BET’s HUSTLE IN BROOKLYN: ReviewBy Dominga Martin
October 16, 2018
New Brooklyn is the backdrop for BET’s new reality show “Hustle in Brooklyn.”
BK, which boasts as the creative capitol of the world — with a reputation to back it up, is known for it’s anthems: “Where Brooklyn At?” and “Is Brooklyn in the House?!” Anthems which resonate from across the globe. Dreamers from all walks of life migrate to Brooklyn to “make it” in a city that still stands firm on the fact — that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
Although this show targets millennials, it is the energy and the hunger of young twenty-something’s who come to New York City every year hoping to launch their dreams — hustling like those before them to become the next big thing. And while times have changed, including the borough which has been gentrified, and has changed drastically from the days of Biggie, Jay-Z, Mos Def or the come-up of Foxy Brown and Lil’ Kim, sometimes you can still feel the hustle. For those of us who have lived in Brooklyn before it became “The New Manhattan” the hustle here has dried up and the energy isn’t the same. These new cast members who are working in the industry VIA music, fashion or entertainment hope to ignite what this borough is known for — making you.
Viewers are introduced to cast members who live in the borough and are striving to put their businesses or names on the map — or to be something other than “insta famous” like Dani, who finds herself on the losing end of a love-triangle with Darnell — a rising producer who is recently engaged.
Watching the first episode I wished someone would pull Dani aside and help her to understand her worth. Side chick never works…side chicks only work in a deficit. I was glad to see her friend Azia, a young woman with dreams of being a rapper try to gather Dani’s pieces and pull her together before she jeopardizes Azia’s chance to work with Darnell in the studio, along with his partner Santos, who is a brand manager also known as “”the plug” because he can connect the dots with anybody in the industry. Santos, who got his skin in the game as road manager for singer Ne-Yo now has the opportunity to focus on his brand management company The 82 Group — bringing Azia to the table as a new artist.
“I want to change the narrative and show how us young black folks are being portrayed. I want to highlight the executive side.” Santos states.
He also added; “A traditional meeting does not have to be in an office anymore, it can be in a coffee shop…we can close a deal walking down the street. We want to change the concept and the idea that a business meeting has to be in an office. It doesn’t have to be in an office…it can be in a club, we can talk about a sponsorship situation…and people need to know that.”
I ask if the show is like an interactive Shark Tank and he responds: “Yes, with more flava!”
Although each cast member says Hustle In Brooklyn focuses more on businesses and stands apart from a majority of reality shows today by not focusing on the drama, first episode in, we realize there’s no reality without conflict.
Darnell who is from Brooklyn originally and former intern at Def Jam, felt as if he gave too much away in our interview, yet he had this to add: “Hustle in Brooklyn doesn’t only highlight the hustle, but it highlights the struggle. And me? I was 100% authentic. I didn’t hold anything back, and my fiancé and son…I really appreciate her because I put her in an uncomfortable position with this show and that’s why my story means a lot (I think) to anyone aspiring to be in this industry that has a family.”
While the cast members were not as close as family coming in, a few have connected the dots with the other — for example: “The Twins” (TP and Perks) who host a party series in Brooklyn “Blame the Twins” brought in Eva, a bartender and striving comedienne.
Ivy, who is the narrator of the show also works for EOne Entertainment, where rising publicist Alicia is trying to get a deal for a new artist she’s pitching “Baggy Large”. Ivy is also a bit old school as we find ourselves intrigued by her need of a traditional courtship from cast member Jesse.
While all the cast members seem to interact and mingle at social gatherings, the two cast mates we have yet to meet on episode one are Randy and Marco, who I’d go out on a limb and say are the ones to watch. While Marco has a standard 9-5 and Randy is a model, they are a couple: “This whole thing is bigger than us,” says Marco and continues; “We don’t want to represent all of the LGBT (plus) community but we just want to show a different shade of what gay is, and what gay can be.”
Randy adds: “And gay in the urban, and hip hop community is just so taboo, we just wanted to hit it and have the courage to put our lives out there and our relationship.”
Authenticity was a running theme when speaking with the talent, who say that they are living in their truth. Whether you love it or hate it, these hustlers are taking viewers into their world, the Brooklyn way.
“What I love about this show is it’s going to give you a lot of answers to questions that young people have all across the world.” Says Santos.
Hustle in Brooklyn is a 9 episode reality show airing on BET, October 16th.
