The third season of the reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta aired on VH1 from May 5, 2014 until September 8, 2014. The season was primarily filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. It was executively produced by Mona Scott-Young for Monami Entertainment, Toby Barraud and Stefan Springman for Eastern TV, and Susan Levison, Nina L. Diaz, Brad Abramson and Danielle Gelfand for VH1.
The series chronicles the lives of several women and men in the Atlanta area, involved in hip hop music. It consists of 20 episodes, including a three-part reunion special hosted by Sommore.
Mimi has a tough decision to make when her sex tape with Nikko leaks and she is approached by one of the biggest porn companies in the world. Stevie and Joseline have announced that they are now married, but no one in Atlanta believes them, turning old friends into new enemies. Karlie has found love with rapper Yung Joc but becomes suspicious when he spends so much time with his "assistant". Scrappy is once again caught between two women, Bambi and Erica Pinkett. Rasheeda and Kirk welcome their newborn son, Karter into the family, only to find out that Kirk is up to his old tricks.
Reception
The season was a huge ratings success,[3] with the series premiere having a combined rating of 5.6 million viewers[4] and continuing to set ratings records throughout the season.[5] The outrageous storylines and scandals, particularly Mimi and Nikko's sex tape, Benzino's non-fatal shooting and Joseline's violent behavior at the reunion, garnered a media storm and made its cast members tabloid fixtures.[6] In reference to Benzino's shooting in particular, creator and executive producer Mona Scott-Young said "The timing and the way that it happened, you have another moment that you go, you canโt make this stuff up. Itโs like the reality gods have once again chosen this show to smile upon.โ[7]
K. Michelle returns in a guest appearance in one episode. Shirleen Harvell, Kirk's potential babysitter Jasmine Swann, Yung Joc's assistant Khadiyah Lewis and Kalenna's girlfriend Ashley T. Moore appear as guest stars in several episodes. The show features minor appearances from notable figures within the hip hop industry and Atlanta's social scene, including Steven Hirsch, Erica's boyfriend O'Shea Russell, Jeremih, Bobby V, DJ Vlad, Stevie J and Mimi's daughter Eva Jordan, Erica's mother Mingnon Dixon, Nikko's friend Johnny Crome, Snoop Dogg and Joseline's producer Fly Dantoni.
Stevie and Joseline celebrate the next step in their relationship while Kirk and Rasheeda take two steps back. Momma Dee takes a bite out of Scrappy's new love interest.
guest: Deb Antney (Waka Flockaโs mother), Shirleen (Rasheedaโs mother), Benzino
cameo: Karter Frost, Scrapp DeLeon
Tammy is added to the opening credits, replacing departing cast members K. Michelle and Traci. Tammy, Waka, Bambi and Nikko join the cast. Although credited, Karlie does not appear.
When Stevie gets word of Mimi's new found infamy, there is hell to pay. Scrappy tries to juggle all of the ladies in his life. Karlie imposes ground rules on her new man Yung Joc.
guest: Steven Hirsch (Adult Entertainment Executive), Erica P.
cameo: Karter
Yung Joc joins the supporting cast. Although credited, Rasheeda and Tammy do not appear.
Stevie and Joseline put their big wedding plans on hold to handle some business, which blows up in Stevie's face. Bambi suffers a setback. Kirk takes the search for a nanny into his own hands. Karlie and Joc go from breakup to makeup to bust.
Mimi and Dawn continue their quest to expose Stevie J and Joseline. Momma Dee tries to make peace between Erica Pinkett and Bambi, but only wages a new war. When Rasheeda hits a studio slump, Kirk is to blame.
guest: Shirleen (Rasheedaโs mother), Tony (Kalennaโs husband)
cameo: Ky Frost, Karter
Although credited, Erica and Karlie do not appear.
Stevie J and Benzino take on their newest venture, but when Karlie and Althea have a run in at their grand opening, it all goes down in flames. Waka and his family deal with a tragic loss.
cameo: Karter, Shay Johnson
Deb Antney and Althea join the supporting cast.
Stevie tries to apologize to Joseline. Erica's hot and steamy romance with O'Shea starts to fizzle. Mimi and Nikko butt heads over his past with Althea. Rasheeda, Karlie and Kalenna take a girls trip to New Orleans.
Joseline's suspicions over Stevie's fidelity reach a fever pitch. Kirk and Rasheeda take the next step in their relationship. Kalenna's house guest causes a shake up in her marriage. Mimi and Ariane feud over Nikko.
guest: Ricardo (choreographer), Ashley (Kalennaโs friend)
Tony joins the supporting cast. Although credited, Erica and Tammy do not appear.
Joseline finds out about Stevie's past and there is hell to pay. Tammy and Waka try to move forward after the death of Kayo. Mimi gets a preview of her sex tape trailer.
Mimi's sex tape releases to mixed reviews. Kirk's apology party for Rasheeda turns sour when Karlie comes face to face with Althea. Scrappy goes on damage control. Joseline leaves Stevie completely unraveled.
guest: Eva (Mimi & Stevieโs daughter), K. Michelle, Bobby V (recording artist), Shirleen (Rasheedaโs mother), DJ Vlad (VladTV)
Karlie and Joc reach a breaking point in their relationship. Benzino attempts to secure his future with Althea. Momma Dee and Erica try to mend old wounds. Mimi makes a shocking discovery about Nikko's past.
The discovery of Nikko's marriage leaves Mimi wanting answers. Tammy takes fertility matters into her own hands. Karlie serves Joc with the ultimate revenge. Stevie takes a trip to LA to record with Snoop Dogg.
guest: Snoop Dogg, Dr. Mark Perloe (fertility specialist), Johnny Crome (Nikkoโs ex-roommate)
Benzino outs Joseline, leaving his relationship with Stevie in question. Waka is dealt surprising news that threatens his future with Tammy. Mimi makes a final decision about her future with Nikko. Stevie and Joseline's relationship is tested.
The cast reunites to revisit all the explosive drama. Things take a turn for the worse when the tensions between Stevie J, Joseline, Benzino and Althea get physical.
Joseline continues to fight with other cast members, both on and off screen. The cast reflects on how things went so horribly wrong at the reunion and who is to blame.
host: Sommore, Stefan Springman (segments with Benzino, Althea, Stevie and Joseline)
Mimi and Nikko reveal the status of their relationship. Stevie J, Joseline, Benzino and Althea recap the fight at the reunion from their points of view.
host: Sommore, Stefan Springman (segments with Benzino, Althea, Stevie and Joseline)
guest: Ashley
Music
Several cast members had their music featured on the show and released singles to coincide with the airing of the episodes.
List of songs performed and/or featured in Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta season three