WHACK!!!!!!

Or you're too Caucasian to enjoy a series that doesn't feature characters you personally can relate to.
It's a short coming I've found you people have in common

I grew up in the South Bronx and was there during the time in which this series is set.

I take this show to be more of a play than a regular tv show or movie. The sets flow into each other - you see the same backdrops because that would happen in a play. One group or actor enters stage left as another drifts away stage right. The acting is similar to that of a stage production.

Troll Alert with bad taste.

I've never understood why people expect perfection from the 1st episode of any TV series, the 1st few episodes, and sometimes even half way through. Some series "come into their own". Few are excellent from the very beginning as ratings sometimes show. And even some of the most excellent, plot, characters, acting, settings, effects show don't make it. #Firefly

"I understand English very well...." Magua, The Last of the Mohicans

I agree. It takes some knowledge and wisdom in order to be able to properly digest and appreciate The Get Down. It's definitely not for everyone.

This isn't meant to be a solid document of how Hip Hop started, more a musical and dramatic portrayal of the place and the time that generated the culture.
I was apprehensive about watching this as worried Baz would theatricalise the story too much as Hip Hop is a culture I've been involved in since the early 80'S and I'm not a huge fan of his previous work (although its not bad!).
On the contrary I was surprised and found it pretty damn good.
The set and visuals are amazing, the way old footage is mixed with new set footage, genuine old train pieces mixed with The Get Downs very own.
The figures represented are all quite accurate - if made slightly more mythical - Bam, Herc, Flash…the real old skool writers Daze and Crash are briefly represented, and I'm sure with further investigation some of the music business cats, club owners, gang bosses and Francisco are all based on real characters around at that time.
There was a gang called the Savage Nomads - amongst many others - and they appear here as the Savage Warlords.
The tenement buildings being burnt on a daily basis DID happen - maybe Mf 125 you lived a closed life and wasn't let out much for your own safety.
Opinions are like A**holes and yours 125, well they're WAK (we spell it like that!).
The acting was great…especially Jimmy Smitts amongst others.
The dialogue on point - especially the poetry fused with thoughts and raps etc.
And the visuals very effective for the period this is set in. Different Strokes? Its meant to look like that suckers!
Grainy footage? Gives you the feeling its from the 70's.
I would say this is not a gritty account of the hardship and struggles people went through there and then but that is definitely touched on. You have to remember Luherman has made musicals and grand productions he's definitely brought that element to this story. BUT I like it and looking forward to watching the episode 4.
The one issue I do have with it is WHY its called The Get Down and not The Break? (in reference to the breakbeat part of the track).
If you want other insights into Hip Hop and the South Bronx back then, watch:
- From Mambo to Hip Hop
- Wild Style
- Style Wars
- the Warriors
- 80 blocks from Tiffanys
- Watching my name go by
- Beat Street!

I agree 110 percent.
I also grew up in the city during the birth of b.boy.
This is garbage. Like a 2016 version of Fame.
Every overused cliche is explored.
The use of Vitamin C by Can is terrible.
I love the song but like the series itself it is a trendy and hipster pick.
Nobody was listening to that song in the hood.
Trans Europe Express, or Double Dutch Bus or Shangri La are authentic.
There is 0.00 percent accuracy here.

"I don't respond to flames/trolls."
So have fun talking to yourself.
:-)