Rap superstar Eminem's life has already been the subject of a hit movie - and now he's a heavy influence on a new TV show.

Eminem, who won critical and box office success in his gritty drama 8 Mile, has had a profound effect on Platinum, a new TV series which features a white rapper as a main character.

Kevin Bray, who produces the show about two brothers who runs a hip-hop record label in New York City, says, "We decided to have a white rapper as the biggest act on the label because that's being truthful to what's going on in hip-hop today."

Bray adds that rap fans can look forward to seeing some of hip hop's biggest names show up as guest stars on the show, which debuts later this month.

He says, "MC Lyte has already shot an episode of the show, and we're in negotiations for Lil' Kim to do at least one episode."