A new series based on DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s early life in West Philadelphia is in the works
The show, a coproduction between Westbrook Studios and the Malar Group, will tell the story of the rap duo's early years.
“In West Philadelphia born and raised ...” is on its way to becoming more than opening bars of the classic NBC comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
It’s going to be the backdrop of Will Smith’s latest project, a drama based on the early years of Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose real name is Jeffrey Townes. The show will chronicle their rise to fame from being West Philly kids to the Grammy winning rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
Smith’s company Westbrook Studios is launching a new slate of film and television projects with the Malar Group, founded by Sayan Navaratnam, according to an article in Deadline. The show, 215, is the first project to emerge from the partnership.
The drama is sure to feature all things West Philly in the 1980s and early 1990s, from the tightknit rowhouse neighborhoods to the roar of the El.
We will see how Smith chose his moniker The Fresh Prince and how he talked his way into performing with Jazzy Jeff at house parties and block parties. We also expect to see trips to the Gallery and weekends at the Belmont Plateau.
The series, Deadline reported, will also introduce us to Smith’s and Townes’ friends, so we know Charlie Mack aka Charles Alston will be at hand. Perhaps we will see how Charlie Mack rose from being Smith’s friend, to his body guard, to ultimate man about town.
The show will follow the duo as they chase record deals, figure out how to work with labels, and finally come up with the 1989 hit, “Parent’s Just Don’t Understand,” that ultimately helped them win hip-hop’s first Grammy.
Real Philadelphians, however, want to see how they recorded 1988’s “A Brand New Funk,” still considered by many as the duo’s best track, with 1991’s “Summertime” a close second.
215 is the latest scripted series to be based on Smith’s early life. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, loosely based on his upbringing, ran on NBC from 1990 to 1996. Bel-Air, a reimagined version of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, ran for four seasons on Peacock. It starred West Philadelphia born Jabari Banks as Smith and ended with a cameo of Smith who visits his teenage self before Smith (Banks) returns to Philly.
More details on the show’s start date or platform have not been announced.
