Rhythm + Flow, Netflix’s first foray into the music competition genre, now has its first trailer. The ten episode series will be released over the course of three weeks, and will see aspiring rappers go head to head to become “the next hip hop sensation.” Renowned artists Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and Tip “T.I.” Harris will serve as the show’s judges. To build its cast, Rhythm + Flow visits New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles as a part of an American Idol style open audition process. As the show progresses beyond these auditions, it will explore different aspects of the music industry in each episode, with some areas of focus being the dynamics of rap battles, music videos and collaborations. In the trailer, Chance the Rapper bills the show as “hip hop’s first legit TV competition.”
All three judges will serve as executive producers on Rhythm + Flow. Joining them as EP’s are John Legend, Ty Stiklorius, Gaspin, Mike Jackson, Jesse Collins, Jeff Pollack, and Nikki Boella. The show is produced by The Get Lifted Film Company, Gaspin Media, and Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The show will defy Netflix’s traditional model of releasing shows en masse, instead embracing a rollout that sees the first four episodes released on October 9th, the next three released October 16th, and the final three added on October 23rd. Per the Hollywood Reporter, this model is intended to build enthusiasm and hype as the series progresses.
Rhythm + Flow was first announced by Netflix in late 2018. In the months that followed, the show taped the mutli-city component that rounded out the show’s core contestants. While the trailer released by Netflix focuses primarily on the excitement of the show’s performances and the dynamic personalities of the judges, there are indications that the show will feature a heavy emotional component rooted in the backstories of contestants. In a tweet during one of the show’s tapings in January, Cardi B hinted at this phenomenon, stating, “This show Rhythm and flow got me in my feelings …I’m so proud of all of these contestants.”
Rhythm + Flow begins its run on Netflix on October 9th.