COMING IN 2020: BET creates mini-series that chronicles the rise of Andre Harrell's Uptown Records

BASED ON THE ICONIC RECORD LABEL UPTOWN RECORDS FROM
THE FOUNDER AND ENTERTAINMENT INNOVATOR ANDRE HARRELL

JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT AND HARRELL TO

EXECUTIVE PRODUCE THE SERIES

WRITERS CHARLES MURRAY, CARLITO RODRIGUEZ AND BARRY MICHAEL COOPERTO PEN THE SCRIPTS FOR THE THREE-NIGHT TELEVISION EVENT

New York, NY – BET Networks has announced the debut of the new original scripted miniseries “Uptown.” The three-part television event will tell the comprehensive story of Andre Harrell’s iconic New York City record label, Uptown Records. Launched in 1986, following a joint venture deal with MCA, Andre Harrell'sUptown Records played a vital role in the careers of some of the most influential voices in hip hop, soul and R&B, including Heavy D & The Boyz, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Father MC, Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams, Teddy Riley, Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Diddy” Combs and many more. Each gripping episode will take viewers from the label’s inception to current day, featuring the music and powerhouse hit-makers that helped mold what would come to be known as the Uptown 'sound’ and define a musical era that would impact generations to come. “Uptown” is scheduled to premiere on BET in 2020.

“We are proud to bring the story of Uptown Records to life and celebrate the indelible imprint the label has made on the industry, transforming the sound, face, and business of hip-hop and R&B,” said Scott Mills, President, BET Networks. “We look forward to partnering with music industry titan Andre Harrell and powerhouse producer Jesse Collins on the Uptown miniseries, bringing viewers premium content that reflects and celebrates Black excellence.”

“I am thrilled to partner with BET Networks and Jesse Collins Entertainment to share my story, the rise of Uptown Records and successful black entrepreneurship, and the management and cultivation of some of the most iconic artists to come out of the late 80s and 90s hip hop, R&B, and soul music era,” said Andre Harrell.

“Andre Harrell is a true visionary and culture creator. It is such an honor to tell the story of a label and an icon that not only gave us such great music, but was the blueprint for black excellence through entertainment,” said Jesse Collins, CEO, Jesse Collins Entertainment.

“Uptown” is executive produced by Jesse Collins (“The New Edition Story,” “The Bobby Brown Story”) for Jesse Collins Entertainment and Andre Harrell (Honey, “New York Undercover”). Writers Charles Murray (“Luke Cage,” “Sons of Anarchy”), Carlito Rodriguez (“Empire,” “The Leftovers”) and Barry Michael Cooper (New Jack City, “She’s Gotta Have It”) have penned the scripts.

Harrell had been in talks about a movie on the iconic Hip Hop and R&B label f the 1990s for a while.  For context, peep this 2017 interview on the Breakfast Club.