Issa Rae Says He Has Taken ‘More Steps’ to Be Independent in TV

Issa Rae is exploring the independent route in television following the cancellation of her show Rap Sh! on Max. In a conversation with Net-A-Porter, Rae revealed Black stories are “less of a priority.”


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“You’re seeing so many Black shows get canceled, you’re seeing so many executives – especially on the DEI side – get canned,” Rae said. “You’re seeing very clearly now that our stories are less of a priority.”

She added, ” I can’t force you to make my stuff. It’s made me take more steps to try to be independent down the line if I have to.”

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As reported by Deadline, the music comedy Rap Sh!t, executive produced by Insecure creator and star Issa Rae, and Hip Hop duo The City Girls, is ending on Max after two seasons. The show may have been collateral damage after challenges caused by the writer’s and actors’ strikes. The work stoppages caused significant barriers where the actors and producers could not promote the show’s sophomore season. That caused the season premiere to be pushed back to November. Even with the understandable problems from the strikes, Max let the show go to reduce their on-air slate.

Max’s official statement said, “We are extremely grateful to Issa Rae for creating Rap Sh!t, a one-of-a-kind comedy with compelling social commentary that reached viewers in a way only Issa’s talents can accomplish,” from the spokesperson. “A huge thank-you to Issa, showrunner Syreeta Singleton and the teams at Hoorae and 3 Arts Entertainment for introducing us to Shawna and Mia, a duo whose journey fans have invested in and who they have continued to root for through everything. We’ll never get Seduce and Scheme out of our heads, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”