The Get Down
The Get Down | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by | |
Starring | |
Narrated by | Nas |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 (2 parts) |
No. of episodes | 11 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Production location | New York City |
Running time | 53–93 minutes |
Production companies | |
Budget | $120 million[1][2] |
Original release | |
Network | Netflix |
Release | August 12, 2016 April 7, 2017 | –
The Get Down is an American musical drama television series created by Baz Luhrmann and Stephen Adly Guirgis. It debuted on Netflix on August 12, 2016, and was cancelled after the first season.[4][5][6]
Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the series is set in the South Bronx region of New York City in the late 1970s; its title refers to parts of disco and R&B records that could be repeated using multiple turntables and were enjoyed most by dancers.[7] A five-episode second part concluding the series was released on April 7, 2017.[8] On May 24, 2017, Netflix announced that the series had concluded after Part 2 and that there would be no more seasons.[9]
Premise
The series is set in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York City, and follows the rise of hip-hop and disco music through the eyes of a group of teenagers. Each episode begins with MC Books, a famous artist that raps his story to a large crowd during a concert in 1996. The short rap serves both as a recap of previous episodes and as a setup of the events of the next. Each episode is also intercut with real footage and newscasts from the 1970s.
Part 1 begins in 1977 with Zeke (young MC Books), a young poet who lives with his aunt Wanda following the death of his parents, meeting Shaolin Fantastic, a graffiti artist and aspiring DJ. The two band together with Zeke's friends to become "The Get Down Brothers" with a dream to become successful music artists and take over the city. Mylene, Zeke's long-time love, dreams of becoming a disco singer and leaving the Bronx, but faces obstacles such as her religious father. Alongside this, the show depicts various gangs and gangsters of the area, especially Fat Annie and her son Cadillac, and observes the poverty and violence faced by those living in the Bronx.
Part 2 is set in 1978, which sees the group members facing adulthood and their futures in the music industry.
Cast
Main
- Justice Smith as Ezekiel ("Zeke") "Books" Figuero: A smart, resourceful teen, brimming with untapped talent and unrequited love, and determined to make his mark in the world. He is in love with Mylene, but her desire to leave the Bronx hinders their relationship.
- Shameik Moore as Curtis "Shaolin Fantastic": A child of the streets; thrill-seeking, unpredictable, and eccentric, but above all, enigmatic. He is distrustful of Mylene and sees her as a distraction to Ezekiel.
- Herizen F. Guardiola as Mylene Cruz: A tenacious girl with an incredible voice who dreams of becoming a disco star, a dream that is far outside the realm of her fiercely religious background. She loves Ezekiel, but fears that he won't ever leave the Bronx.
- Skylan Brooks as Ronald "Ra-Ra" Kipling: A loyal, respected, and protective friend and brother with his head screwed on tight; he's the voice of reason beyond his years.
- Tremaine Brown Jr. as Miles "Boo-Boo" Kipling: A mechanically minded kid who is an irrepressible 40-year-old in a 14-year-old's body.
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Clarence "Cadillac" Caldwell: A "fly gangster", prince of the disco world, and son of the owner of the most notorious after-hours night spot in the Bronx.[10]
- Jimmy Smits as Francisco "Papa Fuerte" Cruz: A South Bronx political boss who delivers services to his constituents that the city has failed to provide, such as jobs, housing, and healthcare.[11]
Recurring
- Jaden Smith as Marcus "Dizzee" Kipling : The most artistically minded of the Kipling brothers, Dizzee is a graffiti artist who tags as Rumi 411.
- Daveed Diggs as adult Ezekiel "Mr. Books" Figuero: He rap-narrates the series. His rapping voice is dubbed by hip-hop artist Nas.
- Giancarlo Esposito as Pastor Ramon Cruz: Papa Fuerte's brother and Mylene's father. He is the charismatic head of the local Pentecostal church who attracts a flock of followers with his fiery sermons and firm, steady leadership.[12]
- Stefanée Martin as Yolanda Kipling: Sister of Boo-Boo, Dizzee, and Ra-Ra. One of Mylene's best friends and a member of the Soul Madonnas.
- Shyrley Rodriguez as Regina: Another of Mylene's best friends and a member of the Soul Madonnas. Outrageous and rebellious, she is in an abusive relationship with Little Wolf.
