The Drop: A Snowfall Saga Review - FX’s Spinoff Enters A Thrilling New Era In

The Drop tells the story of a black family in South-Central Los Angeles at the turn of the 1990s, during the aftermath of the city’s crack cocaine epidemic, and the rise of the West Coast hip-hop scene. It brings back two of Snowfall’s most beloved characters, Gail Bean’s Wanda Bell and Isaiah John’s Leon Simmons.

But the main focus of the series is Wanda’s cousin Lamar Kinsey, a prodigious young musician whose production skills represent her ticket to the top of the music business. Ahead of The Drop’s release on FX and Hulu, those unfamiliar with this era of rap music should acquaint themselves with the basics, as the show doesn’t waste time over-explaining itself.

Immersing us in the world of gangsta rap from the get-go, the series balances unflinching authenticity with genuine warmth, and a deep affection for the period of musical history it dramatizes. If Snowfall became a better crime drama with each passing season, then The Drop continues this upward trajectory, albeit with a handful of missteps along the way.

The Drop: A Snowfall Saga Features A Stunning Breakout Performance

Much like its parent series, The Drop spreads the weight across a talented ensemble cast. Peyton Alex Smith shines with a heartfelt performance as Lamar’s brother James Kinsey, and Mykelti Williamson and Nicki Micheaux keep things grounded as “Big Daddy” and “Mama G” Casey, grandparents and guardians to the two boys.

Meanwhile, Bean anchors the show with a portrayal of Wanda, which brings new depth to the character. She’s managed to stay clean after recovering from her crack addiction in the final season of Snowfall, but remains dependent on Leon, who’s played with quiet maturity by John.

As a result, The Drop is generally lighter in tone than most of Snowfall, although the Kinseys and Caseys have still suffered their fair share of trauma, and street gangs continue to ravage black neighborhoods in LA. There are also supporting characters who inject some menace into proceedings, such as Brandon Mychal Smith’s music mogul Darryl “DG” Grant.

Navigating the territories of trigger-happy Bloods and Crips is an everyday reality for the show’s protagonists, not least in their pursuit of fictional gangsta rap pioneer Artillery. Real-life Compton rapper Buddy is at once enigmatic and electrifying in this well-crafted role. But The Drop ultimately belongs to another breakout star.

As Lamar Kinsey, 24-year-old Asante Blackk is impossible to take your eyes off. Because Lamar is a music-obsessed introvert who doesn’t fully understand himself yet, so much of Blackk’s performance has to reflect internalized emotions through subtle behaviors and short, sharp pieces of dialogue.

It’s a masterclass in contrasts, as Blackk juxtaposes long, doe-eyed bouts of silence with bursts of unbridled anger and hyperactivity. Even before we know Lamar’s story, we’re transfixed by the actor playing him, and ready to empathize with his headstrong disregard for his own safety – and the safety of his family – as a consequence.

Some viewers will recognize Blackk from the cast of Euphoria season 3, or NBC’s landmark family drama This Is Us. But this lead role in The Drop is unquestionably the making of him as an actor, and we should expect to see him take on even bigger parts in the coming years.

This Snowfall Spinoff Expands On Its Parent Show’s Killer Soundtrack

Music was always the unsung hero of Snowfall, so it’s fitting that this spinoff series allows hip-hop to take center stage. From its sample of One Way’s forgotten funk hit “Cutie Pie” to its integration of the evocative R&B classic "I Miss You" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, The Drop more than earns its title’s double meaning.

Even more prominent than these timeless soul tunes are the needle drops straight from West Coast hip-hop, including legends from the era in which the show is set, like DJ Quik and Compton’s Most Wanted, as well as more modern artists like Kendrick Lamar. The most impressive aspect of The Drop’s soundtrack, though, is its original songs.

Thanks to the music of Grammy winner Larrance "Rance 1500" Dopson, and the lyrics of Compton rapper Jason "Problem" Martin, Lamar and Artillery are armed with tracks that sound like they were actually created by aspiring hip-hop artists in LA during the early 1990s. What’s more, Buddy’s lively performances of these compositions turn them into legitimate works of art.

There isn’t one single musical moment in the series that we can place alongside TV’s most iconic needle drops, but The Drop’s rich tapestry of sound is as much a part of its story as any character or plotline. As executive producer Malcolm Spellman puts it, "The soundtrack is the pulse of the show.” (via FX Networks)

Writers of the miniseries have seemingly crafted its storylines around songs, but they never take this approach too far. The Drop’s music is always truly representative of its characters, and vice versa. A jaw-dropping scene during the show’s fifth episode involving guest star Denée Benton makes this point better than any other.

The Drop’s Blend Of Genres Doesn’t Always Ring True, But Feels Authentic Overall

Despite never putting a foot wrong musically, however, The Drop is not without its flaws. Boardroom arguments about whether a record company should invest all its money in hip-hop or grunge feel a little on-the-nose, as does the way a developing love triangle is handled, four episodes in.

Additionally, the decision to pause Lamar and Wanda’s journey suddenly for an entire flashback episode halfway through the series feels somewhat incongruous with the overall tone and pacing of the story. It doesn’t help, either, that the crux of this episode is an incident so far-fetched that even Lamar struggles to get his head around it.

Perhaps the biggest reason for these problems is that The Drop only has eight episodes in which to tell its tale. It’s worth remembering Snowfall had six seasons to become an all-time great on FX.

The spinoff’s main characters are compelling enough to warrant the expansive storylines the series gives them, but it sometimes feels as though there aren’t enough episodes to fit them all in. Episodes occasionally rush through certain subplots, with the result that the show’s innovative blend of music history and family drama doesn’t always knit together.

The Drop: A Snowfall Saga certainly merits further seasons, though, which will give it the opportunity to iron out certain inconsistencies in pacing. In the meantime, the episodes we have make for compulsive viewing, particularly for fans of golden age hip-hop and authentic period dramas.

The first episode of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga debuts on FX and Hulu at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 8, followed by weekly episode releases through October 20.