HBO released the trailer for its new unscripted series “Chillin Island” on Friday (Dec. 10). “Chillin Island” is hosted by Alec “Despot” Reinstein, Aleksey “Lakutis”’ Weintraub, and Ashok “Dap” Kondabolu of Das Racist. It features hip hop stars such as Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Yachty, Killer Mike, Ski Mask the Slump God, Coi Leray, and more getting acquainted with nature.
The six-episode series is based on an online radio show hosted by Reinstein, Weintraub, and Kondabolu. It’s narrated by Steven Wright and executive produced by Drake’s production company DreamCrew, along with Uncut Gems director Josh Safdie and his Elara Pictures co-founder Sebastian Bear-McClard. Nina Rosenstein, the executive vice president of HBO Programming said in a press release that “Chillin Island” is “quirky, irreverent, and at times, profound.”
“There’s been an explosion of really inventive TV produced over the past few years, but nothing can prepare you for ‘Chillin Island,”’ Rosenstein said. “It’s a brilliant mix of offbeat observations and weirdly funny revelations built around three unconventional hosts, some well-known rappers, and exotic locations.”
“Tuning into an episode of Alec, Dap and Lakutis’ internet radio show was like hanging out with rappers and Howard Stern if he was on K. It was so easy and yet so deep,”added Elara Pictures. “When Alec approached us to create a TV show with the vibe of their radio show, it only made sense to put them and their guests in the middle of nowhere…”
In the first episode, Young Thug rescues the hosts, and discovers what it means to be a snake, according to an HBO description. Lil Yachty’s encounter with the Skunk Ape and his adventure through the swamps will follow Thugger’s episode. “Chillin Island” is set to premiere Friday (Dec. 17) on HBO. The series will also be available to stream via HBO Max.
Check out the trailer and cool poster for “Chillin Island” below: