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'The Get Down' captures authentic hip-hop culture of late 1970s
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A scene of 'The Get Down' featuring Jaden Smith, Skylan Brooks, Shameik Moore, Justice Smith and Tremaine Brown Jr. (Netflix/-)
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etflix released yet another new television show that is bound to interest most of the demographic that enjoys binge-watching via the streaming platform.
The Get Down is a musical drama TV series set in the South Bronx of New York City in the late 1970s, depicting the origins of hip-hop in black culture. A formerly deteriorating, poverty-stricken area, this pretty much sets the scenario and backdrop of the plot. The story unfolds with a group of kids trying to make it through hardship to become successful. It was a harsh moment in time for New York around that period, and it started with a musical revolution among the youth that began to change things.
The first half of the season premiered on Aug. 12 with six episodes available already with running time between 53 and 93 minutes. It is produced by Sony Pictures Television under executive producers Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge!), Shawn Ryan (Last Resort, The Chicago Code) and Stephen Adly Guirgis.
(Read also: Good reasons to binge-watch 'Wayward Pines')
The leading male character, Ezekiel “Zeke” Figuero, is played by Justice Smith, who made his Hollywood debut playing Radar from Paper Towns. He no longer wears glasses and nows sports a larger Afro, as is the trend in the origins of hip-hop and disco dancing. Zeke is determined to make a mark in the world, filled with untapped potential and is very resourceful. Other cast members include Jaden Smith, the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Shameik Moore and Herizen F. Guardiola.
In order to capture the essence and birth of hip-hop, visualize and spread awareness on its authentic truth, the producers reportedly had consulted with scholars and historians especially regarding historic events that occurred in New York in the late 1970s. For example, the real-life Grandmaster Flash, a pioneer of hip-hop DJing, was employed to train the young actor who played him on the show.
A curious mind will particularly be intrigued by this show, which not only inspires musicians and artists to pursue their dreams, but also to never give up. It took US$120 million to create the series, and the second half is said to air on Netflix next year. (kha/kes)
