New Orleans rap
mogul Master P. has announced his own reality show America’s Next Hip-Hop
Stars, which will offer the next big rapper and group a $50,000 recording
deal.
According to Master
P., born Percy Miller, twelve solo artists and six groups will perform various
Hip-Hop songs to be critiqued by a panel of celebrity judges, which includes
Snoop Dogg, Paul Wall, Free of 106 & Park and Master P.’s son, Romeo.
"When you
look at what’s going on the big shows out here, Hip-Hop is influencing a lot
of this stuff," Master P told AllHipHop.com. "Even the show I did
[Dancing with The Stars], the ratings is so big on this stuff. I was
one of the highest rated entertainers on that show and it was a cross over show.
Hip-Hop is influencing the game. I wanna do it to show people that we [are]
growing in Hip-Hop. There’s so many talented people, we don’t have to wait around
for them to expose us.
Master P. will
serve as America’s Next Hip-Hop Stars’ host and a celebrity DJ will be
featured each week, along with a performance by a well known Hip-Hop artist
or group.
While the show
does not have a home on the small screen as of press time, Master P. said negotiations
are underway to launch the show on a major network or a cable/pay per view channel.
"I’ve been
in negotiations since last week," Master P. continued. "It’s going
to be a great show. We have an exciting cast of judges. A lot of things are
catered to Hip-Hop, you got a bunch of these companies marketing their brands.
There’s a lot of great things happening in Hip-Hop and this can show the corporate
world that we are growing and maturing in Hip-Hop."
To launch the show,
the mogul said he was planning a "Set It Off" benefit concert through
his nonprofit organization Team Rescue One, to raise AIDS awareness and to help
with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city of New Orleans.
"This is a
way that America can see the untapped talent out there and vote for it,"
Master P. said of the show. "Right now with the way Hip-Hop is going, a
lot of people are giving up. Everybody can’t afford a video and that stuff to
get exposure and this show will help find that talent. I think this is something
for our culture that everyone can respect and appreciate and we will make a
lot of people’s careers."