It's the 70's and disco music is close to its peak. But in the South Bronx, a massive shift in popular culture is in the works. Hip hop is being born. From Diana Ross, Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor to DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and The Zulu Nation.
Not a leftist series in anyway, and the plot can have a soap opera feel sometimes. But class and racial issues play a role.
Thanks to the actor's performances, the cool soundtrack (featuring Kamasi Washington, NAS, Janelle Monae, ...) and Baz Luhrmann's usual refined aestetics, I end up having a good moment watching it.
Really enjoyed the first season and the fun facts like the new york black out giving way to people stealing dj equipment, the crayon on the record to mark the loop, and the echoplex being a big deal. The aesthetic of that area of new york during that time period wasn't something i'd had exposure to. Don't think i ever finished the second set of episodes but i might have to go back.
Part 2 is less good (particularly because they had to resort to animated sequences because of scheduling difficulties with Jaden Smith), and it got canceled after that :(