Ego trip's The (White) Rapper Show
Encyclopedia
ego trip's The Rapper Show was an American
reality television
series created by ego trip
magazine that first aired on VH1
. In the show, ten white rappers compete with each other for the chance at a $100,000 grand prize. The show is based in the South Bronx, with MC Serch
(from the group 3rd Bass
) serving as the host. At the end of each show, one rapper was eliminated.
Each episode followed a different theme in Hip Hop
culture and music, evolving the contestants from wanna-be white rapper
s to full-fledged and multi-faceted hip hop acts.
," and due to her pent up frustration, she challenges him to a freestyle battle, which John Brown seems hesitant to do. Sullee enters the fray, as well, but Persia restrains him. Next, she grabs her dildo
and shoves it in John Brown's face.
The next day, because of her constant use of the word "nigga
" during the altercation, she has to wear an exceptionally large and heavy "N-Word chain" for 24 hours, while the cast goes to a miniature golf course. While leaving the golf course, Persia breaks down, claiming that she "made herself look like an idiot," and she learned her lesson.
The next day, the cast is split into two teams: one group consists of Misfit, Dasit, 100 Proof, Jon Boy, and John Brown as captain; the other has $hamrock, Sullee, Jus Rhyme, G-Child, and Persia as captain. Persia's team receives good reviews on their rapping skills by their neighbors in the South Bronx, but John Brown's team does not.
The team who lost the "Meet the Neighbors" challenge is sent to elimination. At elimination, where contestants are supposed to write a verse about their experiences that day, Dasit is eliminated because he did not prepare a verse; when asked why, he claims that "he likes to hear music" when writing songs, and he also criticized the challenge which demanded he write a rhyme in time for the elimination. An infuriated MC Serch tells him off for his lack of effort and announces his elimination. As Dasit leaves the house he is ambushed by someone costumed as a giant cockroach wielding a large can of "Step Off!" spray that, "Eliminates Wackness with Quickness."
A jail bus arrives to take the white rappers to meet hip hop pioneers such as Fabel, from the Zulu Nation
, and Kurtis Blow, one of the first mainstream rap artists. The rappers are offered the opportunity to dance, but only Jus Rhyme, G-Child, and Sullee dance; while none necessarily excels at their breakdance attempts, all of the rappers feel that Jus Rhyme did particularly bad, with one rapper noting he "looked like he was trying to dance bad on purpose." After they meet Fabel and Kurtis Blow, the rappers are brought to a church, where they are tested on their rap trivia knowledge, in a "Name That Tune" style competition called "U Betta Recognize." Persia, 100 Proof, and John Brown make it to the final round, but 100 Proof wins, which earns him a "ghetto pass," excusing him from elimination activities.
The other eight participants are split into two groups and told to create a group rap on the topic of respect. One group consists of G-Child, Jon Boy, Jus Rhyme, and $hamrock; the other group consists of Persia, Misfit, John Brown, and Sullee. G-Child's group encourages her to feel confident and participate. In the other group, Misfit disappears for a while, while the other three write lyrics. Grandmaster Caz
helps MC Serch judge the competition. While the judges agree that both presentations are good, Grandmaster Caz voices his objections over the first group's use of profanity, which he deems "not necessary," and G-Child, Jon Boy, Jus Rhyme, and $hamrock win the competition.
In the morning, the competitors receive a "Mayo" (video mail) message from MC Serch, hinting that they will battle their own worst enemy — themselves. The rappers facing elimination begin thinking about what they can say to make fun of themselves, with the exception of Misfit, who says she has "plenty of stuff" to say about herself, but none of it bad.
At the elimination competition, Persia, Misfit, John Brown, and Sullee are put in the "Ice Ice Chamber" to write their self-deprecating raps. After 30 minutes, they emerge. Sullee goes first and delivers a light-hearted self-attack, even poking fun at how he "slept with Misfit for three nights but didn't seal the deal." John Brown mentions each of his catch phrases ("ghetto revival," "hallelujah hollaback," etc.), and makes fun of it. Persia's rap starts off well, but she forgets the end and gives up. Misfit's rap is not actually self-deprecating, and contains many of the same ideas as her other raps.
MC Serch and Prince Paul deliberate. They agree that Sullee's rap was excellent and clever; John Brown's rap was unexpectedly self-deprecating, but not that interesting otherwise; Persia started well, but lost points by giving up; and that Misfit seemed to be resting on her laurels and not really following the rules. For that reason, they decide to eliminate Misfit, a decision which MC Serch says "hurts [his] heart a little."
Misfit hands over her sneakers and MC Serch throws them over the clothesline, saying, "Sorry, Sullee, [but] you're not gonna get to close the deal."
