedy, Good Burger, is in the works at Paramount+. They made the announcement during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday night. Mitchell and Thompson previously reunited for a Good Burger sketch on The Tonight Show in 2015. The new film will begin production in May and debut on Paramount+ later in 2023.

“I can’t believe it’s been a little over 25 years since great customer service was born at Good Burger!” Thompson said in a statement. “Being a part of something so many generations of people have come to love has made me so proud and now to be back where it all began working on the sequel is surreal! Love performing with my brother Kel and can’t wait to show the fans what these characters have been up to since we last saw them.”

Kenan Thompson & Kel Mitchell In Character For “Good Burger”

Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson publicity portrait for the film ‘Good Burger’, 1997. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)

The official logline of the film explains that Thompson’s character, Dexter Reed, is “down on his luck after another one of his inventions fails. Ed (Mitchell) welcomes Dex back to Good Burger with open arms and gives him his old job back. With a new crew working at Good Burger, Dex devises a plan to get back on his feet but unfortunately puts the fate of Good Burger at risk once again.”

Mitchell said of the opportunity: “Ed is one of those timeless characters that has brought so much joy and laughter to fans, and it’s such a beautiful blessing to still be doing it after all these years. It’s super awesome to come back and continue the stories of Dex, Ed and Good Burger for both the people who grew up watching and their kids.”

The co-writers of the original film, Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert, will serve as both writers and executive producers on the sequel. Phil Traill will direct. Be on the lookout for Good Burger 2 to stream on Paramount+ later this year.

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Diddy Shares Interest in Buying Majority Stake of BET as Paramount Explores Sale

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs Rebrands Combs Enterprises to Combs Global as Business Portfolio Expands

Diddy is throwing his hat in the ring for ownership of BET. According to Variety, Diddy is the latest mogul, joining Tyler Perry and Byron Allen, wanting to buy a majority stake of BET Media Group, which Paramount Global is looking to sell.

BET Media Group includes BET, BET+, VH1, and BET’s production team, BET Studios.

A source detailed that Diddy is “exploring the opportunity to purchase BET as a part of his strategy to build a Black-owned global media powerhouse.”

Diddy is not yet in conversation with the network for purchasing, as negotiation talks have not opened with anyone.

Combs currently owns Revolt, which he created in 2013 and now reaches over 80 million households, with his digital arm having a larger reach.

Diddy reportedly desires to see BET once again being a Black-owned brand, which is “better for the business, for the culture and for building wealth in the Black community.”

The Wall Street Journal notes the possible sale is to enhance the Paramount + streaming service. “The decision to consider selling a majority stake of the assets, which cater primarily to Black audiences, is part of the entertainment giant’s effort to shore up resources to bolster its flagship Paramount+ streaming service and its advertiser-supported free streaming platform Pluto TV, some of the people said.”

Variety says that Perry is seeking to buy the network. The majority of the content that is available on BET and the BET+ streaming service is produced by Tyler Perry, who presently holds a minority ownership in the BET Network. The relationship between Perry and BET dates back to his debut feature, Diary Of A Mad Black Woman, which was co-financed by the network in 2005. In 2017, Perry and Paramount signed a long-term agreement that included a TV deal that started in 2020.

According to the same source, businessman, and television producer Byron Allen was reportedly considering purchasing BET from Paramount. Allen is “interested in owning BET, and he will be pursuing the acquisition of the network,” according to a spokesperson for him.

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Sanaa Lathan Releases Trailer For Directorial Debut “On The Come Up”

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on the come up

Actress Sanaa Lathan revealed the first trailer for her directorial debut Paramount’s adaptation “On The Come Up,” an adaptation of Angie Thomas’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, on Sunday (June 26) during the 2022 BET Awards. Coming soon to Paramount Plus, the network describes the coming-of-age film as “a love letter to hip hop.” The 30-second teaser follows the journey of film protagonist Bri — played by Jamila C Gray — as she pursues her aspirations in battle rap. Watch the teaser trailer below.

MORE: ICYMI: Sanaa Lathan To Co-Star & Direct “On the Come Up” With Method Man and Mike Epps

The film will see the 16-year-old phenom explore the world of battle rap and eclipse her in controversy as she chases her destiny of living up to her famous father. The film’s full synopsis from Paramount+ reads:

“Bri (Jamila C. Gray), a young Black girl, attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to do right by the legacy of her father—a rapper whose career was cut short by gang violence—and to help her family climb out of poverty. But when her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false gangsta role that the industry wants to impose upon her. Based on the New York Times #1 best-selling YA novel by Angie Thomas (who also penned ‘The Hate U Give’), ‘On The Come Up’ is punctuated by the comedic talents of Mike Epps, hip hop heroes like Method Man and Lil Yachty, and the lyrical prowess of Rapsody.”

MORE: ‘The Best Man’ Original Cast Returns for Limited TV Series Ordered By Peacock

Joining Lathan’s directorial debut is a stacked cast of buzzing actors and rap stars, including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Method Man, Mike Epps, GaTa (a.k.a. Davionte Ganter), Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr., and Michael Anthony Cooper Jr. Set to stream exclusively on Paramount+, the film’s release date is yet-to-be-announced.

In other news, Sanaa Lathan is set to star alongside returning cast members Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnutt, Terrence Howard and Regina Hall in the Peacock-ordered limited-series The Best Man: The Final Chapters, written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee.

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