Rhythm + Flow
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Rhythm + Flow is a music reality television series on Netflix which premiered on October 9, 2019. It is Netflix's first original music competition program.
In the series, prominent hip-hop artists critique, mentor, and judge unsigned rappers, who are competing to win a US$250,000 prize. In several episodes, the judges are joined by guest judges, who give the competitors additional feedback.
Season 1 featured artists Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I. as the main judges. After multiple delays in production, Season 2 began airing on November 20, 2024, with a new panel of judges featuring DJ Khaled, Ludacris, and Latto.
Development
Rhythm + Flow is the first music competition show developed for Netflix. Because Netflix is not subject to the same censorship regulations as normal broadcast television, competitors were not asked to censor profanity in their lyrics.
Rather than a recording contract, a typical prize in other music competitions, the winner is awarded a US$250,000 cash prize.
Season 1 judges
- Cardi B, an American rapper, actress and television personality
- Chance the Rapper, an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and activist
- T.I., an American rapper, record producer, songwriter, actor, record executive and entrepreneur
- Snoop Dogg
Season 2 judges
- DJ Khaled, an American DJ, record producer, and record executive.
- Latto, an American rapper and singer
- Ludacris, an American rapper and actor
- Detroit rappers Eminem, Royce da 5'9", Big Sean, & Mr. Porter
Season 1 competitors
| Name | Result |
|---|---|
| D Smoke | Winner |
| Flawless Real Talk | Runner-Up |
| Londynn B | Third Place |
| Troyman | Fourth Place |
| Caleb Colossus | 5th |
| Sam Be Yourself | 6th |
| Ali Tomineek | 7th |
| Big Mouf'bo | 8th |
| Old Man Saxon | 9th |
Season 2 competitors
| Name | Result |
|---|---|
| DreTL | Winner |
| Jay Taj | Runner-Up |
| Sura Ali | 3rd |
| Detroit Diamond | 4th |
| Jaxs | 5th |
| Tia P. | 6th |
| Yoshi Vintage | 7th |
| Rhome (v. Jay Taj) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| K'Alley (v. DreTL) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| Būnduke (v. Yoshi Vintage) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| Honie Gold (v. Tia P.) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| LG (v. Jaxs) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| SeeFour (v. Sura Ali) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| Dono (v. Detroit Diamond) | eliminated in Battle Round |
| Chyng Diamond, Cody Ray, Jaywop, Lex Lane, Malaynah, Mizzy, Quin Jaye, Tony Da Kidd | eliminated in Cypher Round |
Release
The first four episodes of Rhythm + Flow were released on October 9, 2019, on Netflix. Three more episodes were released on October 16. The final three were released on October 23. In most Netflix series, all episodes of a season are released at once. Rhythm + Flow uses a more staggered release schedule to approximate the format of a traditional music competition show and build anticipation before the winner is announced.
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | ||
| 1 | 10 | October 9, 2019(2019-10-09) | October 23, 2019(2019-10-23) |
| 2 | 10 | November 20, 2024(2024-11-20) | December 4, 2024(2024-12-04) |
Season 1 (2019)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Guest judges | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Los Angeles Auditions" | Snoop Dogg, Anderson .Paak, Nipsey Hussle | October 9, 2019(2019-10-09) |
| 2 | 2 | "New York Auditions" | Fat Joe, Jadakiss | October 9, 2019(2019-10-09) |
| 3 | 3 | "Atlanta Auditions" | Killer Mike, Quavo, Big Boi | October 9, 2019(2019-10-09) |
| 4 | 4 | "Chicago Auditions" | Twista, Royce da 5'9", Lupe Fiasco | October 9, 2019(2019-10-09) |
| 5 | 5 | "Cyphers" | None | October 16, 2019(2019-10-16) |
| 6 | 6 | "Rap Battles" | Smack | October 16, 2019(2019-10-16) |
| 7 | 7 | "Music Videos" | None | October 16, 2019(2019-10-16) |
| 8 | 8 | "Samples" | DJ Khaled | October 23, 2019(2019-10-23) |
| 9 | 9 | "Collaborations" | Miguel, Ty Dolla $ign, Jhené Aiko, Tory Lanez, Teyana Taylor | October 23, 2019(2019-10-23) |
| 10 | 10 | "Finale" | Hit-Boy, Tay Keith, London on da Track, Sounwave | October 23, 2019(2019-10-23) |
Season 2 (2024)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Guest judges | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "Opportunity Meets Preparation" | Big Sean | November 20, 2024(2024-11-20) |
| 12 | 2 | "Borderline Disrespectful" | Big Sean, Busta Rhymes | November 20, 2024(2024-11-20) |
| 13 | 3 | "Secure Your Slot (Cyphers)" | Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma | November 20, 2024(2024-11-20) |
| 14 | 4 | "Greatness is Greatness (Cyphers)" | Remy Ma | November 20, 2024(2024-11-20) |
| 15 | 5 | "Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rapper (Battles)" | Eminem, Royce da 5'9", Mr. Porter | November 27, 2024(2024-11-27) |
| 16 | 6 | "Points for Originality (Singles)" | Eminem, GloRilla | November 27, 2024(2024-11-27) |
| 17 | 7 | "Be Good or Be Great (Singles)" | GloRilla | November 27, 2024(2024-11-27) |
| 18 | 8 | "Boss Up (Collabs)" | GloRilla, D Smoke | December 4, 2024(2024-12-04) |
| 19 | 9 | "Stay Humble (Collabs)" | D Smoke | December 4, 2024(2024-12-04) |
| 20 | 10 | "Left It On The Floor (Finals)" | John Legend, 30 Roc, Hitmaka, Derrick Milano, Bangladesh | December 4, 2024(2024-12-04) |
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HipHopDX Awards | 2019 | Best TV Show of the Year | Won | |
| 51st NAACP Image Awards | 2020 | Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Series or Game Show | Won | [circular reference] |
Adaptations
Netflix released a French version of the show in June 2022, named "Nouvelle École" (which translates to New School) in France and was branded "Rhythm + Flow France" in Europe, which consisted of a first season of eight episodes. Judges for this spin-off were Marseille based SCH, Paris based Niska and Bruxelles based Shay. The winner of the first season is Fresh LaPeufra, who won by his strong and efficient rap. The single of Fresh from the final “Chop” had a real success in France, reaching 43 million views on YouTube. The show was renewed for a second season in July 2022. The second season, which features the same three judges, also consists of eight episodes that started airing in May 2023.
An Italian adaptation was announced on June 7, 2023. It was released in February 2024, with judges consisted of Fabri Fibra, Geolier, and Rose Villain.
A Polish adaptation of the series was released on May 14, 2025, with Bedoes 2115, Dziarma and Sokół as judges.