Rhythm + Flow is a music reality television series on Netflix which premiered on October 9, 2019.[2][3] 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.[4] Because Netflix is not subject to the same censorship regulations as normal broadcast television, competitors were not asked to censor profanity in their lyrics.[1]
Rather than a recording contract, a typical prize in other music competitions, the winner is awarded a US$250,000 cash prize.[1]
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
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.[3] 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.[1]
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.[8] The second season, which features the same three judges, also consists of eight episodes that started airing in May 2023.[9]
An Italian adaptation was announced on June 7, 2023.[10] 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.[11]
Notes
^Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
