VH1'S ORIGINAL MOVIE "THE BREAKS" PREMIERES MONDAY, JANUARY 4 AT 9PM ET/PT

Seith Mann Writes, Directs and Executive Produces Film Inspired By Dan Charnas' Book on the History of the Hip Hop Industry "The Big Payback"

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 26, 2015 - VH1 has set the airdate for its next original movie "The Breaks," continuing a successful push into scripted programming for the channel. Set in New York City in 1990, "The Breaks" will premiere on Monday, January 4 at 9PM ET/PT.

"The Breaks" will chronicle the journey of Nikki (Afton Williamson), David (David Call) and DeeVee (Mack Wilds), three friends united by their love of hip-hop, as they work to make their big mark in the music industry. The film will travel viewers back to the summer of 1990 in New York City where the music industry's artists and hustlers intersect in the dance clubs and the street corners of the still crime-ridden city.

Nikki Jones is a brilliant recent grad who abandoned a scholarship to law school to pursue her dream of becoming a record exec. Her boyfriend, David Aaron, is the scrappy son of a legendary music producer who is unwilling to rest on his father's laurels and notorious reputation. DeeVee is an aspiring producer on the hunt to find the next big rapper on the come-up. Nikki fast talks her way into an internship at the premier hip-hop company, Fouray Entertainment and catches the eye of the label's infamous founder, Barry Fouray (Wood Harris) while David struggles at the city's top R&B radio station whose celebrity DJ refuses to program real hip-hop. Meanwhile, DeeVee returns to his roots in the Fort Greene projects to scout for talent and runs into Ahm (Antoine Harris), a drug dealer with a lyrical gift whose talent could bring them all to the next level. But they will soon discover lives can be broken as fast as legends can be born.

Inspired by the book by journalist Dan Charnas entitled "The Big Payback," a narrative history of the hip-hop business, "The Breaks" is written, directed and executive produced by Seith Mann ("The Wire," "The Walking Dead," "Homeland") with a story by Mann and Charnas. The cast is comprised of Wood Harris, Mack Wilds, Afton Williamson, David Call and Antoine Harris. Additional cast members include Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Evan Handler, Russell Hornsby and AFRO. Legendary New York music producer DJ Premier will compose the score and serve as executive music producer.

"The Breaks" is the third movie in VH1's recent successful push into scripted programming, following the 2013 record-breaking premiere of "CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story" and the success of last year's original movie, "Drumline: A New Beat."

Be sure to 'like' "The Breaks" on Facebook and follow @TheBreaksVH1 on Twitter and use #TheBreaks to join the conversation.

In addition to Seith Mann, Dan Charnas, Darren Goldberg of Atlantic Pictures, Maggie Malina and Bill Flanagan will serve as executive producers. Susan Levison will executive produce for VH1.

VH1 delivers the ultimate mash-up of music, pop culture and nostalgia for adults who still want to have fun. VH1 is available in 93 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, the VH1 App, VH1.com and @VH1, the hub for all things music and pop culture. Fans may also access current and retro VH1 programming via the VH1 App, the network's three-in-one video, new form content and co-viewing app, available for free on iOS and Android platforms. VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.