Translating the stories of the Music industry into semi-fictionalized dramatic Television has been popular of late, though not necessarily successful. First, there was Nashville, which although had been cancelled, was appropriately / miraculously revived by CMT. Then there was HBO’s Vinyl which was sadly cancelled after only one season (despite having Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger behind it). Now on August 12, Netflix will premiere The Get Down, a 13-episode musical drama (created by Baz Luhrmann and Executive Producer Nas) which focuses on the early years of Hip-Hop.
The cast is a large ensemble which includes well known actors such as Jimmy Smits and Giancarlo Esposito, as well as a number of newcomers. Also showing up in a recurring role is Jaden Smith who (perhaps appropriately) plays a “psychedelically talented and enigmatic graffiti writer”.
Similar to Vinyl, the show takes place in New York City during the 1970s though unlike that show, The Get Down has Hamilton star, (and incredible speed rapper) Daveed Diggs narrating, by way of raps written by Nas(!).
Aside from Nas’ involvement (which Luhrmann described as a “huge creative force in the production”) Hip-Hop legends Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow are also said to be advisors on the show.
Check out the new trailer for The Get Down below, and make sure to watch it once it premieres August 12th on Netflix.