- Mamoudou Athie as Grandmaster Flash: Hip-hop recording artist and DJ. In real life, he is considered to be one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing. In this TV series, he serves as a mentor for Shaolin Fantastic as well as the rest of the Get Down Brothers.[13]
- Karen Aldridge as Adele Kipling: Mother of Yolanda, Boo-Boo, Dizzee and Ra-Ra.
- Kevin Corrigan as Jackie Moreno: A record producer. In the past Moreno produced many hit records, but years of hard drug abuse and alienating others in the record industry have stalled his career.
- Brandon J. Dirden as Leon: Wanda's boyfriend.
- Michel Gill as Herbert Gunns: New York City Council member, businessman, and supporter of then-Congressman Edward Koch.[14]
- Zabryna Guevara as Lydia Cruz: The wife of pastor Ramon Cruz and the mother of Mylene.[15]
- Ron Cephas Jones as Winston Kipling: Father of Yolanda, Boo-Boo, Dizzee, and Ra-Ra.
- Judy Marte as Wanda: Ezekiel's aunt.
- Evan Parke as Wolf
- Salma Salinas as Angela Cruz: Daughter of pastor Ramon Cruz and Lydia Cruz and sister of Mylene.[16]
- Sal Rendino as Stanley Kelly.
- Yolonda Ross as Ms. Green: The caring-but-tough English teacher who nurtures the potential in her students and advocates for them to pursue their talents.[17]
- Tory Devon Smith as Little Wolf: Regina's abusive boyfriend and one of the neighborhood's drug dealers.
- Lillias White as Fat Annie: Owner of the notorious Les Inferno club, mother of Cadillac, and boss of the local crime family. She is a sexual predator, and is known to be sexually abusive, specifically towards Shaolin. In part 2, it is revealed by Shaolin that she sexually abused her son, Cadillac, as well.
- Frank Wood as Ed Koch: real life U.S. Congressman from New York's 18th district and Democratic candidate for mayor of New York in 1977. Koch has a tough stance against crime (particularly graffiti) and wants to restore public safety back to New York City, so he reluctantly allies himself with Papa Fuerte to help in his campaign in the Bronx.
- Lee Tergesen as Inspector Moran: A police inspector who is on Fat Annie’s payroll. He is responsible for Boo-Boo’s arrest at the end of Part 2. He is nicknamed Moach by Cadillac.
- Eric Bogosian as Roy Asheton: Record executive and president of Marrakech Star, a disco label, responsible for the success of Donna Summer and Misty Holloway.
- Eric D. Hill Jr. as DJ Kool Herc: Real life DJ who is credited with originating hip-hop music in the early 1970s in the Bronx. He serves as a mentor for the Notorious Three (The Herculoids).
- Noah Le Gros as Thor: A graffiti artist who lives a free lifestyle, and Dizzee's love interest.[18]
- Qaasim Middleton as DJ Big Planet: Member of the Notorious Three (the Herculoids), the mortal enemies of the Get Down Brothers.
- RayJonaldy Rodriguez as Silent Carlito: Another member of the Notorious Three.
- Khalil Middleton as MC Luke Skywalker Cage: Another member of the Notorious Three.
- Julia Garner as Claudia Gunns: Daughter of Herbert Gunns.
- Barrington Walters Jr. as Doo-Wop: Street-hardened roughneck drug dealer.
- Jeremie Harris as Shane Vincent: Mylene Cruz's manager.
- Okieriete Onaodowan as Afrika Bambaataa. Real life hip-hop DJ and recording artist, and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation.
- Jamie Jackson as Robert Stigwood. Real-life Australian-born British-resident music entrepreneur, film producer and impresario, best known for managing Cream and the Bee Gees, theatrical productions like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, and film productions including the extremely successful Grease and Saturday Night Fever.
Guest
- Billy Porter as DJ Malibu: A DJ at Les Inferno.
- Annika Boras.
- Alexis Krause as Leslie Lesgold. Highly influential creator of a weekly "record pool" that selects the hottest disco records to be played by New York club DJs.
- Renée Elise Goldsberry as Misty Holloway, a popular disco singer who is idolized by Mylene.
- Bryce Pinkham as Julien.
- Imani Lewis as Tanya.
