--- description: Netflix is gunning for network prime-time with 'Rhythm + Flow,' an uncensored rival to family-friendly singing competitions starring Cardi B. title: Netflix's Rhythm + Flow Is TV's Best Music Competition in Years image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltdbf0a92a72b3b5a1/698a03e8096a9406186a715b/raf_104_unit_00314.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Television](/tag/television/) ## Television Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Forget _The Masked Singer_. Netflix's _Rhythm + Flow_ Is the Best Music Competition Show in Years  by [Judy Berman](/author/judy-berman/)  ## Judy Berman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close TV Critic Oct 7, 2019 5:39 PM CUT  L-R: Fat Joe, Cardi B and Jadakiss on 'Rhythm + Flow' L-R: Fat Joe, Cardi B and Jadakiss on 'Rhythm + Flow'Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix  by [Judy Berman](/author/judy-berman/)  ## Judy Berman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close TV Critic Oct 7, 2019 5:39 PM CUT Like a battle rapper tearing into a weakened opponent, Netflix is gunning for the broadcast networks. So far this fall, the streaming giant has disrupted their premiere season with flashy new scripted series like [Ryan Murphy](https://time.com/5667752/ryan-murphy-netflix/ "undefined")’s [_The Politician_](https://time.com/5684050/the-politician-netflix-review-ryan-murphy/ "undefined") and the elevated police procedural [_Unbelievable_](https://time.com/5667707/unbelievable-netflix-review/ "undefined"). But its most direct challenge to network prime-time to date is _Rhythm + Flow_, an uncensored alternative to popular family-friendly singing competitions like _The Voice_ and [_The Masked Singer_](https://time.com/5678611/masked-singer-season-2-costumes/ "undefined"). In a 10-episode season that will roll out over three consecutive Wednesdays starting Oct. 9, the show sends judges [Cardi B](https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217533/cardi-b/ "undefined"), [Chance the Rapper](https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4742682/chance-the-rapper/ "undefined") and T.I. to America’s hip-hop capitals—Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Atlanta—on the hunt for the next big rapper. In an improvement on _American Idol_, the four audition episodes are filmed at real clubs with live audiences, providing a sense of not only the hopefuls’ raw talent, but also their charisma in front of a crowd. In place of Simon Cowell-style nastiness, the preliminary rounds hold your attention with fly-on-the-wall footage of animated conversations between the would-be contestants and stellar guest stars: [Killer Mike](https://time.com/4632668/run-the-jewels/ "undefined"), [Snoop Dogg](https://time.com/5693620/kansas-snoop-dogg/ "undefined"), [Anderson .Paak](https://time.com/5457401/5-songs-you-need-to-listen-to-this-week-67/ "undefined"), Fat Joe, the late Nipsey Hussle. _Rhythm + Flow_ really distinguishes itself once the field is whittled to 30, with a series of challenges that test a range of rap-superstar skills, from collaboration and one-on-one competition to incorporating samples and making music videos. Viewers quickly get a good sense of who each MC is—not just through the interview segments, but because they put so much of themselves into their raps and songs. Women are surprisingly well represented. Hip-hop stereotypes are casually shattered. We meet a glamorous queer mom, a socially conscious teacher giving back to the neighborhood where he grew up, a nerdcore wordsmith who cites Cab Calloway as an influence. “You look like you build computers,” Cardi B tells one guy, “but you did good.” She’s full of these blunt but good-natured reads. In fact, as anyone who’s followed her rise from VH1’s _Love & Hip-Hop_ to chart-topping hitmaker could have predicted, Cardi is the show’s most dynamic presence—a rap-game Lucille Ball with impeccable timing and a bubbly, girlish drawl. She has an intuitive understanding of the role persona plays in pop stardom and little patience for contestants who don’t have stage presence. While Chance and, to a lesser extent, T.I. also offer solid advice, Cardi brings the charm and the punchlines, lending a party vibe to every shot she’s in. Varied episode formats sometimes yields clunkily paced hours; my eyes glazed over during the cypher round, in which all 30 contestants perform and get critiqued. But for the most part the show works because—on top of recruiting a more distinguished panel of judges than any of its broadcast competitors—it captures what makes hip-hop unique. It honors black culture and regional history, incorporating traditions like the rap battle. Judges push contestants to put their whole selves into their lyrics. The magic of songwriting suffuses every episode. TV may be saturated with music competitions, but _Rhythm + Flow_ is one of a kind. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5694270/rhythm-and-flow-netflix-review/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5694270/rhythm-and-flow-netflix-review/"},"headline":"Forget The Masked Singer. 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