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With more content at your fingertips than ever before, it can be difficult to find the perfect series to binge on during a relaxing weekend. Luckily for music fans, the content boom has provided a steady stream of music-themed shows, covering everything from art and production to behind-the-scenes drama and more.
If musicals are your genre of choice, there’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”, “Schmidadon!,” “Get up” and “Katy Kean.” For a more in-depth look at the history of music, check out “Hip: Evolution of Hops,” “This Is Pop” and “Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music”. When it’s time for drama, “Roadies,” “Monarch” and “queens“you covered.
From prestige dramas about post-Katrina New Orleans to a steamy comedy about estranged friends who form a rap duo, there are countless new and classic musical series to enjoy. Here are eight music shows to add to your watchlist.
Treme (2010)
Set in one of the oldest black American neighborhoods in the United States, this critically acclaimed HBO drama offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of residents of the Tremé neighborhood as they navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Featuring a talented ensemble of actors and musicians, “Treme” is a must-watch for music lovers and fans of prestige dramas, who will appreciate the seamless blend of drama, musicality and authenticity. The series, which ran for four seasons, features standout musical performances from esteemed musicians like Elvis Costello, Jon BatisteSoul Rebels Brass Band, Shawn Colvin and Jon Boutte, plus show frontman Wendell Pierce (who learned to play trombone for the role).
Fans of “The Wire” will notice a few familiar names in the credits (including co-creator David Simon) and feature plenty of alumni from the iconic series, including Clarke Peters, James Ransone and Edwina Finley.
Vinyl (2016)
Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll are a recipe for disaster in this HBO drama produced by Martin ScorseseTerence Winters and Mick Jagger. Set in early ’70s New York City, “Vinyl” focuses on the trials and tribulations of Richie (Bobby Cannavale), the president/founder of a failing record label who failed to keep up fast times. The short-lived series deftly blends fiction and music history – in the pilot, Richie tries to convince Robert Plant to Led Zeppelin signing with his label just before the band played Madison Square Garden. (The real Led Zeppelin also played at the Garden in 1973.)
Jagger’s influence can be heard throughout the show’s soundtrack, which includes songs by Otis Redding, Ruth Brown and Ty Taylor, among many others. From interactions with Andy Warhol to partying hard with Bowie and Lou ReedJagger’s personal experiences are interspersed, lending authenticity to the period drama.
Other highlights include Olivia Wilde’s energetic portrayal of Richie’s wife, Devon, a free-spirited former factory girl who is frustrated with suburban life and ready to go wild. Ray Romano, Juno Temple, Max Casella, Jack Quaid and Susan Heyward round out the cast.
Sherman’s Showcase (2017)
For a hilarious walk down memory lane, the first season of “Sherman’s Showcase” is where it’s at. Inspired by “Soul Train,” “American Bandstand” and “In Living Color,” this comedy series from IFC explores the history of a long-running fictional musical variety show, with themed episodes that range from the ’70s to the late 2010s. Like all major musical variety shows, “Sherman’s Showcase” is hosted by a charismatic host, Sherman, played by the show’s co-creator, Bashir Salahuddin. With his trademark afro and dark undertones, Sherman is a velvety-voiced, entertaining schemer who is constantly at the center of the show’s drama — most of which he creates — and successfully channels the late host’s sweet demeanor.” Soul Train” Don Cornelius.
Hip-hop and R&B fans will enjoy the show’s nostalgic musical references as well as cameos and performances from high-profile musicians, actors, and comics. CommonMorris Day, Ne-Yo, john legend (who produces the show), Marlon Wayans, Tiffany Haddish and Mario Van Peeples all appear on “Sherman’s Showcase”. Rapper Vic Mensa stars as a Prince-inspired character named Charade in one of the season’s most memorable episodes. His performance ofVicki, is the water warm enoughis a catchy parody that uses an opening line from Prince’s “Computer Blue.” The song is not only hilarious, but also demonstrates a real appreciation and understanding of the source material.
The show’s first season is available to stream, and you can catch new episodes when the second season premieres on AMC+ and IFC in October.
Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019)
This Hulu coming-of-age series chronicles the formation of the groundbreaking hip-hop crew from Staten Island, New York, told through the lens of RZAseries co-creator/original Wu Tang member. Set during the crack epidemic of the 90s, the coming-of-age drama centers on young Bobby Diggs, aka RZA, as he assembles a group of aspiring rappers from his neighborhood – each struggling against its own demons – to form the legendary hip-hop collective.
Drawing inspiration from “The Wire,” the show incorporates drug addiction, drug distribution, and street violence into its narrative, pitting pre-famous Wu-Tang members against each other in such ways that it seems miraculous that they ended up making music and touring. the world together.
While the drama is compelling on its own, hip-hop heads will also dig into the special milestones scattered throughout – for example, in the show’s pilot, a pre-famous RZA (played by Moonlight‘s Ashton Sanders) produces the beats for the band’s classic “Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber,” in his makeshift studio.
High Fidelity (2020)
Before her epic turn as Catwoman in The BatmanZoe Kravitz starred in a Hulu reboot of the 1999 cult classic High fidelity, as a reimagined version of John Cusack’s iconic, music-loving character. In the rom-com series, Kravitz plays Rob, a record store owner in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, who lives his life his own way. Music aficionado, serial dater, and dear friend to store clerks Clyde and Cherise (played by Da’Vine scene-stealer Joy Randolph), Rob’s musical infatuations, Top 5 lists, and love life filled drama series offers viewers both drama and laughs as well as something to relate to.
Kudos to the show’s elite team of music supervisors – which includes the GRAMMY winner quest love — who curated an inspired mix of popular and lesser-known tracks that complement the show’s themes while giving you a jaw-dropping time. Minnie RippertonSergei, Wastwomxn, Bad Brains, Replacements, David Bowie, Mavis John and Luther Vandross are among the featured artists of the series.
Julie and the Ghosts (2020)
Julie (Madison Reyes) is a teenage musician who struggles to reclaim music after her mother’s death, when she encounters three teenage ghosts from an emerging ’90s pop-rock band whose lives were cut short just before their big break. When the ghost rockers discover that people can hear them playing music, they enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with Julie to help each other’s dreams come true.
This lighthearted comedy-drama is a great family meal with a catchy pop-rock soundtrack and original songs performed by the show’s talented young actors who also sing and play their own instruments. The upbeat and catchy “Now or Never” serves as a great intro to the story and Reyes’ voice shines in the fan favorite.”Edge of the Great“, which sets the stage for a deeper emotional connection between Julie and Luke (Charlie Gillespie).
Gun (2022)
This six-part electric miniseries chronicles the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols, an iconic British punk rock band that set the music world ablaze in the ’70s with their bold sound and controversial lyrical content. Told through the guitarist’s lens Steve Jones, “Pistol” is an energetic watch that highlights the band’s ups and downs, from hit singles and instant notoriety to constant clashes and self-destruction. The limited series is a little brighter and sweeter than the non-fiction documentary about the band, The Dirt and the Furybut retains a certain edginess thanks to Danny Boyle’s direction and Anson Boons’ lively portrayal of lead singer Johnny Rotten.
Fans of ’70s rock and pop will love the show’s soundtrack, which features some of the Sex Pistols’ greatest hits alongside tracks from music legends like David Bowie, quincy jones, WHOOtis Redding and the suitors.
Rap Sh!t (2022)
“305, we live!” sums up the spirit of this show produced by Issa Rae which follows the trajectory of two rising rappers from Miami. Shawna (Aida Osman) is a part-time hotelier and hustler who dreams of becoming a conscious rapper. After reuniting with her friend Mia (KaMillion), an outspoken host, they join forces to form a rap duo à la City Girls (which also produces the show). Miami rap is at the heart of every episode, and songs by Trina, Trick Daddy and other rap legends from the area anchor the show’s soundtrack.
When developing the sound of the HBO Max comedy, the show’s musical supervisors took inspiration from various female rappers. “Issa & Syreeta [“Rap Sh!t” showrunner] I really wanted to root the sound in Miami and showcase MC’s female voices,” Sarah Bromberg, one of the show’s music supervisors, says GRAMMY.com. “Obviously the City Girls were a big inspiration. Miami legends like Trina, Trick Daddy and Rick Ross were influences as well as up-and-coming artists from Florida like Naughty SantanaHood Brat, Kiddo Marv and Tokyo Jetz.”
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