Smith’s company Westbrook Studios is launching a new slate of film and television projects with The Malar Group, founded by Sayan Navaratnam, and 215 is the first project to emerge from the partnership.
215 is based on Smith’s early life and his rise alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff as one of hip-hop’s first crossover acts. It follows a quick-witted teenage rapper, the DJ who is his musical other half, and the friends who helped fuel the dream. Together they chase a record deal, money and a way out as Philadelphia’s hip-hop scene takes off. Along the way they deal with label meetings, hometown loyalty, sudden fame and the friendships that hold them together, or almost don’t. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince were behind hot hits such as 1989’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and 1991’s “Summertime” and sold over 5 million records. Terence Carter, who runs television for Westbrook Studios, explained why this project matters so much to the company.
“Westbrook has always been focused on developing stories with strong characters, distinctive worlds and a clear point of view. 215 is especially meaningful to us because it draws from the rise of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and celebrates Philadelphia during such a defining era in the city’s late-’80s/early-’90s hip-hop scene.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will explore how these two friends navigated everything from industry pressure to personal loyalty. This partnership marks the first collaboration between Westbrook and The Malar Group, with both companies planning to develop more films and television projects together.