"Hip-hop is very multicultural and we want to make the show multicultural," Ridley told the Associated Press today. "But it's still ingrained in black culture and there's just not a lot of venues serving people of color. It's a struggle. A lot of networks are just ignoring a segment of the population."

The series is co-created by Sophia Coppola and stars Lalanya Masters, Jason George, Sticky Fingaz, Steven Pasquale and Davetta Sherwood, N'Bushe Wright and Vishiss. UPN has ordered six episodes of the series, which premieres Monday, April 14th at 9p ET before moving into its regular timeslot beginning Tuesday, April 15th at 9p ET. Ridley says he hopes to make the show as engaging as dramas like LAW & ORDER.

"The headline is that somebody pulls a gun at a club and Puffy and J.Lo (Sean ``P. Diddy'' Combs and Jennifer Lopez) were there and it's in People magazine," he says. "But what happens to the person who got shot or what happens to Puffy and J.Lo when their names are in the paper and they have to deal with it?"

The novelist and writer says the violence and sensationalism often associated with hip hop will undoubtedly creep into the show, but the intent isn't to be scandalous or exploitive.

"When I write my script, I put everything in it. The language, the sexuality, I put in there and let the (network) censors dial it back. I'm surprised at the frankness they've allowed me. But I'm more concerned about having a deep show than saying dirty words."

You can read much more about PLATINUM here.