NEWS: JAY Z TEAMS UP W/ HOLLYWOOD ICON FOR NEW TV COMEDY

 

Rap mogul Jay Z continues to make headlines fresh into 2014 by reportedly teaming up with Hollywood actor Will Smith for an upcoming electronic music comedy.

If all goes accordingly, Jigga and Big Willy will link with Scottish producer DJ Calvin Harris for an HBO series.

Jay and Smith are co-producers of "Higher," a half-hour series currently in development at HBO. While it's without a plot, cast members, a director, or even an air date, Trainspotting authorIrvine Welsh is currently penning the script alongside Harris. (Here's hoping there's plenty of storylines about rival DJs competing over the same Icelandic singer for their remix, or somebody mixing up the molly with Tic-Tacs during the visit of some famous label rep). In addition to HOV, Smith, and Harris, the show will be executive produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Three Six Zero Group. (Consequence of Sound)

The on-screen actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, is also onboardwith the project.

Variety has confirmed that HBO is developing a halfhour comedy with Calvin Harris that takes place in the world of electronic music. As first reported by Deadline, "Higher" has "Trainspotting" scribe Irvine Welsh on board as scribe, with a starry lineup of exec producers including Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z,James Lassiter, Tyran Smith, Miguel Melendez, Mark Gillespie and Dean Wilson, along with Harris. (Variety)

Back in 2011, Jada spoke on her daughter, Willow, throwing up the Roc with Jay.

"He's very professional, he's a good partner, and we are about to do a movie with him, the 'Annie' joint with Willow [Smith], so he's a good partner...You know, we just have great teams and we have great partnership. It's all about partnering. And that's the thing that I've learned about being in this business. You can't expect to do great things by yourself that you have to be able to partner up with people." ("Great American Morning Show")

Renowned movie director Steven Spielberg's kids teamed up with Hov's Roc Nation company last year.

The DJ siblings released their EP Brother/Sister earlier in 2013 under the name Wardell and have signed with Roc Nation, the company founded by Jay Z, for management. Meanwhile,Sasha recently sold the pilot Girls Without Boys -- co-written with Emily Goldwyn (daughter ofJohn), with Rashida Jones producing -- to ABC. "But music is still my passion," Sasha tells THR. "I am going to find a way to balance both." (Hollywood Reporter)