Wanda Bell is trading the dope game for the rap game in the upcoming spinoff series, The Drop: A Snowfall Saga.
On Monday, Aug. 17, FX released the official trailer for the new drama, which reunites Snowfall characters Wanda (Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (Isaiah John).
The series follows the couple as they try to reinvent themselves in 1990s Los Angeles, where the aftermath of the crack epidemic is helping to fuel the rise of West Coast hip hop.
“This is the new gold rush. No cops, no murder,” Wanda says in the video.
In reality, history has shown being closely associated with rap music can be almost as dangerous, following the murders in Southern California of rappers Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle, PnB Rock, Drakeo the Ruler, Kee Riches, Indian Red Boy, Slim 400, and Snoopy Blue in recent years.
Wanda is convinced West Coast rap will reshape the culture, and sets out to assemble a group of talented artists. But building a music empire means navigating the dangerous intersection of the recording industry, street politics, and law enforcement.
She pulls her cousins Lamar Kinsey (Asante Blackk) and James Kinsey (Peyton Alex Smith) into her plans, and pursues volatile local rapper Artillery (Simmie “Buddy” Sims III), who is already tangled up with the law.
An internship with former drug dealer-turned-record label owner Darryl “DG” Grant (Brandon Mychal Smith) gives Wanda a foot in the door. But her growing ambition creates tension with Leon, who vowed to leave the streets behind.
As Wanda chases success in the music business, Leon hopes to give back to the community by opening a free legal clinic.
“As ambition, loyalty and survival collide, how much is everyone willing to risk in order to build something lasting in a world that threatens to pull them down?” the official description reads.
The cast also includes Mykelti Williamson, Nicki Micheaux, Isidora Goreshter, Eric Balfour, Richard Portnow, Zaire Adams, Demetrius Grosse, and Quincy Chad.
Monday’s trailer drop followed a special presentation by FX at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention & Career Fair in Atlanta on Aug. 15. The event included a screening of the new series along with a conversation featuring the cast.
The late John Singleton created Snowfall alongside Eric Amadio and Dave Andron. The crime drama explored the crack cocaine epidemic in 1980s South Central Los Angeles. It premiered in 2017 and ended in 2023.
The spinoff comes from executive producer Malcolm Spellman, whose credits include Empire and Bel-Air.
Snowfall executive producers Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Julie DeJoie, Michael London and Trevor Engelson are also behind the spinoff.
The Drop: A Snowfall Saga premieres Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on FX and Hulu. New episodes will be released weekly.
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