Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition

Development

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the first production halt for the Love & Hip Hop franchise in six years, beginning in early 2020. Later that June, VH1 cut ties with Big Fish Entertainment following the cancellation of Live PD, which was dropped due to how footage of Javier Ambler’s killing was handled. By October 8, 2020, Mona Scott-Young announced that VH1 was reimagining the franchise for in-house production. Among the specials and limited series created during this time were Family Reunion, Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked, and Love & Hip Hop: It's a Love Thing.

Overview and casting

The first season of Family Reunion brought together cast members from across the franchise. From Love & Hip Hop: New York came Yandy Smith-Harris, who once managed Jim Jones, along with her husband Mendeecees Harris and his mother Judy Harris. Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta contributed Karlie Redd, Yung Joc, Lil Scrappy, his wife Adiz "Bambi" Benson, his mother Momma Dee, his baby mama Erica Dixon, and beauty shop owner Sierra Gates. Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood was represented by Ray J, Lil' Fizz, Omarion’s baby mama Apryl Jones, and Paris Phillips, who had worked as K. Michelle’s assistant.

Love & Hip Hop: Miami sent Trina, Trick Daddy, and his ex-wife Joy Young. The season also featured Trick’s 19-year-old son Jayden Young, Joc’s 20-year-old son Amoni Robinson, and Karlie’s 26-year-old daughter Jasmine Ellis. Guest appearances included Tamika D. Mallory, a social justice leader and co-founder of Until Freedom, and hip-hop artist and activist Mysonne.

The second season drew from the same cities. Love & Hip Hop: New York provided Rich Dollaz, who managed Olivia, Juelz Santana and his wife Kimbella Vanderhee, Peter Gunz and his baby mothers Amina Buddafly and Tara Wallace, Joe Budden’s baby mama Cyn Santana, producer Cisco Rosado, and stylist Jonathan Fernandez. Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta supplied Mimi Faust and her baby daddy Stevie J, Erica Mena, Shekinah Jo Anderson (formerly best friends with Tiny Harris), and Safaree Samuels.

Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood contributed Brooke Valentine and her husband Marcus Black, Daniel "Booby" Gibson, stylist Zellswag, and Yo-Yo. Love & Hip Hop: Miami added Bobby Lytes, Trina’s cousin. Paris Phillips from Hollywood also returned from the previous season.