The Get Down -

Synopsis:

The Get Down is a vibrant exploration of the rise of hip-hop, disco, and graffiti art in the late 1970s Bronx, New York. The series captures the spirit and energy of a transformative era when a new cultural movement was born on the streets and in the clubs of a city filled with challenges, dreams, and inspirations. While it is an account of the birth of a new music genre, it’s also a love story, a coming-of-age tale, and a depiction of the socio-political environment of the Bronx during that period.

Central Characters:

Ezekiel “Zeke” Figuero (Justice Smith): A talented poet and aspiring rapper, Zeke is the narrator of the story, sharing the journey of his youth through his mature perspective.
Mylene Cruz (Herizen F. Guardiola): Zeke’s love interest, Mylene dreams of becoming a disco superstar, even though her religious father disapproves.
Shaolin Fantastic (Shameik Moore): A graffiti artist and aspiring DJ, Shaolin partners with Zeke to form a hip-hop group.
Ra-Ra Kipling (Skylan Brooks): Zeke’s friend and the group’s “strategist”, he’s mature beyond his years and often acts as the voice of reason.
Dizzee Kipling (Jaden Smith): Ra-Ra’s brother, Dizzee is a graffiti artist and philosophical soul, often lost in his thoughts and art.

Themes:

“The Get Down” weaves multiple themes: the power of music and art as a form of expression and escape, the trials of young love, and the socio-economic struggles of the time, including racial tensions, poverty, and political corruption. The series also delves deep into the importance of friendship, loyalty, and the passion that drives young individuals to break through societal boundaries.

Ratings and Reception:

Critical Consensus Rating: 4/5
Why: Critics lauded the series for its visually stunning representation of the ’70s and for brilliantly capturing the essence of the era. The show’s music and choreography were particularly praised. However, some felt that the narrative was occasionally disjointed, with the balance between its various elements not always achieved.

TV Parental Guidelines Rating:

“The Get Down” was rated TV-MA due to its mature content, including thematic elements, language, and scenes depicting drug use and violence representative of the Bronx during that era.

Original Network and Air Date:

The series aired on Netflix from 2016 to 2017.

TV Series Recommendations:

“Hip-Hop Evolution” – A documentary tracing the evolution of hip-hop from its origins.
“Empire” – A drama centered around a hip-hop music and entertainment company.
“Pose” – Set in the 1980s, it explores the ballroom culture in New York and the rise of pop and dance music.
“Atlanta” – A comedy-drama focusing on an aspiring rapper and his manager cousin navigating the music scene.
“Vinyl” – Set in the 1970s, this series dives into the music industry’s challenges and changes, including the rise of punk, disco, and hip-hop.