Love & Hip Hop: New York

Development

In 2006, rapper Jim Jones pitched a reality show to VH1. Senior vice president Jim Ackerman connected him with producers Stefan Springman and Toby Barraud from Eastern TV. Jones struggled with the demanding schedule and the murder of a friend, which led to violent outbursts against the production team. These conflicts became the show's focus, highlighting the clash between the gangsta rapper and the "honky" TV producers.

An 11-minute pilot, Keeping Up with the Joneses, featured Jones, his girlfriend Chrissy Lampkin, and his mother Nancy. VH1 liked it but worried viewers wouldn't stay engaged. Jones's manager, Yandy Smith, then brought in Mona Scott-Young, her former boss at Violator, to rework the concept. The show shifted to Lampkin and her friends, inspired by female ensemble reality series.

The original cast included Lampkin, Olivia Longott, Mashonda Tifrere, and Misa Hylton-Brim, pitched as a "black version of Sex and the City." Hylton was later replaced by Emily Bustamante, and Mashonda moved to a supporting role at her request. Somaya Reece joined late to fill that spot. Joe Budden, Reece's ex, turned down an offer to appear in season one. The series was first announced in April 2010 as Diary of a Hip Hop Girlfriend, and it premiered on March 6, 2011.

Series synopsis

Love & Hip Hop: New York revolves around the everyday lives of women working in the male-dominated world of hip hop. The first two seasons focus on the personal and professional struggles of four women: two girlfriends of famous rappers and two aspiring recording artists. Subsequent seasons expanded to include talent managers, producers, DJs, radio personalities, stylists, video vixens, glamour models, and groupies. The show has a sprawling supporting cast of mostly men in the industry who share similar screen time and storyline focus.

The first season starred Chrissy Lampkin, Emily Bustamante, Olivia Longott, and Somaya Reece, with supporting roles for Jim Jones, Nancy Jones, Maurice Aguilar, and Rich Dollaz. Mashonda appeared in a minor supporting role. All main cast members returned for season two, joined by Kimbella Vanderhee and Yandy Smith, with Teairra Marí and Erica Mena in supporting roles. Season three saw major cast changes after the reunion special, where original cast members accused producers of manipulating storylines.

Chrissy Lampkin and Jim Jones left for their spin-off Chrissy & Mr. Jones, along with Emily Bustamante and Nancy Jones. Somaya Reece quit, and Olivia Longott's role was diminished.

Rich Dollaz and Yandy Smith remained, with Yandy taking over as lead. Erica Mena was promoted to main cast, joined by Winter Ramos, Tahiry Jose, Raqi Thunda, Jen the Pen, and Rashidah Ali. Joe Budden, Mendeecees Harris, Consequence, and Lore'l appeared in supporting roles.

Reception

The first season, focusing on women's struggles in the male-dominated hip hop industry, initially received positive critical response. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times praised the show's deconstruction of rappers' public image and its production values, but criticized "needless filler drama" between Lampkin and Reece, a criticism shared by others who felt the "endless catty arguments and trashy behavior" detracted from the message and was too derivative of The Real Housewives franchise.

Subsequent seasons, particularly Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, have been overshadowed by criticism and controversy, with the franchise referred to as "ratchet TV" for its negative and stereotypical portrayal of black women and focus on dysfunctional relationships, materialism, hyper-sexuality, and violence. Series creator Mona Scott-Young has been singled out for allegedly exploiting black women for profit. Scott-Young has defended the show, stating it was not created to represent all African-Americans and that the depicted events occur within that specific world.

Despite criticism, the franchise has dominated ratings and been described as "riveting", "addictive", "bawdy and hilarious", and a "guilty pleasure". In 2014, Complex named Joe Budden, Chrissy Lampkin, and Mama Jones among the greatest VH1 reality stars. The show is often criticized for fabricating storylines; Scott-Young has denied this, though she admitted the show stages reactions to past events.

Broadcast history

Love & Hip Hop's first season aired from March 6, 2011, and was expanded from eight to nine episodes to include a reunion on May 16, 2011. The series was renewed for a second season on May 25, 2011, premiering November 14, 2011. The third season, now titled Love & Hip Hop: New York, premiered January 7, 2013, with a nearly whole new cast. On October 10, 2013, VH1 announced a fourth season premiering October 28, 2013, back-to-back with Chrissy & Mr. Jones season two.

The fifth season premiered December 15, 2014; the sixth on December 14, 2015; the seventh on November 21, 2016; the eighth on October 30, 2017; the ninth on November 26, 2018; and the tenth on December 16, 2019. Spin-offs include Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (June 18, 2012), Chrissy & Mr. Jones (announced September 7, 2012), and Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood (September 15, 2014). Jim's mother Nancy received a web series, Mama Jones' World. K. Michelle joined in season four to set up her own spin-off, K. Michelle: My Life, which premiered November 3, 2014. Her future co-stars Paris Phillips and Tracie Renee appeared as guest stars.

Did You Know?

• The original presentation tape was titled Keeping Up with the Joneses.
• Episodes in the first season run 21–24 minutes; subsequent seasons run 41–44 minutes.