Plot Synopsis

A group of women are connected to hip hop through family, the men they love, or their own artistic struggle, and now they are trying to claim their own place on the New York hip-hop scene. The five women in Season 1 were: Emily Bustamante, the girlfriend of rapper Fabolous and mother to their child, who is a fashion designer launching her own clothing line, "Emily B"; Chrissy Lampkin, the girlfriend of rapper Jim Jones, who is Jones' stylist as well as an interior decorator; Olivia Longott, the former first lady of G-Unit, who is now finding her new identity in R&B; Mashonda Tifrere, the ex-wife of producer Swizz Beatz, who is pursuing a career in film writing and producing after her many years in the music industry; and Somaya 'Boss' Reece, the #1 Latin music artist on MySpace, who is now just starting her music, modeling and acting career.

Season 3, which premiered on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1, welcomed back these women from the previous season: Olivia Longott, the former first lady of G-Unit, who is back working on her new album and trying to come to peace with her manager Rich dating Erica Mena; Erica Mena, who exploded onto the scene last season and is now continuing to work on her career with manager and new boyfriend, Rich Dollaz; and Yandy Smith, who welcomed a baby boy with her boyfriend, Mendeecees Harris, and is now navigating the waters of commitment and family. Plus, these new faces joined in Season 3: Tahiry Jose, a charismatic urban model, who is best known for her rapid-fire sarcasm as well as her painful and very public break-up with Joe Budden; Joe Budden, a fierce free-styling artist, who is widely considered one of hip hop's most gifted lyricists -- but also known for posting about his very public relationships and break-ups online; Raqi Thunda, a radio personality, who insists she is just long-time friends with Joe Budden -- but Joe's ex, Tahiry, doesn't see it that way; Jen 'The Pen' Bayer, known for dishing up gossip with DJ Whoo Kid and The Hot Boyz of Chicago, who has spent the past year raising Caiden, her son with NYC rapper Consequence; Consequence, the established rapper, who has been in a five-year relationship with Jen Bayer and their one-year-old son, Caiden, has left the couple bickering about how to raise the child based on differing cultural and religious beliefs; Winter Ramos, former assistant to rapper Fabolous, who brielfy appeared in Season 2 but is making her name in hip-hop history as she writes a tell-all book on her roster of famous ex-boyfriends; and Rashidah Ali (aka Blinged Out Bombshell), who most known for being a shoe consultant to the stars and is currently working on launching her own shoe line.

The fourth season of LOVE & HIP HOP premiered on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1. This series welcomed back the following women in Season 4: Tahiry Jose, who is back together with Joe Budden but finding out that it isn't always easy, even when both people want the same things; Erica Mena, who is more determined than ever to find success in love and career -- with or without former manager/lover Rich Dollaz; and Yandy Smith, who welcomed a new baby at the end of last season and is focusing on her career and being a single mom, as she waits to hear Mendeecees' fate while he awaits his trial. Atlanta favorite K. Michelle joins the cast for Season 4, after relocating from the ATL to NYC to take the music scene by storm. She's joined by other new cast members: Erica Jean, who shares a son with rapper Saigon but wants more out of the relationship with the father of her child; and Tara Wallace and Amina Buddafly, who are in a love triangle with Peter Gunz.

Season 5 of LOVE & HIP HOP (now called LOVE & HIP HOP: NEW YORK) premiered on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1, with Yandy Smith, Mendeecees, Peter Gunz, Amina, Tara, Erica Mena, Cyn Santana and Rich Dollaz returning. New cast members include: Chink Santana, a talented music producer, who has worked with artists such as Ashanti and Keyshia Cole and whose girlfriend, Chrissy Crastanda, would like to solidify their relationship; Chrissy Crastanda, a NYC socialite and owner of a modeling agency, who is ready to start a family with her boyfriend Chink but his other commitments and delayed divorce are putting her wishes on hold; Cisco Rosado, a well-known producer having worked with Tank, Jim Jones and Uncle Murder, whose "don't ask, don't tell" relationship with his girlfriend Diamond Strawberry takes a turn for the worst; Diamond Strawberry, daughter of New York Mets outfielder Daryl Strawberry, who moved to NY from L.A. to start her career as a model and build her relationship with her boyfriend Cisco but finds out her boyfriend has betrayed her; and Precious Paris, formerly signed to 50 cent's label G-UNIT and now with Dollaz Unlimited, who is disappointed to find out that she may be sharing her spotlight when another artist is added to her manager's roster.

