Twelve years ago, Drumline introduced audiences to New York City troublemaker and drummer Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) who gets a scholarship to attend the fictitious Atlanta A&T University, which takes its marching band very seriously. And now, there's more Drumline on the way.
VH1 has announced that Cannon will produce their made-for-TV quasi-sequel, which will focus on a new set of characters at a fictional New Orleans university. (Avatar actress Zoe Saldana and Sleepy Hollow's breakout star Orlando Jones both appeared alongside Cannon in the original.) VH1's Drumline: A New Beat will follow Dani Bolton from an upper class home in Brooklyn who heads south to join – and revitalize – her college's once-prominent drumline in the hopes of becoming its first female section leader in the school's history.
And if you're not familiar with original, here are 27 reasons to get acquainted (or reacquainted) before the sequel makes its VH1 debut this fall.
1. Because it centers on a high school senior who rebels by mixing it up on the drums during an intrsumental rendition of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" at graduation.
No, sir. YOU knock that off.
2. He also really loves his mom.
3. And he's basically the king of the duckface.
But in an ironic way.
4. Plus, Devon's self-assured...
5. And he's the first to reach out when someone goes out on a limb.
6. Oh, good morning, Orlando Jones.
7. Drumline also promotes the message of unity.
8. And girl power.
9. And that there are serious consequences to your actions.
10. And that sometimes, there are even worse consequences.
11. Because "The Thong Song" is referenced.
Sorry, Sisquo.
12. Also, Zoe Saldana does this dance while wearing a ginormous butterfly clip.
13. And this is probably the reason why "beef" had to be retired.
SO. GOOD.
14. Oh, and check out these formations.
15. And this step dancing.
16. And this incredibly fierce drum-off that you didn't even know was a thing until you saw one go down.
17. It also teaches us that everyone has their weak spots.
18. Making love to your instruments metaphorically is important.
19. And that pointing a drumstick in someone's eye, but not actually poking them is a great way to break the ice.
20. Because even the greatest of enemies can learn to work together.
21. But if you can't, this is a great way to tell someone off.
22. And so is this.
23. Also, turns out, there are a lot of ways to throw shade if you're in a percussion section. Like faux drinking out of red Solo cups.
24. And dropping your drumsticks on someone else's drums.
25. Seriously though, who knew the cymbals could be so bad-ass?
26. Lest we forget the Drumline soundtrack also brought us this jem.
View this video on YouTube
27. And Petey Pablo of "Raise Up" fame, who inexplicably appeared to perform at the end with one of the opposing collegiate marching bands.
TBH, I forgot until I rewatched this movie.