Apple's first foray into original programming will star rapper and Beats Electronics co-founder Dr. Dre.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the cult technology giant's debut original, "Vital Signs," is a gritty semi-autobiographical drama featuring Andre Young, a.k.a. Dr. Dre.
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, the rap legend is also slated as an executive producer for the show. Young previously produced "Straight Outta Compton," the blockbuster biographical drama about his former hip hop group N.W.A.
Although Young is producing the drama, Apple is funding the show's production in its entirety. The relationship between the rap legend and tech giant dates back to 2014 when Beats Electronic was acquired by Apple for $3 billion.
The company is taking a page out of Netflix's book and will release all six 30-minute episodes of "Vital Signs" at once. The Hollywood Reporter expects Apple to roll out the series on Apple Music.
While analysts have long speculated that Apple might get into the original content, the tech giant is late in entering a highly contested field. Digital content frontrunners Amazon and Netflix have been aggressively investing in their original programming. Meanwhile, networks like HBO, Showtime and Cinemax have been increasing digital access to their premium content.
In January, Netflix's head of content acquisition, Ted Sarandos, said in an post-earnings call that the company had increased the percentage of spending allocated to original programming. In August, Hulu scored a deal with Epix after Netflix declined to renew its licensing agreement with the network.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that Apple has no studio or in-house production team at the moment.
Apple did not immediately return calls for comment.
Click here to read the full story in The Hollywood Reporter.