Season 6 of LOVE & HIP HOP: NEW YORK premiered on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1, immediately following an all-day marathon (6am-8pm) of encore episodes. Joining series fan favorites are a group of fresh, talented female artists trying to make it big in the city. With personalities as strong as their rhymes, Mariah Lyn, Young B, and SexxyLexxy and MissMoeMoney from the rap duo BBOD battle to make themselves heard. With these girls dropping managers more often than mics, can LOVE & HIP HOP veteran Rah Ali navigate her new career as a music manager and keep these girls out of trouble? Veterans Yandy Smith and Mendeecees Harris, who recently tied the knot on VH1's LOVE & HIP HOP LIVE: THE WEDDING special, and welcomed their daughter Skylar. This season, it's back to business for the newlyweds and time to focus on finding a bigger place to live and blending their families. Yandy is ready to get back to managing artists and focus on her career but with Mendeecees' impending legal issues, their newly wedded bliss may not last long. Since her recent release from prison, it's fresh onto the LOVE & HIP HOP scene for rap superstar Remy Ma and her ride-or-die rapper husband Papoose, as Remy navigates through life on the outside and reclaims her crown as 'Queen of NY' -- all while getting ready for a long-awaited official walk down the aisle. Founding member of the "Creep Squad," Rich Dollaz finds himself contending with the newest lady of the house -- his daughter. Rich learns that when it comes to his number one girl, he has no control. Peter Gunz attempts to bring his two families together under the same roof, but will he finally be able to have his cake and eat it too? Or will Tara and Amina shatter the love triangle once and for all? Cisco Rosado is now single and on the prowl. Mixing business with pleasure never ends well but which new, female talent will he choose to produce and who will have him ready to get down on one knee? Newcomer DJ Self from New York radio station Power 105.1 bursts into LOVE & HIP HOP as we follow his relationship with Yorma, one of the hottest dancers in New York City, and their tangled web of drama. Instagram sensation Cardi B. leaps from the pages of IG to the small screen with a bang, as she entangles with her fellow cast members.

The seventh season of LOVE & HIP HOP: NEW YORK premiered on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1, immediately following an eight-hour marathon (Noon-8pm) of encore episodes. In the season opener, "All The Way Up," Cardi B's newfound fame causes new problems, Yandy struggles to keep the family together, and Juelz Santana hopes Kimbella will settle her beef with a longtime friend. This season, Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, best known for her work on HBO's THE WIRE, and girlfriend J. Adrienne join the cast and are ready to take NYC by storm. Will J's jealousy issues and Snoop's aggressive fans get in the way of their happy ever after? Plus, last season fans sympathized with Yandy Smith-Harris as she said a tearful goodbye to her husband, Mendeecees. This season follows her as she works to keep the family together after Mendeecees' exes Samantha Wallace and Erika DeShazo join the cast. Juju, author and girlfriend of rapper Cam'ron, steps onto the scene looking to shake things up. Hot 97's DJ Drewski and his fitness guru girlfriend Sky Landish make their LOVE & HIP HOP debut as an interracial couple learning to balance work and play in the hip hop industry. Meanwhile, Bianca finds herself attracted to Drewski and struggles to respect the boundaries of his relationship with Sky.

