HBO Max has finally dropped the trailer for Issa Rae’s upcoming comedy, “RAP SH!T.”
The series follows Shawna, played by Aida Osman and Mia (KaMillion), two estranged high school friends from the 305 who reunite to form a rap group in their hometown of Miami, Deadline reports.
Rae’s shows have been primarily based in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
“Because the show is based in Miami, we were looking for authenticity first and foremost. When KaMillion came onscreen, the first thing she said in her video audition was, ‘I am M.I.A. and M.I.A. is me,’ in her little Florida accent. Then, of course, seeing her perform, we knew we found [Mia]. She embodied everything that we’re looking for in this character,” Rae told Harper’s Bazaar. “She’s actually a rapper in real life, which scared me a little bit at first, because I wanted Mia to be her own person. I don’t want people to necessarily look at her and have it all feel familiar.”
Rae’s love of hip-hop was a huge part of her breakout series, “Insecure.” Issa Dee’s rap dreams (especially her rap monologues in the bathroom mirror) were beloved by her fans.
“I think this is just such a unique time in hip-hop, especially when it comes to female rappers, because there’s such an abundance, and it doesn’t feel like they’re all in competition with each other. I’m a child of the ’90s, and there used to always be a tendency to put two women against one another,” Rae told the publication. “It feels like we’re in an era where there’s such a supportive environment now because of that abundance. All of that, combined with just my own story of coming up, became the next story that I wanted to tell.”
The show is executive produced by Issa Rae and showrunner Syreeta Singleton as well as Montrel McKay for HOORAE, Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky for 3 Arts Entertainment, and Deniese Davis.
Yung Miami and JT of City Girls serve as co-executive producers, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas for Quality Control Films and Sara Rastogi for HOORAE.
