About Drumline

Drumline is a 2002 American musical drama film directed by Charles Stone III. The screenplay, written by Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps, focuses on a Harlem street drummer from New York, who enters a southern university and expects to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. However, his brash attitude puts him in opposition with the strict band director.

Making/Production

The movie was produced by Dallas Austin and Jody Gerson, with story by Austin and Gordon. The filming was done mostly in Atlanta, Georgia, on the campus of Morris Brown College. It also featured a cameo from Petey Pablo and Orlando Jones.

Actors

• Nick Cannon as Devon Miles, a Harlem street drummer who becomes the star of his college's drumline. His character was known for his talent and ego.
• Zoe Saldana as Laila, the love interest of Devon's who is also the dance captain of the school's dance line.
• Orlando Jones as Dr. Lee, the strict and dedicated band director who clashes with Devon throughout the movie.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• The stick tricks performed in the film are real with no CGI enhancement.
• Nick Cannon had to endure a month-long boot camp in Atlanta to learn drumming.
• The final scene was filmed at Atlanta's Georgia Dome during the 2001 Honda Battle of the Bands competition.

Awards

The movie was nominated for over 10 awards in different categories. Nick Cannon won the Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for "Best Performance by a Youth in a Leading or Supporting Role - Male".

Quotes

• "One band, one sound." - Dr. Lee
• "Our job is to make sure the band is so tight, the crowd can't sit down." - Devon Miles
• "You're not just any drum major, you're the drum major for the A&T marching band." - Devon Miles

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's soundtrack was produced by Dallas Austin and includes performances by The Treachmen, N.E.R.D, Monica, Cherish, Jill Scott, and others.
• The song 'Shout it Out', performed by the film's band was featured during the final competition.
• The soundtrack went gold in the United States and peaked at number 61 on the Billboard 200.