BET Greenlights Miniseries Based on Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records

BET Networks is working on the original scripted miniseries Uptown, a three-part television event that will tell the comprehensive story of Andre Harrell’s iconic Uptown Records label.

Launched in 1986, Uptown Records played a 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, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Teddy Riley, Notorious B.I.G., Sean “Diddy” Combs and more. Each episode will take viewers from the label’s inception to current day.

Uptown is scheduled to premiere on BET in 2020. The series is executive produced by Jesse Collins (The New Edition Story, The Bobby Brown Story) for Jesse Collins Entertainment and 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) penned the scripts.

“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 of 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 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 Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.