Episodes
Season 1 (2016-17)
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | ||||||||
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' | ||||||||||||
1 | "Where There Is Ruin, There Is Hope for a Treasure" | Baz Luhrmann | Story by : Baz Luhrmann & Stephen Adly Guirgis Teleplay by : Baz Luhrmann & Stephen Adly Guirgis & Seth Zvi Rosenfeld | August 12, 2016 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||||
2 | "Seek Those Who Fan Your Flames" | Ed Bianchi | Sam Bromell & Sinead Daly & Jacqui Rivera | August 12, 2016 | ||||||||
Grandmaster Flash begins his training of Shaolin Fantastic. He begins by giving Shao a crayon that he refers to as the "key", and twenty-four hours to figure out its use. While the other boys give up and leave, Shao and Zeke stay overnight and realize the crayon is used to mark the "get down" point on the records. After further explanations, Grandmaster instructs Shao to perfect one record using his techniques. After working for a while, the boys take a break and return to discover that Shao's home has been set on fire, destroying his records and turntables. Meanwhile, Mylene's uncle Papa Fuerte arranges for a music producer to listen to her sing in church. Just before the service begins, however, Mylene's father tells her she will no longer sing solos due to her recent actions and foray into disco music. As the choir sings, the producer starts to leave, so Mylene defies her father's wishes and sings to stop him from leaving. The episode ends with Cadillac investigating who ordered the shootout at Les Inferno, during which he shoots a young boy from a rival gang. | ||||||||||||
3 | "Darkness Is Your Candle" | Andrew Bernstein | T Cooper & Allison Glock-Cooper & Stephen Adly Guirgis | August 12, 2016 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||||
4 | "Forget Safety, Be Notorious" | Ed Bianchi | Aaron Rahsaan Thomas | August 12, 2016 | ||||||||
| ||||||||||||
5 | "You Have Wings, Learn to Fly" | Michael Dinner | Seth Zvi Rosenfeld | August 12, 2016 | ||||||||
Whilst hunting down the person responsible for the bootlegged tapes, the Get Down Brothers run into DJ Kool Herc but manage to prove it was one of his own men. He challenges the boys to a DJ battle against the Notorious Three. Grandmaster lifts Shao's ban so he can compete. Meanwhile Pastor Cruz confronts Papa Fuerte and is shocked to see Mylene there. Fuerte reminds Cruz of his past sins before Moreno, trying to defuse the situations, explains he wants Mylene to record a hymn with a disco twist in his church. Cruz agrees and makes peace with his daughter when he hears the final song. Zeke is late to his interview but after some hard truths from Ms. Green goes back and fights for his internship with Gunn. At the same time he works with Shao and the Kipling brothers to prepare for the upcoming battle discovering they each have different musical skills. When Mylene comes to play her record to Zeke, Shao realizes a beat in her record is the missing link for their performance and forcibly takes a copy causing an argument between Glendale and Shao. The episode ends with the Get Down brothers finding the brother of the boy killed by Cadillac on their roof. | ||||||||||||
6 | "Raise Your Words, Not Your Voice" | Ed Bianchi | Seth Zvi Rosenfeld & Sam Bromell | August 12, 2016 | ||||||||
Dizzee has a new experience at a secret party in the city. As the guys gear up for an explosive DJ battle, Zeke boards a political rollercoaster | ||||||||||||
' | ||||||||||||
7 | "Unfold Your Own Myth" | Lawrence Trilling | Stephen Adly Guirgis | April 7, 2017 | ||||||||
Tensions between Shao and the boys threaten to destabilize the group. With her star on the rise, Mylene faces new expectations for pressures. | ||||||||||||
8 | "The Beat Says, This Is the Way" | Ed Bianchi | Aaron Rahsaan Thomas | April 7, 2017 | ||||||||
Zeke’s Ivy League meeting goes off the rails. Ra-Ra has a bold proposition for Fat Annie, resulting in an explosive musical showdown at Les Inferno. | ||||||||||||
9 | "One by One, Into the Dark" | Clark Johnson | Nelson George | April 7, 2017 | ||||||||
Confronted by ultimatums, Zeke and Mylene each must make a tough choice. Annie pitches a deal to a skeptical Shao and a resentful Cadillac. | ||||||||||||
10 | "Gamble Everything" | Ed Bianchi | Seth Zvi Rosenfeld | April 7, 2017 | ||||||||
Mylene has a fateful encounter with her idol, the Cruz family reaches a critical juncture, a revelation strikes Ra-Ra, and Shao takes rash action. | ||||||||||||
11 | "Only from Exile Can We Come Home" | Ed Bianchi | Sam Bromell & Jacqui Rivera | April 7, 2017 | ||||||||
While the B-boy community rallies in defense of the get down, Mylene’s musical fate hangs in the balance, and Zeke receives some life-altering news. |
Production