Season 8 of LOVE & HIP HOP: NEW YORK premiered on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1, immediately following a ten-hour marathon (10am-8pm) of encore episodes. Fresh off her win at the BET Awards as Best Female Artist and with her position in the hip hop game solidified, Remy's mission is to push unity for women in hip hop and show an overly-masculine world that women can have and do it all. She is ready to get the IVF process started and give Papoose the baby he's been asking for. But will their busy schedules get in the way of the couple's dream to start a family? The career driven Yandy Smith-Harris has been holding down her family while her man Mendeecees is in prison. As Yandy gears up to reignite her EGL brand and get back to the grind, Mendeecees struggles with his wife giving her all to a very demanding career while he languishes in prison awaiting a potential 2018 release. Will their trust be broken when he starts to overstep his boundaries? Always an open book, popular hip hop singer Lil Mo has joined the cast with her new husband, gold medal winning boxer & Welterweight champ Karl Dargan. With over two decades in the music industry, Mo is hard at work on her sixth solo album while juggling her third marriage and blended family. But will the cheating rumors floating around threaten the couple's happily ever after? Safaree returns to New York ready to bring his talents back to the city that raised him and be with his family. Focusing all of his energy on the launch of his coconut oil and men's boxer brief line, he's ready to get down to business and possibly find a new fling. Newcomer Anais is already a star in the Latin market, but the over-the-top, sexy Dominican singer is ready to make her debut on the New York scene. Managed by powerful hip hop attorney Navarro Gray and his girlfriend Ashley Diaz, Anais poses a threat to any relationship. Despite her marriage to an older man, she can't hide her flirtatious ways. Harlem rapper Jaquae been making a name for himself with catchy singles and noteworthy collaborations with some of hip hop's heavyweights. While still getting adjusted to the newfound fame that comes with success, he's hooked up with former video vixen Sophia Body -- a girl with an infamous dating history. Will his friends ever support his new romantic relationship or is the couple in for a bumpy ride? The talented Bianca Bonnie is back, but continues to be sidetracked by her personal struggles and a slick tongue. How will she respond when another young, hungry female rapper, Brittney Taylor who is tied to her past, tries to take her spot? How will they react when they finally run into each other after their last tense encounter? Following her breakup with her J. Adrienne last year, Snoop hopes to settle down with the right woman and start a family soon. While she looks for a new flame, building her label Gorgeous Gangster Records remains her top priority. After a recent health scare earlier this year, Rich Dollaz has changed his outlook on life and is now ready to put 100% of his focus back into Dollaz Unlimited. After the success of her book "Secrets of a Jewel," Juju plans to turn it into a play and recruit some of her fellow LOVE & HIP HOP cast mates to star in it. From the streets to the clubs, Power 105.1's DJ Self is making moves and providing the soundtrack for a good time. Looking to expand his Gwinin Entertainment empire, DJ Self recently added new artist Dreamdoll to his talent roster. Already an artist under Gwinin Entertainment, MariahLynn is gearing up for the release of more music but will her new boyfriend James R become more of a distraction? Image consultant Jonathan Fernandez began his career at age 16 working with the biggest names in the industry. Now starting his own makeup line, By Jonathan Cosmetics, he returns to his hometown of New York to reunite with old friends and explore his new relationship with up and coming R&B singer Trent Crews.

The ninth season of LOVE & HIP HOP: NEW YORK premiered on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT on VH1, immediately following an all-day marathon (6am-8pm) of encore episodes. After a four year hiatus, fan favorites Joe Budden and Cyn Santana return, alongside several newcomers and series vets who are climbing their way to the top in the city that never sleeps. From marriage woes and legal battles to career resets and new beginnings, the drama returns to the place it all began. In the season opener, "Arrested Development," Kimbella and Juelz Santana adjust to their new normal as Juelz' case takes a major step forward; Maino relives a traumatic incident from the past; Alexis Skyy launches her music career on the same label as the estranged father of her child.

LOVE & HIP HOP: NEW YORK returned for its tenth season on Monday, December 16, 2019 from 8-10pm ET/PT, as VH1 debuted back-to-back new episodes. This season marks the homecoming of original vets alongside fan-favorite cast members. Chrissy Lampkin returns to N.Y.C. to work on both her business endeavors and relationship with her longtime fiance. In order to fully move forward, she realizes there are amends she must make with her past. Remy Ma wants it all! She's balancing motherhood, co-hosting "State of the Culture" with Joe Budden and is determined to finally drop her album. With Remy trying to juggle everything, Papoose has to step up for full-time daddy duty. Can this Black Love power couple prove that you can have both a successful career and family? Erica Mena is back in N.Y.C. to plan her fairytale wedding to Safaree Samuels and prepare for the arrival of their first child. But when their past relationships with other cast members begin to interfere, will this couple be able to maintain their happily ever after? Still picking up the pieces of their shattered relationship, Joe Budden and Cyn Santana struggle to move on but Joe's past transgressions threaten their attempts to find peace. Kimbella is holding it down as a single mom of four now that her husband Juelz Santana began his prison sentence. She is focused on keeping her family, and his music legacy, afloat while he's away. Yandy Smith-Harris' business is booming since her days as an assistant, but will her path to success hit a roadblock with Chrissy's return to the Big Apple? With her husband Mendeecees in prison for the last few years, Yandy is ready for their family to reunite, but will his homecoming tear apart the family she's built? Rich Dollaz, Tahiry Jose, Olivia Longott, Somaya Reece, Juju, Jonathan Fernandez are also set to appear this season, along with newcomers Phresher and Jennaske.
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On Monday, February 1, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT, VH1 premiered "It's a Love Thing," a one-hour special. Everyone's favorite LHH couples and friends of the franchise join hosts Chris and Vanessa Spencer to talk sex, romance, marriage and Black Love, while looking back at the sweetest, sexiest, most emotional moments in LHH history.