For two decades Hip-Hop has known Irv Gotti as record producer and discoverer of the likes of Ja Rule, Ashanti and Llyod. After taking a step back from music for a few years, the Murder Inc. founder took a new role as content creator, director, script writer and TV producer. Spending years developing and pitching his idea for a television show, he secured a deal with BET for "Tales" and began production earlier this year.
BET ended the 2017 BET Awards weekend festivities, premiering the first episode of "Tales" before cast members, BET execs Debra Lee (CEO) and Connie Orlando (SVP Specials, Music Programming & New/Interim Programming Chief), and invited guest. The event was held in West Hollywood's The DGA Theater.
"Tales" cast Jennifer Freeman, Matthew Noszka, Nafessa Williams, Keith Powers, Woody McClain, Michelle Hayden, Michelle Mitchenor, Bre-Z, Tyrin Turner and Chet Hanks accompanied Irv Gotti to screen the series first episode "F*ck The Police." Real 92.3's DJ Damage, Kyla Pratt, Christian Combs and Elijah Kelly were amongst some of the evenings guest. Irv Gotti and music exec Kevin Liles immediately followed the screening with a discussion dissecting the creative and business process from the birth of "Tales" to preparing for its national airing.
"Tales" is an anthology series, inspired by popular Hip-Hop songs vamped into a scripted one-hour visual drama. Each episode is written, directed and acted by fresh faces. "Tales" add's a cinematographic flare to NWA's "F*ck The Police," Meek Mill's "Cold Hearted," The Notorious BIG's "I Got A Story To Tell," and Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen," while referencing up-to-date events and modern society. "Tales" airs Tuesdays 8P/7C on BET.
CONVERSATION