UMC, the first and largest streaming service for Black TV and film from AMC Networks, is partnering with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) to kick off a nationwide casting call for the co-star of its latest original production, “Partners In Rhyme.”

A new half-hour sitcom created by “Martin” and “The Jamie Foxx Show” alum Bentley Kyle Evans together with iconic rapper and announcer MC Lyte, “Partners In Rhyme” chronicles the trials of an up-and-coming female high school rapper, social media sensation and foster kid who thinks she is the best thing to happen to the rap game since Cardi B. MC Lyte also stars in the sitcom as a label executive charged with helping the difficult but talented new artist navigate the industry.

“The opportunity to pair an industry legend like MC Lyte with up-and-coming talent we’ve yet to discover is the exact principle on which both UMC and ABFF were founded.

Five finalists will be selected and notified on August 10, 2020, after which they will be invited to participate in the final round during the ABFF film festival, where they must perform a scene from “Partners In Rhyme,” as well as a rap verse in front of an audience and a panel of judges.

The first episode of “Partners In Rhyme” will premiere exclusively at ABFF’s 2021 film festival ahead of its official premiere on UMC later that year.