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Major Lazer (TV series)

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Major Lazer (TV series)
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedOctober 27, 2014; 12 years ago (2014-10-27) (preview); official debut April 16, 2015; 11 years ago (2015-04-16)
FounderDiplo, Ferry Gouw, Kevin Kusatsu
Headquarters
United States
Area served
United States, Canada, Germany
Key people
Diplo, Ferry Gouw, Kevin Kusatsu, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, J. K. Simmons, John Boyega
ProductsAnimated television series
Websitewww.youtube.com/user/MajorLazer

Major Lazer is an American adult animated television series inspired by the electronic music group sharing the same name. The show was developed by DJ and producer Diplo alongside Ferry Gouw and Kevin Kusatsu. It initially aired on FXX with a preview on October 27, 2014, before its official debut on April 16, 2015, as part of the Animation Domination High-Def (ADHD) programming block. Following Stone Quackers, Major Lazer became the second original ADHD series broadcast on the network after Fox ended the block.

Although a second season was greenlit, the series was ultimately discontinued. On September 3, 2016, it was revealed that John Boyega departed to concentrate on his role in the new Star Wars films prior to the show's cancellation. The entire series can be streamed via the Major Lazer official YouTube channel.

Plot

Set in a futuristic world, Major Lazer is a Jamaican superhero equipped with a laser gun replacing his right hand. He confronts dystopian adversaries led by Jamaica’s ruler President Whitewall and his subordinate General Rubbish. Assisting him are Penny Whitewall, the president’s daughter, and Blkmrkt, a skilled hacker.

Production

Development of Major Lazer spanned nearly five years before its premiere. Originally, a pilot was created in 2011 targeting Adult Swim, produced by Williams Street and Titmouse, Inc., but it never aired. The series draws from the musical act Major Lazer, which features animated personas including the eponymous character. Ferry Gouw and John Pham were responsible for art direction during this phase. Around this period, other musicians such as Jay Z and the Odd Future collective also explored television projects for the network; Odd Future’s project evolved into Loiter Squad.

According to Billboard, Major Lazer was slated to premiere on Fox in 2014, featuring soundtrack contributions from Cat Power and Riff Raff. Later reports in 2015 confirmed its launch on FXX. Diplo characterized the extended production timeline as worthwhile to deliver a concise TV experience appealing to both music enthusiasts and animation fans, particularly those attracted to hip-hop, electronic genres, and ’80s cartoon culture—the backdrop influencing Major Lazer’s sound. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who voices Major Lazer, described the show's atmosphere as akin to "being high." The character President Whitewall is voiced by J. K. Simmons, with guest appearances from talents such as Aziz Ansari, Ezra Koenig, Riff Raff, Andy Samberg, and Charli XCX.

Main cast

Guest stars and additional voices

Broadcast and reception

The series debuted on April 16, 2015. Although the third album from Major Lazer was originally slated for release around the same time, it was delayed until June 1. Prior to the official launch, a special preview episode was shown on FXX on October 27, 2014. Erik Adams of The A.V. Club awarded the show a B grade, commending its visuals that evoke the style of 1980s Saturday-morning cartoons and noting the writing as strong, though somewhat conventional.

In Canada, Teletoon at Night aired the program at 11:15pm EST during 2016.

Between 2018 and 2020, the series was broadcast intermittently on ProSieben Fun in Germany.

Further reading

  • Douglas, Wolk (May 19, 2015). "Diplo on How Major Lazer Took Over Late-Night Animation". Rolling Stone.
  • Ali, Reyan (April 16, 2015). "The Warped, Weed-Fueled World of the Major Lazer Cartoon". Wired.

External links

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