Nas Working With Baz Luhrmann on New Netflix Show

During a panel at the Tribeca Film Festival, critically acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann, opened up about his upcoming Netflix series ‘The Get Down’. Luhrmann shared ‘One of the great collaborations is that I’ve been working really close in creating these rhymes, and he’s a producer on the film, with one of the most iconic voices of the ‘90s and that’s Nas.’

Nas’ rhymes sit somewhere between “pure rap, narration, and a sort of Greek chorus comment”, and according to Luhrmann, the show would not be the same without them.

The show centres on a group of young teenagers in the 1970s when Hip Hop was just emerging alongside punk rock in a crime ridden New York City. The show stars ‘Dope’ actor Shameik Moore, ‘Paper Towns’ actor Justice Smith, ‘Southpaw’ actor Skylan Brooks and new comer Tremaine Brown Jr. According to Luhrmann, “The characters these young actors play in ‘The Get Down’ unwittingly become a band of brothers. Any great group is always made up of distinctly different characters, and the actors we are privileged enough to invite into the roles of Ezekiel, Shaolin Fantastic, Boo Boo and Ra Ra all have the distinction of being from such diverse backgrounds – from performing in subways in the Bronx to the music scene of Atlanta and of course Los Angeles. I know they’re collectively on the beginning of a thrilling journey with a big story to tell.”

Jaden Smith is also set to star in the show, playing the role of Marcus ‘Dizzee’ Kipling, an 18 year old graffiti writer. According to Luhrmann “he has begun developing his ‘The Get Down’ skill set, even taking lessons from the legendary graffiti artist Lady Pink of ‘Wild Style’ fame, as well as steeping himself in the history and culture of the Bronx”. Mamoudou Athie is playing legendary recording artist and DJ Grandmaster Flash.

‘The Get Down’ will be available to stream on Netflix on 12^th August.