HBO is joining creative
forces with film feature writer Michael Elliot ("Like Mike") and hip-hop
veteran Andre Harrell to produce a one-hour drama series about the fast-paced
life of a rap mogul.
"Fabulous," currently in developmental stages, tracks
the life of a multimillionaire and his close friends into the seedy world of
hip-hop and business. The protagonist is based on real-life hip-hop impresarios
like Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Damon Dash, according to Elliot.
"What I wanted to do is create a one hour drama that would show the complicated
world and the edge, as well as the jet set of the Hip-Hop entrepreneur ala Russell
Simmons, Sean Combs, Jay-Z, Dame Dash, myself," Harrell told AllHipHop.com
"People who are from an inner-city environment who are involved in a business
that requires you to stay on a cutting edge, inner-city level of taste."
Elliot added that many of the personalities come from a street
background and are now working in the music industry.
"The characters are going to deal with managers who’ve
spent eight years in jail but are now producing some of the hottest acts in
rap," Elliot told Variety, who will write and executive produce the show
along with Harrell, Stephanie Davis, Steven Greener and Howard Klein.
Elliot is also on board for the feature "Just Wright,"
starring Queen Latifah.
In 2003, Harrell produced the movie "Honey" about
a hip-hop dancer, starring Jessica Alba with a cameo by Missy Elliott.
Harrell was active early in hip-hop as a member of the pioneering
group Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He later founded Uptown Records in 1987, which
launched the careers of Heavy D., Mary J. Blige, Jodeci and fellow mogul Sean
"Puffy" Combs.
In 1996 at the age of 34, Harrell took over Motown, earning
a reported $20 million per year. In 2001, He founded the Nu America label with
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
Last year, Harrell
and actor Michael Rapaport announced a partnership with MTV Films to produce
a movie set in the world of custom car shops, based off the success of the hit
show "Pimp My Ride."
