Chance is faced with the most 25 and under seen thus far, but them Chicago/Mid-west kids got stories to tell and damn if they won’t make you bop your head.


Network
Netflix
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/9/2019
Introduced This Episode
Herself Kaylee Crossfire
Himself Sam Be Yourself
Herself Sasha Go Hard
Himself Nikee Turbo
Himself Ariyon
Herself Big Mouf’Bo
Himself Jae Ham
Himself Jakob Campbell
Himself Yung Water

Images and text in this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission or products from the company.

Recap

You Stumbled, But You Going To LA: Kaylee Crossfire, Sam Be Yourself, Sasha Go Hard, Nikee Turbo

Whether you been doing it so long that Chance and the rest know you, like Sasha Go Hard, or you show you ain’t new to the game like Kaylee Crossfire, you can stumble. After all, between bouncing around too much like Nikee Turbo, or your energy not being consistent like Sam Be Yourself, you can show signs why the road to stardom hasn’t been smooth for you. However, following TI, Chance lets a lot of people go in either due to potential, or because they were some of the first who went up.

The Kids Are Alright: Ariyon, Big Mouf’Bo, Jae Ham

Troi reacting to someone making fun of her.
Troi didn’t get in, but this moment was hilarious.

But, to much surprise, while those 25 and up struggled to a point, those 24 and under brought that fire. Big Mouf’Bo, for example, she didn’t have to audition with the rest. Chance heard her, with Lupe Fiasco, and said never mind her having to try out twice. She went straight to LA.

However, while Big Mouf’Bo was good, Jae Ham and Ariyon, both 18, with Ariyon still in high school and Jae Ham in his first year of college, they may blow you away. For whether we talking about Jae’s not relying too much on cursing or the n-word to get through his set or Ariyon’s, if he is going to be energetic, he needs better breath control, the fact they got it that together is impressive.

Always Saving The Best For Last: Jakob Campbell

Jakob, like quite a few, is a rapper who can tell a story with his lyrics. Also, like too damn many, he raps so damn fast you’d think he is trying to be the next Twista, who was one of the judges. However, between slowing it down when he needed to, throwing in a Jill Scott line, and being one of the first who seemed like he had an actual song ready for a video and to be marketed, you can see why he went last. He, like most of those who have gone last, just needed a platform that made it so he wasn’t one of millions but one of a few.

Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs

My biggest enemy is my inner me.
— Ariyon

[…] this ain’t nowhere where I want to be, but it’s bigger than what I’m supposed to been at.
— Ariyon

Other Noteworthy Facts, Moments, and Random Thoughts

  • Why is this the only episode, of the home city auditions, that didn’t feature the city in the title card?
  • They going to encourage some of them to change their rap names, right?
  • Who going to monitor all these kids?

Review


Community Rating: 3% (2 votes)

Highlights

They Were Consistently Good & Chances Choices Seemed Sound

When it came to T.I. and definitely Cardi, there were a lot of people who went through that you had to question, “Could they really be successful?” Even thinking back to the LA auditions, there is the need to wonder if, at best, they could find a niche or not? However, to much surprise, for me anyway, Chicago had some good ass rappers.

Now, admittedly, maybe it is because my taste is more geared towards rappers who tell a story, have energy, and got meaning behind their lyrics, like Nas, but aren’t are chill as Common. But, be it the way this episode was edited or just who showed up, it seemed that as much as NYC gets props for starting things, and ATL is seen as the new Mecca, Chicago shouldn’t be slept on.

Royce Da 5’9” Seems Like He Should Be A Judge

Royce Da 5'9" talking to chance about what someone is doing on stage.

Yo, to me, Royce is someone needed for he talked about technique and made this whole process less superficial. For with Chance so meek in his criticism or compliments, it makes Royce’s commentary, especially when it came to acts like Yung Water, show you how he might be more serious about his one-time role than chance. Someone who, let’s be honest, as a Christian rapper, is a niche. Someone who, has respect from his peers, hence them voting for him to get multiple Grammys.

However, who would look at Chance and see tastemaker, or see him as someone who could make them a lot of money? As spoken on in the latest episode of “Getting Ignorant With It” (coming out soon), while you have to respect his hustle, is he really someone, outside of Chicago, who gets much in the way of props?

Chance Bringing Storytellers Into The Contest

With that said, I must admit that Chance not focusing on who had the catchiest lines, just those who had a good story to tell, flow, and could work the beat, that did recover his credibility a little bit. It reminded you that each one is coming from a different mindset and while Cardi is thinking social media come up, T.I. is geared towards how commercial you are, and longevity, Chance, since he hasn’t reached the heights of Cardi or T.I., and considering the judges he had, seems more geared towards, can you find a niche.

