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 (William "Dolla" Chapman II) is a quick-tempered, rapping dancer who believes that Da Jammies do not practice enough. The other co-leader, Novelist (Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton), plays a "peacekeeping" role and always has a solution to help the crew succeed. The other members are Momo (Alisa Reyes), a poet with a bubbly personality; LaLa (Dani Nicolet), a singing diva; and Seven (Anderson Johnson Jr.), a "soulful crooner" who always tries to be helpful. Their nemesis is another group called the Battlebrats, whose leaders Mike Fresh (Kel Mitchell) and Smalls (Shane Tsurugi) 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

Principal cast Character Voice Crew Description Attribute Dolla William "Dolla" Chapman II Co-leader of Da Jammies A fiery-tempered rapper and breakdancer. His musical heroes are Ludacris, Kanye West and Usher. Rapper and breakdancer Novelist Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton Co-leader of Da Jammies Novelist is a high-energy talented rapper. His musical heroes are Jay-Z, Nas and Redman. Rapper and peacekeeper LaLa Dani Nicolet Da Jammies LaLa is a supremely vain, talented and confident R&B singer. Her musical heroes are Rihanna, Brandy, Mya, Janet Jackson and Beyoncé. Singing diva Momo Alisa Reyes Da Jammies Momo is a new-age world spoken artist. Her creative heroes are Nikki Giovanni, Nina Simone, Ursula Rucker and Tracy Chapman. In Episode 3, her real name is revealed to be Vivian. Singing poet Seven Anderson Johnson Da Jammies Seven is an asthmatic soul singer who is the heart of Da Jammies. His musical heroes are Freddie Jackson, Ginuwine, Luther Vandross, Joe, D'Angelo, and Ruben Studdard. Soulful singer

Secondary cast Einny (voiced by Shane Tsurugi) - Resident Genius

Einny 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 (voiced by Darius McCrary) 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 (voiced by Buddy Lewis) 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 (voiced by Kel Mitchell) Non-talented hothead Mike 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 (voiced by Shane Tsurugi) 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. Paulk Kurtis Flow - Kurtis Blow Crazy Craze - James "JJ" Lewis Lady Lark - Rebecca Shoichet Angelique - Kyla Pratt Love Man - Rodney Perry The Magician - Dorien Wilson 8's Mother - Kym Whitley Substitute Teacher - May May Ali Little Horace - Jamal McCants Irish / Jamaican / Pretty Girl - Malia Dawkins LaLa's Mother - Rena Andrews Nurse Kelly - Riccarda Lacey Novelist's Mother - Sophia Santi Big Daddy Candy Cane - Ulysses Braxton Motor City J – Taylor Boggan

Casting Eileen Mack Knight was in charge of casting for Da Jammies.

Episodes

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.

Reception Da Jammies received mixed but favorable reviews upon its debut. Forbes magazine called it "Fame" meets "Josie and The Pussycats". Soul Train deemed it a "First of its kind 3D animated series that combines hip-hop music, dance and fashion". The show received 3 out of 5 stars on Common Sense Media.

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