Da Jammies
Da Jammies is an animated musical television series that first aired on August 31, 2015, on Netflix. It was created by Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton and William "Dolla" Chapman II. The series covers various issues that affect children with an overarching theme of "unity" and "doing it together".
Ralph Farquhar is the executive producer. It is directed by Tyree Dillihay and Ron Myrick. Featured guest stars include Darius McCrary, Alisa Reyes, Dani Nicolet, Kurtis Blow, Buddy Lewis, Emcee N.I.C.E., William "Dolla" Chapman II aka D.B.I., Tiny Lister Jr., Kel Mitchell and James Avery.
Premise
Da Jammies centers around a group of friends who attend a performing arts school where they struggle to balance real-life issues with their dreams of stardom. Co-leader Dolla is a quick-tempered, rapping dancer who believes that Da Jammies do not practice enough. The other co-leader, Novelist, plays a "peacekeeping" role and always has a solution to help the crew succeed. The other members are Momo, a poet with a bubbly personality; LaLa, a singing diva; and Seven, a "soulful crooner" who always tries to be helpful. Their nemesis is another group called the Battlebrats, whose leaders Mike Fresh and Smalls constantly seek ways to outdo Da Jammies and usually fail.In each episode, the show addresses issues that affect young people, such as homelessness, bullying, self-awareness, body image, and friendship.
Cast and characters
Secondary cast
Einny - Resident GeniusEinny is not only the resident genius with an IQ of 300, but he is the king of gadgets. He chose to forego college, telling his mother and father he knows he's smart but that he wants to grow up like a normal kid. He befriended Da Jammies and started inventing things like rockets, time-traveling machines, and space ships.Principal Cransberry The Musical Has Been
Cransberry is an extremely short, money-hungry principal who exploits the students' talents for his own benefit. A former R&B singer who never made it past his first record, he knows the kids can make money, and does all he can to profit off them. This includes taking a portion of all proceeds that Da Jammies and others make while performing at the school.Klondell All World Security Guard
Klondell is a security guard at the school and the local mall. He acts as a resident uncle to the students but sees the kids as beyond stupid with their reliance on gadgets and technology. He wants things to be as they used to be.
Da Jammies Nemesis
The Battlebrats
Mike Fresh Non-talented hotheadMike Fresh comes from an affluent family that allows him to get whatever he wants. He wants to rap but is not good at it, and is jealous of Dolla. He does whatever he pleases. Part of his everyday routine is coming up with ways to sabotage Dolla; which includes Da Jammies.Smalls The Rapping Japanese
Smalls is equally spoiled by his affluent family. He loves to rap sometimes in Japanese and English. His dad is a well-to-do music executive who doesn't know his son is amazing. Mike Fresh and Smalls are best friends who constantly endanger themselves.
Additional characters
Covington - James Avery. This role marks Avery's final television appearance, with the actor dying two years prior to the series' completion. As a result, the entire series was dedicated to his memory. Big Horace - Tommy ['Tiny' Lister, Jr.] This role would mark Lister's final television appearance prior to his death in 2020.Shamus - Marcus T. PaulkKurtis Flow - Kurtis Blow Crazy Craze - James "JJ" LewisLady Lark - Rebecca ShoichetAngelique - Kyla PrattLove Man - Rodney PerryThe Magician - Dorien Wilson8's Mother - Kym WhitleySubstitute Teacher - May May AliLittle Horace - Jamal McCantsIrish / Jamaican / Pretty Girl - Malia Dawkins LaLa's Mother - Rena Andrews Nurse Kelly - Riccarda LaceyNovelist's Mother - Sophia Santi Big Daddy Candy Cane - Ulysses BraxtonMotor City J – Taylor BogganCasting
Eileen Mack Knight was in charge of casting for Da Jammies.Broadcast
As of 2016, Da Jammies was streaming in 14 countries on Netflix: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, UK and USA.As of 2021, Da Jammies was no longer available on Netflix.