The series was announced in February 2015, after Luhrmann had spent over ten years developing the concept. The series is described as "a mythic saga of how New York at the brink of bankruptcy gave birth to hip-hop, punk and disco".[19] The Sony Pictures Television show takes place in Bronx tenements, the SoHo art scene, CBGB, Studio 54 and the just-built World Trade Center.[20] On April 9, 2015, it was announced that Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Skylan Brooks, Jaden Smith, and newcomer Tremaine (TJ) Brown Jr. would play the show's lead male roles.[21] On April 16, 2015 it was announced that newcomer Herizen F. Guardiola would play the show's female lead.[22]
Rap legends Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow and Nas hosted a hip-hop boot camp to educate the young actors.[23] The production crew used the Eisner Award-winning comic series Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor as a reference point.[24][25] the Sony-produced series soon hit delays and also saw the departure of original showrunner Shawn Ryan. The first six episodes of season one debuted in August 2016, marking the first time a Netflix original season was split into two parts rather than released all at once as has been the tradition at the streamer for scripted series. The trailer for part two was released in February 2017, with episodes being made available on Netflix on April 7, 2017. The series picked up a year later in 1978.[26] The accompanying soundtrack was released on April 21, 2017.[27] The last five episodes brought the season one episode count to 11 — two short of the original 13-episode order The Get Down received in 2015. The Get Down was Netflix's most expensive series up to date, costing around 120 million. The expense of 120 million greatly surpassed the budget of 7.5 million.
Reception
Praise for the show primarily centered around strong music, a fresh cast, and a nod to authenticity, with Luhrmann specifically involving many historical characters in producer roles, including: Nas, Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, and DJ Kool Herc.[28] Part 1 holds a score of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 73 reviews, with the critic consensus reading, "The Get Down's vibrant music and energetic young cast help to elevate its meandering narrative."[29] The season has a score of 69 out of 100 based on 31 reviews on Metacritic which is classified as "generally favorable reviews".[30] Part 2 received an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 critics, with an average score of 7.68/10, with "Critics Consensus: The Get Down continues to be a dazzling kaleidoscope of genre styles and a warm celebration of hip-hop's origins."[31][32]
The uptempo musical numbers and soundtrack were generally praised as well as the performances from the main cast and cinematography of the show.[citation needed] However, the overly dramatic love story and sometimes "cartoonish" violence have been criticized, saying it detracts from the darker, authentic feel of the show and its setting.[citation needed] Reviews improved with later episodes as critics felt that the series had toned down its more outlandish and over the top elements in favor of a more cohesive and balanced episode structure.[33][34][35] Matt Zoller Seitz of Vulture gave high praises to the series' second half, stating that, "A promising show has become a terrific one."[36] Seitz later named The Get Down as the 4th best TV series of 2017, writing that it is "one of a handful of series that can be said to have devised its own language."[37] Variety ultimately praised the show as, "a reclamation of, and a love letter to, a marginalized community of a certain era, told through the unreliable tools of romance, intuition, and lived experiences."[38]
Accolades
Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards | |||
Best Outstanding Music Supervision – Television | Stephanie Diaz-Matos | Nominated | |
2017 MPSE Golden Reel Awards | |||
Best Music Editor – Television Short Form | Jamieson Shaw | Won | |
Best Music Editor – Television Long Form | Nominated | ||
2017 Hollywood Music in Media Awards | |||
Original Song – TV Show/Limited Series | "Power" for Elliott Wheeler, Baz Luhrmann, Homer Steinweiss, and Donna Missal | Won |
See also
References
- ^ "Baz Luhrmann's The Get Down is the big let down ... or not". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (July 25, 2019). "'Triple Frontier' Leads Netflix to Cut Back on Huge Spending for Films — Report". IndieWire. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- ^ "The Get Down". Real or Fake 4K. Russell Kercheval. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ^ "Netflix Unveils Premiere Dates For 'Orange Is The New Black,' 'The Get Down,' 'Flaked' And Others". Deadline Hollywood. January 17, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ "First trailer for Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series set in '70s New York". Digital Spy. February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
- ^ "Why The Get Down Is Only Premiering Half of Its First Season on Friday". Vulture. New York Media. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Ringen, Jonathan (August 20, 2016). "Birth of a (Hip-Hop) Nation". Billboard. Vol. 128, no. 21. pp. 27–28.
