Netflix dropped the second batch of episodes for Rhythm & Flow this week and we went behind the scenes with Season 2 judges DJ Khaled, Latto and Ludacris.
Source: Courtesy / Netflix
Following in the footsteps of Season 1 judges T.I., Chance the Rapper and Cardi B, the trio said watching the first season had them extremely excited to meet the challenge of crowning a brand new rap champion for the masses.
“I was a big fan so when they presented me with opportunity judge I was like hell yeah,” Latto told BOSSIP
“I definitely watched season 1, it made me want to do the show, I felt the energy,” Khaled detailed. “Even if you didn’t watch it, I felt the energy right and it made me go watch it and that’s what it’s about, saying it represents hip hop and getting a chance to work with Latto and Luda again.”
You may recall Season 1 winner D Smoke was a standout on the show from the beginning, but if you’ve been following Season 2, the competition has been extremely tight, forcing the judges to make tough decisions about who to keep and who to eliminate.
“I checked out Season 1 and it was seemed like a little more definitive of who everyone thought should win that particular season,” Ludacris added. “Whereas this one is a little different, let’s just say that because it was it came down to about four people that I’m sure the whole world will argue about and we knew that and we took on that responsibility.”
Both seasons of Rhythm & Flow have been executive produced by Jesse Collins, who always does great with both scripted and award shows– and the Netflix series was no exception. The amateur artists discovered their stage performance would include elements to rival those of global superstars. In addition to receiving feedback from Khaled, Latto and Luda, the contestants also received coaching from Theron Thomas and critiques from Big Sean, Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma and Glorilla.
Source: Courtesy / Netflix
“That was great,” Luda responded. “I was surprised at how much money Netflix poured into the production budget. You gotta spend money to make money, so I loved how they put money into it. And for me it was so great to see artists that have not been able to have that type of production yet. The smile on their faces and how happy they were and excited to get that, it was like an early Christmas gift having those resources.”
Source: Courtesy / NetflixThe judges also opened up about setting the tone for the competition in terms of their expectations.
“I think us just being honest but also being passionate, say for instance one of the artists didn’t do so well, but did so well on the other one,” Khaled explained. “We kept falling in love and then like ‘Damn why you?’ but then, ‘You did great over here.’ It made us want to get more involved and give you more keys, ‘Like yo, you know try this boom boom,’ and and like Luda said throughout the whole show the progression, the growth, when they grow, then the advice that we was giving them — we’ve seen him do it. Or they would tell us straight up, ‘I messed up.’ They knew they messed up with certain parts. But for us to tell them like,’Yo you know what’s next — cypher! You know what’s next? The stage. You know what’s next — you gotta keep going.’”
Latto also spoke about how her experience on The Rap Game helped guide her own commentary.
“I was just trying to speak from my perspective of like what I wish somebody would have told me when I was on my own rap competition,” Latto explained. “So yeah I was just trying to be honest but be reassuring too because I know like I’ve been there, so I got a soft spot for the game. I gotta stop for the contestants but yeah I was trying to be honest at the same time.”
Season 2 of Rhythm & Flow is streaming now on Netflix