Da Jammies

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Da Jammies Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Friendship and diversity mark hip-hop-inspired series.

Netflix Kids' Animation 2015
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Parents say

age 5+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Da Jammies centers on five tween friends who dream of taking their hip-hop talents to the top. With a diverse set of characters and their realistic experiences with matters such as bullying and self-esteem concerns, there's a lot to talk about with kids who watch. Expect some mild stereotyping (an overweight African-American eats junk food in excess, for instance) and some bathroom humor. Viewers who aren't familiar with hip-hop music or culture will get a fairly good introduction here, and the music is energetic and fun.

Community Reviews

Lee M.
Lee M. Adult
January 27, 2018
age 9+

Really torn about this show

I woke up this Saturday morning to my kids Jammin like they were at a concert. On one hand I was a proud papa, but then I'm known in the house for making sure I listen to the lyrics of what they're listening to. So after sitting down and watching the show for a couple of episodes with my son, this is my feedback on the show. The show is not all that bad. However I am struggling with allow my kids to watch it. I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old. A four-year-old definitely will not be watching it. On one hand it's awesome to see the show Full of diverse characters like this. My challenges when I see characters over-sexualized like the school nurse who's built like a brick house for no reason at all, it forces me to have to change the channel. The sister was built better than Jessica Rabbit. Now we know that saying and doing way too much. I also questioned some of the stereotyping with African Americans. We see it enough and shows that put us down just for the fun of it, but I think that we could tone it down just a hair with the heavy-set character who eats all the time. Not all heavy people are that way just because they eat all the time. I will say I got to give him props for being very current with his choice of language, styles and characteristics of the character's overall, and positive reflection of the black community. Anytime you hear about a hip hop show, use end up seeing the projects within the next 5 minutes. That didn't happen here which was pretty decent.

This title has:

Too much sex
shon L.
shon L. Adult
October 1, 2017
age 4+

Interesting

The show is decent...great family fun and entertaining. I love how the character are diverse there should be more shows on television like this show that teach young children that its ok to be different, I love that this demonstrate acceptance and tolerance. The themes that The show deals with are relevant. My only complaint is the constant use of slang.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When five middle school students bond over their shared love of music and performance, the result is DA JAMMIES, a one-of-a-kind hip-hop group looking to hit the big time. For now, though, the quintet -- Dolla (voiced by William "Dolla" Chapman II), Novelist (Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton), Momo (Alisa Reyes), Lala (Dani Nicolet), and Seven (Anderson Johnson Jr.) -- will have to make it through their tween years and all the ups and downs they bring.

Is It Any Good?

Inspired by a need for diversity in kids' entertainment, cocreators Hamilton and Chapman envisioned this series as an introduction to the oft-overlooked wholesome values of the hip-hop industry. They've succeeded on both counts, with a cast that reflects the ethnic make-up of its setting and music that's easy on the ears (if hip-hop is your thing, that is) and has decent themes about identity and empowerment.

Because Da Jammies touches on sensitive issues such as bullying and self-esteem, it can start conversations between you and your tweens about topics that might otherwise be tough to raise. In other cases, the issues might be ones your tweens have no experience with (such as a secondary character's homelessness), so you'll have to fill in the gaps for better context.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about diversity on TV. Does this series do a better job than others you watch of representing America's cultural diversity? How does diversity strengthen a community? What challenges does it pose?

  • Do your kids like hip-hop music? Had they heard it before watching Da Jammies? How do different styles of music suit different moods?

  • Kids: Is your self-image affected by who and what you see on TV? Why is it important to embrace what makes you unique?

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