After much speculation, news came earlier this week that Netflix has renewed Rhythm + Flow for a second season. The popular competitive MC showcase is also poised to bring back Chance The Rapper, Cardi B, and Tip T.I. Harris as hosts/judges. While no official release date is set, the word is the show will return sometime in 2021!
That leaves us plenty of time to postulate and theorize about what to expect come the second season. If the producers are smart, they will listen to public critiques and rectify the show's biggest shortcomings. Let's help them out by highlighting Rhythm + Flow's 10 best episodes, according to IMDb below!
New York Auditions (S1E2) 7.1/10
Hip-hop originated in the Boogey Down Bronx borough of New York in the 1970s. Why then have audiences given the New York episode of R+F the lowest rating of the series so far?
Not to besmirch anyone's rep, but perhaps it has something to do with Cardi B as judge/host, an overnight success without the requisite expertise. Jada Kiss and Fat Joe were brought in to compensate for such, but the show still scored low marks.
Atlanta Auditions (S1E3) 7.3/10
For the Dirty South auditions, the unofficial mayor of Atlanta T.I. was entrusted to preside over the process. T.I. travels to Killer Mike's SWAG shop to find the next hot southern spitters.
For help, T.I. brings in OutKast's Big Boi and Quavo to help him with the procession. In the end, the judges anoint Londynn B as the winner of the audition, the eventual third-place winner of the season.
Cyphers (S1E5) 7.4/10
Cyphers are meant to showcase a collection of emcees' stamina and the ability to rap off the dome. Yet judging by the third-lowest rating of the season, these cyphers sort of sucked!
Whittling the contestants down to 30, the midway point of the season gives the rappers the opportunity to demonstrate their raw skill to freestyle off the top of the head. Broken into small groups, the rappers must show they can stand out in a crowd of collaborators. Some stumble while others soar, making for a pretty dynamic episode.
Music Videos (S1E7) 7.7/10
By the seventh episode of the season, most of the major contestants had been narrowed down. As a reward, they're given stacks of dough (roughly $30k if we aren't mistaken) to produce their own expensive, professional-looking music video.
The final eight emcees are tasked with going home, holing up and writing the best hit song they possibly can. The song must not only sound catchy to the ear, but the music video must also tell a personal story and truly represent the artist's vision as well.
Los Angeles Auditions (S1E1) 7.8/10
The premiere episode of R+F brought out heavy hitters in the form of Snoop Dog and Anderson Paak to find the first emcees out of Los Angeles. It also introduced us to the eventual season 1 winner, D Smoke (Daniel Farris). Smoke and Snoop? We should have known!
Of course, looking back, the most salient part of the episode is the inclusion of the late Nipsey Hussle mere months before he was gunned-down in real life.
Samples (S1E8) 7.9/10
Sampling old records for the use of creating new sounds has always been a staple of hip-hop production. For the antepenultimate chapter of R+F season 1, the emcees were tasked with choosing the perfect sample to lay their lyrics over.
With just 48 hours to write an original radio banger, the pressure is on each emcee to pick the perfect sample to echo their style. Once the songs are completed, the eight emcees must perform them in front of a packed live-studio audience.
Rap Battles (S1E6) 8.2/10
For true battle rap fans, it was a pleasant sight to see Smack White, aka Mr. URL, host the sixth episode of R+F!
Indeed, the face and host of the Ultimate Rap League (URL) presided over the battle rap segment of the show, in which the remaining 16 emcees broken into pairs with one objective: hurt each others' feelings! The judges return to score the battles as the emcees hurl personal insults at one another in poetic form. While most acquitted themselves just fine, don't expect Smack, Beasley, Chico, and Norbes to give them a call anytime soon!
Chicago Auditions (S1E4) 8.3/10
For the Chi-Town auditions, Chance the Rapper recruited some of the best lyricist-judges of the entire series. Indeed, when Royce Da 5'9'', Lupe Fiasco and Twista speak with authority, we listen!
As a result, the episode is ranked the third highest in series so far, according to IMDb voters. As the Chicago emcees showcase their talents, the judges prioritize originality, stage presence, and lyrical acrobatics above all else. In the end, two Chicago emcees make the final eight: Sam Be Yourself (6th) and Big Mouf-Bo (8th).
Collaborations (S1E9) 8.4/10
In the penultimate episode of R+F, the eight remaining emcees were given the prime opportunity to collaborate with an established mainstream artist. Everyone from Miguel and Ty Dolla $ign to Jhene Aiko, Teyana Taylor, and Tory Lanez participated!
Host by John Legend, the nerves skyrocket along with the stakes as the rappers attempt to prove they belong on the stage with international music stars. Some soar, others fail, and in the end, only the series finale can determine a winner!
Finale (S1E10) 8.7/10
Speaking of the finale, it only makes sense it ranks the highest among IMDb users. The episode not only the culmination of 10 hard weeks of work, but also boasts the coronation of the first, second, and third place winners. Moreover, the episode showcased every skill the emcees accumulated over the preceding weeks.
In the end, Inglewood emcee D Smoke (Daniel Farris) was named winner of Rhythm + Flow Season 1. Flawless Real Talk took the silver, Londynn B the bronze, followed by Troyman, Caleb Colossus, Sam Be Yourself, Ali Tomineek, and Big Mouf'Bo. Most hip-hop connoisseurs feel the best emcee was chosen as the winner!