After all, we got a whole lot of rappers like Cardi, and I’m sure many come to mind. Also, when it comes to trap, the drug game, and violence, you can think of a lot who may resemble T.I.’s discography. However, those who venture beyond that? Those people are usually word of mouth since they don’t hit the top of the Hot 100, unless they are doing a feature. So here is to Chance trying to give niche rappers the chance to expand and show storytelling, and the p in rap (Rap = rhythm and poetry – to my knowledge) hasn’t become lost.

On The Fence

Being Reminded That This Competition Isn’t For Everyone

I will probably not get past Yung Water, and it isn’t because I think he’d win or even get past the first elimination. My thing is, Nu Metal, or the kind of work we’ve seen with Linkin Park, Korn, and others, hasn’t really been showcased with Black and Brown artist. Instead, when it comes to rap, the farthest it goes, on the eccentric or different side, is what we see come out of Atlanta. Otherwise, as this show has showcased, the looks are similar, lyrics are similar, and a lot of people more so blend in than necessarily stick out.

Which is one of the growing problems with Hip-Hop/ Rap. It’s not that it needs more depth, it needs to be fun, or mumble rap has made annunciation seem secondary, the problem is that everyone looks similar, sounds similar, and people trying to step out of the box is solely through their look. Hence why Lil Nas X has been successful since, while “Old Town Road” wouldn’t have been a hit if people had to physically pay for it, as a track which could chart based on streams, you get easy access to someone who shifted the game a bit.

Yung Water raising up his baby doll head.
Yung Water

Not to imply there aren’t country rappers, or rappers with a bit of a twang to their music. It’s just, like Yung Water, those who do something different rarely surpass their niche genre and make it nationally, or internationally – in a big way.