- ^ Evans, Greg (February 23, 2017). "'The Get Down Part II': Netflix Announces Return Date With New Video Clip". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 24, 2017). "'The Get Down' Canceled By Netflix After One Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
- ^ "Baz Luhrmann's 'The Get Down' Adds "Disco Prince" to Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries, LLC. May 28, 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Jimmy Smits To Star In Baz Luhrmann's Netflix Music Drama 'The Get Down'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Giancarlo Esposito Joins Baz Luhrmann's Hip-Hop Drama 'The Get Down' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries, LLC. June 18, 2015.
- ^ "Netflix Lands Grandmaster Flash for 'The Get Down,' Casts Young Actor as Hip-Hop Legend". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries, LLC. May 20, 2015.
- ^ Liebman, Lisa (August 12, 2016). "Separating Fact and Fiction in Netflix's The Get Down". Vulture. New York Media LLC. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (September 29, 2015). "Zabryna Guevara 'The Get Down'". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries, LLC. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise. "Yolanda Ross Joins 'The Get Down'; Chris Petrovski In 'Madam Secretary'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ King, Jamilah (August 15, 2016). "'The Get Down' is the Queer Hip-Hop History We've Been Waiting For". Mic Network Inc.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 5, 2015). "Netflix orders Baz Luhrmann musical drama 'The Get Down'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc.
- ^ "Watch The First Trailer For Baz Luhrmann's Netflix Show". Huffington Post. February 5, 2015.
- ^ "Netflix Sets Cast for Baz Luhrmann Hip-Hop Drama 'The Get Down' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. April 9, 2015.
- ^ Daley, Megan (April 16, 2015). "Baz Luhrmann's 'The Get Down' has its female lead". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc.
- ^ Greg, Grouchy (August 4, 2016). "Grandmaster Flash and Nas Made "The Get Down" Cast Go Through Hip-Hop Boot Camp". AllHipHop.
- ^ "Instagram photo by Ed Piskor". Instagram. August 4, 2016.
- ^ "Instagram video by Justice Smith". Instagram. January 18, 2016.
- ^ "The Get Down Part II trailer: Baz Luhrmann is headed back to Netflix". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. February 24, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ "The Get Down: Part II". Soundtrack.Net. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ Saraiya, Sonia (August 4, 2016). "TV Review: 'The Get Down'". Variety. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ "The Get Down". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "The Get Down: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ "The Get Down: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ The Get Down, retrieved February 25, 2019
- ^ Sam Wollaston (August 15, 2016). "The Get Down review – an insanely extravagant love letter to 70s New York". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ Tim Goodman (August 3, 2016). "The Get Down TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ Saraiya, Sonia (August 4, 2016). "TV Review: 'The Get Down'". Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller (April 6, 2017). "The Second Half of The Get Down Is a Major Improvement Over the First". Vulture. New York Media LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
- ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller (December 4, 2017). "The 10 Best TV Shows of 2017". Vulture. New York Media LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
- ^ Saraiya, Sonia (August 4, 2016). "TV Review: 'The Get Down'". Variety. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ "2016 Music In Visual Media Nominees". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ "HMMA Winners – Hollywood Music In Media Awards | HMMA". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ "Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Full Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries, LLC. November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
External links
- The Get Down on Netflix
- The Get Down at IMDb
- 2016 American television series debuts
- 2017 American television series endings
- 2010s American teen drama television series
- 2010s American music television series
- English-language television shows
- Hip hop television
- English-language Netflix original programming
- Serial drama television series
- Television series by Sony Pictures Television
- Television series set in the 1970s
- Television shows filmed in New York (state)
- Television shows set in New York City
- Television series set in 1977
- Television series set in 1978
- 2010s American black television series