Apparently, UPN was trying to keep this on the "hush-hush" but it's official:
UPN reportedly has axed their critically acclaimed Hip-Hop family-drama Platinum. "Its not coming back next year," said a rep for the network. "The ratings were the same as Haunted was when we cancelled it last year." (Haunted was UPN's short-lived drama series that aired for a couple weeks in October and abruptly cancelled.) The show, written and produced by screenwriter-author John Ridley (Three Kings and Undercover Brother), supposedly was an exaggerated take on the rap music industry. The storyline centered on two dueling brothers – Jackson and Grady Ellis (played actor Jason George and Onyx rhymer Sticky Fingaz, respectively) – and their family as they try to manage an indie label together in the competitive rap game. When Platinum debut in April, the show had its defenders and its critics. Despite scoring huge Nielsen ratings and rave reviews, some questioned its authenticity as it relates to Hip-Hop.
Among the couch potatoes who defended the show's outrageous story lines was none other than Hip-Hop impresario Russell Simmons. "[The show] is dope," he said. "I don't even watch TV, but [when] I saw that shit [I] was amazed." Meanwhile, critics like community activist Najee Ali of Project Islamic H.O.P.E. wanted to boycott the show because it was promoting "the worst elements in Hip-Hop." "[The producers] of Platinum have stated that there intentions are to keep it real," Najee said in his April 16 statement after the show's inaugural premiere. "The only thing they have kept real is the glorification of violence and brutality that Hip-Hop needs to move away from." Upon hearing the news that UPN didn't renew the drama for the fall season, Najee had mixed emotions: "We had a chance to have a national voice with Platinum," he said. "I am disappointed [that the series was cancelled] but we are vindicated."
Even one of Platinum's producers Kevin Bray received flack during the show's six-episode run on UPN. The veteran video-director was attacked by Hip-Hoppers for his asinine comments he made during the promotional junket for Platinum. Kevin was quoted by a writer where he reportedly credited Eminem for making Hip-Hop more palatable to audiences. "Thanks to [Em], Hip-Hop is an art form that's been made accessible to middle America, to every race and class of people," Kevin reportedly said in an interview.
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