Rhythm + Flow Directory

Creator

John Legend, Jeff Gaspin, Jesse Collins

Character Guide

Created

Collected Quotes

Created

Current Status

Active

Where To Buy, Rent, or Stream?
Netflix

Season Reviews

Season 1
Check Out The TV Series & Specials Page
Season/ EpisodeSynopsisEpisode InformationTopics & Focused Characters
Season 1, Episode 10 “Finale” [Season Finale]On the season finale, family members are gathered, budgets explode, and the winner of season 1 of Rhythm + Flow is given $250,000 – with no strings attached.
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/23/2019
  • The First Eliminated: Troyman
  • The Second Eliminated: Londynn B
  • There Can Only Be One: Flawless Real Talk, D Smoke
Season 1, Episode 9 “Collaborations”Some of R&B’s biggest names join our up and coming stars, and one person stumbles during their performance. Can you guess who?
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/23/2019
Introduced This Episode
Himself Miguel
Herself Jhené Aiko
Herself Teyana Taylor
Himself Ty Dolla $ign
Himself Tory Lanez
  • You Gotta Have Fun With It: Miguel, D Smoke, Ty Dolla $ign, Troyman, Caleb Colossus, Tory Lanez
  • Get Sexy With It: Jhené Aiko, Flawless Real Talk
  • Will One F*** Up Ruin An Opportunity?: Teyana Taylor, Londynn B, Caleb Colossus
Season 1, Episode 8 “Samples”Alongside learning who got cut, we get a taste of what these rappers can cook up real quick when the pressure is on.
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/23/2019
  • Can’t Impress Everyone: Caleb, Sam Be Yourself
  • The Respect Of Your Peers Is Worth It All: Flawless Real Talk, Troyman, Londynn B, D Smoke
  • Elimination Time
Season 1, Episode 5 “Cyphers”While it isn’t clear why a cypher was needed, since many popular rappers wouldn’t be able to do so, this is a competition and contestants have to be put through the ringer.
Director(s) Iren Brown
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/16/2019
Introduced This Episode
Himself C.Rose
Herself Maddiemook
Herself AJ, The One
Himself King Vvibe
Himself King Los
  • Who Are These People?: C.Rose, Maddiemook, AJ The One, King Vvibe
  • Let The Cyphers Begin
  • There Can Only Be 16
Season 1, Episode 6 “Rap Battles”This episode, they got the contestants battle rapping, and while we lose some good ones, others get reminded many need that $250,000.
Director(s) Iren Brown
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/16/2019
  • You Really Aren’t About This Rap Battle Life Are You?: Felisha George, Caleb Colossus, Big Mouf’Bo, Rae Khalil, Ali, Ariyon
  • You Said Who Won?: Old Man Saxon, D Smoke, Jakob, Troyman
  • I CAME TO BATTLE: Londynn B, Inglewood IV, King Vvibe, Sam Be Yourself, Beanz, Flawless Real Talk
Season 1, Episode 7 “Music Videos”Rhythm + Flow goes beyond what most of its competition does and shows us what these artists are selling. Question is, you buying?
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/16/2019
  • The Judges Are Iffy: Troyman, Caleb, Big Mouf’Bo
  • Take My Money: D Smoke, Flawless Real Talk, Londynn B
  • Because What Show Doesn’t Have Cliffhangers?: Ali, Sam Be Yourself
Season 1, Episode 4 “Chicago Auditions”Chance is faced with the most 25 and under seen thus far, but them Chicago/Mid-west kids got stories to tell and damn if they won’t make you bop your head.
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/9/2019
Introduced This Episode
Herself Kaylee Crossfire
Himself Sam Be Yourself
Herself Sasha Go Hard
Himself Nikee Turbo
Himself Ariyon
Herself Big Mouf’Bo
Himself Jae Ham
Himself Jakob Campbell
Himself Yung Water
  • You Stumbled, But You Going To LA: Kaylee Crossfire, Sam Be Yourself, Sasha Go Hard, Nikee Turbo
  • The Kids Are Alright: Ariyon, Big Mouf’Bo, Jae Ham
  • Always Saving The Best For Last: Jakob Campbell
Season 1, Episode 3 “Atlanta Auditions”We head down to the ATL, and unlike NYC, no one dares bring their sob stories. Instead, many just rap like they trying to compete with Twista or Busta Rhymes.
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/9/2019
Introduced This Episode
Herself Amavi
Himself Caleb Colossus
Himself Baddnews
Himself 2’Live Bre
Himself Troyman
Herself Londynn B
  • Some Got Potential But Had To Be Put On Notice: Amavi, Caleb Colossus, Baddnews
  • Skinny Dudes Stay Winning: 2’Live Bre, Troyman
  • There Can Only Be One: Londynn B
Season 1, Episode 2 “New York Auditions”Cardi B hits up S.O.B.’s in New York to find some talent, and… she may have found one that won’t just fill a slot but could also win.
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/9/2019
Introduced This Episode
Herself $avannah Hannah
Herself Kay Makavel
Herself Beanz
Himself Cakes Da Killa
Herself Felisha George
Himself Onetake Carter
Himself Flawless Real Talk
Himself Jadakiss
Himself Fat Joe
  • These Sob Stories Gotta Stop: $avannah Hannah, Kay Makavel
  • All My Life I Had To Fight: Beanz, Cakes Da Killa, Felisha George, Onetake Carter
  • The Only One Whose Name Rings True: Flawless Real Talk
Season 1, Episode 1 “Los Angeles Auditions” [Series Premiere]Rhythm & Flow begins with the need to question, to be rap’s next big superstar, what’s more important: Lyricism, being a performer, or accessible to a white audience?
Director(s) Sam Wrench
Writer(s) N/A
Air Date 10/9/2019
Genre(s) Musical, Competition
Good If You Like Hip-Hop/ Rap Music
Introduced This Episode
Himself Tip “T.I.” Harris
Herself Cardi B
Himself Chance The Rapper
Himself Snoop Dogg
Himself Nipsey Hussle
Himself Anderson .Paak
Herself Rae Khalil
Himself Ali Tomineek
Himself D Smoke
Himself Old Man Saxon
Himself Inglewood IV
They Were Consistently Good & Chances Choices Seemed Sound - 85%
Royce Da 5’9” Seems Like He Should Be A Judge - 95%
Chance Bringing Storytellers Into The Contest - 86%
Being Reminded That This Competition Isn’t For Everyone - 75%

85%


Subscribe To Hear About Our Latest Posts

* indicates required
Email Format

View previous campaigns.

We use a third-party vendor (MailChimp) to send out newsletters featuring the latest posts from our authors. You will be asked to confirm you understand this and confirm you wish to receive e-mails from Wherever I Look.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.


Follow Wherever I Look on Twitter and Instagram, Like us on Facebook, and Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.

Community Rating: 3% (2 votes)

What Would Your Rating Be?

Negative Mixed Positive Recommended

3 Comments

  1. I agree with you some much here : “Yo, to me, Royce is someone needed for he talked about technique and made this whole process less superficial. For with Chance so meek in his criticism or compliments…”

  2. I really enjoyed Yung Water, I felt like they shouldve given him a chance, it was different but different in a interesting and good way. Rap needs variety, i agree it is all starting to sound the same and blend in. It would be cool to have a Billie Elish of rap music you know.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.