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 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 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 NameResult D Smoke Flawless Real Talk Londynn B Troyman Caleb Colossus Sam Be Yourself Ali Tomineek Big Mouf'bo Old Man Saxon
Season 2 competitors NameResult DreTL Jay Taj Sura Ali Detroit Diamond Jaxs Tia P. Yoshi Vintage Rhome (v. Jay Taj) K'Alley (v. DreTL) Būnduke (v. Yoshi Vintage) Honie Gold (v. Tia P.) LG (v. Jaxs) SeeFour (v. Sura Ali) Dono (v. Detroit Diamond) Chyng Diamond, Cody Ray, Jaywop, Lex Lane, Malaynah, Mizzy, Quin Jaye, Tony Da Kidd
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 1 (2019)
Season 2 (2024)
Accolades Award Year Category Result HipHopDX Awards 2019 Best TV Show of the Year 51st NAACP Image Awards 2020 Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Series or Game Show
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.
Notes
References
External links