The trailer for VH1’s upcoming reality show Love & Hip-Hop has been making rounds over the last 24 hours. Due to VH1’s track record of brain cell-decaying material like Flavor of Love and I Love New York, many aren’t expecting much from this latest show combining the conflicted significant others of Jim Jones and Fabolous with models (Somaya Reece) and artists trying to re-establish their careers (Mashonda, Olivia). But could VH1 surprise everyone and take a more insightful approach?
It’s no secret that the Hip-Hop industry is a male-dominated field. In an already highly difficult profession, there’s extra pressure on women who are trying to make it. And if you’ve already been saddled with a negative image, whether deserved or not, it’s almost impossible to climb out of it and make a comeback. The show appears to touch on that at least briefly in the case of Olivia, who’s struggling to get noticed after two failed major label deals. Because of her notoriety as an “internet model” via her Myspace days, Somaya Reece is frustrated that she’s not taken seriously as an artist. She’s now in an ironic battle to break away from what initially made her famous.
If VH1 focuses on the above industry issues, it could have a decent show. We already know the drama is in place; you don’t put that many women together and not have the claws come out.
It’s still probably wishful thinking on my part based on how well they normally do their Hip-Hop Honors tributes. Asking them to go TVOne style on their other programming probably isn’t happening.
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