As Misfit leaves the house, she is stopped by a Nuyorican
popsicle vendor and is given a popsicle by a group of girls, who tell her to "Step off!" Then, Misfit bites into the popsicle and the screen shatters into frozen pieces.
$hamrock, G-Child, Sullee, and 100 Proof now face elimination. For the elimination challenge, each rapper selects a slice of bread from the "white loaf," each with a somewhat different topic: Sullee gets "white power"; G-Child gets "white trash"; 100 Proof gets "whitewash," and $hamrock gets "white guilt." They go to the Ice Ice Chamber to write their raps, and return 30 minutes later to perform them.
Afterward, Serch and Prince Paul confer to discuss the performance and who should be cut. They agree that 100 Proof's flow and energy was great (though his rhymes are too simple); that G-Child's performance was too halting, reminiscent of Vanilla Ice's style; that $hamrock was intense, heart-felt and "tremendous"; and that Sullee very much let them down because he completely forgot half his rap for several moments. It comes down to Sullee and G-Child. Sullee says he should stay in the house because he's "hungry," even though he made some mistakes. G-Child says that whatever will be, will be — but that she thinks she can win and wants to win. Serch tells Sullee that he was a disappointment, but then reveals that G-Child is eliminated. She hands in her sneakers, hugging Serch before she leaves. Serch tosses her shoes up on the clothesline, saying, "Alright, G-Child, be easy."
The show fades out with a shot of G-Child on a milk box (labeled with "Sour Milk" and "You Ain't Fresh"), as if she's a lost child.
The first challenge starts with the rappers split into two teams, The red team consists of Jus Rhyme, Persia, Jon Boy, and John Brown; and the blue team consists of $hamrock, 100 Proof, and Sullee. The teams are to come up with some lyrics to record in a professional studio. While planning their performance, Sullee and 100 Proof break out the liquor to loosen their nerves. They later travel to the studio in Manhattan where the audio will be mastered by producer Just Blaze
and his associates, DJ Nastee and Ryan West. Each team is allocated two hours to record a song. During the recording session, the white rappers are continuing to show their disinterest in Jus Rhyme's unique perspective on things. Persia later describes him as "an odd soul." During the recording, $hamrock hears himself on a sour note and appears surprised at himself. The red team ends their record with a shout-out from Just Blaze. The results of the competition will be determined later when the recordings are played at a local club.
After the recording session, the members of La Coka Nostra come by Tha White House to chill out with the white rappers. They share experiences of being white rappers with the competitors.
The white rappers awaken and are soon met by MC Serch to take the white rappers to a local New York strip club called Sin City. The winner of the recording competition will be determined by how well two strippers dance to each team's song. Kool Keith
, whose songs usually pertain to strippers and strip clubs, is there to help in the judging of the competition. When the dancing starts to the blue team's song, Sullee and $hamrock begin tossing dollar bills at the strippers. The red team was criticized for "rapping separately" and lacking unison. The blue team was criticized for being too choppy. The red team wins and they were awarded with lap dances.
The next day starts out with a scene of 100 Proof peeing in the sink after a long night of drinking. The rappers have "Mayo" — the blue team is facing elimination. Prince Paul is assisting in judging the elimination challenge. The blue team blindly grabs objects from the Mayo jar and is asked to put them on their heads. The objects are G-strings with a word on them. $hamrock's word is "Ballers," Sullee's is "Booze," and 100 Proof's is "Broads." The contestants are to make a verse about their words in the Ice Ice Chamber. Sullee stumbles again with a blank. The suspense continues when 100 Proof also hits a blank. 100 Proof is given criticism for being redundant and not modern. Sullee is criticized for stumbling again. In the end, 100 Proof is asked to step off.
The exit scene contains the same "step off" roach from the first episode as well as a damsel in distress hiding behind 100 Proof while the roach is chasing her. During the episode, the same roach (someone in a costume) can be seen enjoying the club, as a young woman smiles at it graciously and counts a large amount of money in her hands.
the contestants are asked to go shopping and put together the most stylish look. The contestants are split into two teams. Team one is $hamrock, Jus Rhyme, and Persia; team two is Jon Boy, John Brown, and Sullee. The contest will be judged by Marc Ecko.
Again, Jus Rhyme annoys his teammates with his incompatible style. Team one names their theme "Gangsta's Paradise," while team two name themselves "Grown-Ass Men." After all of the shopping is done, Jon Boy puts on a gratuitous exhibition of his rhymes in front of a seemingly unimpressed crowd.
Later, over dinner, the contestants discuss their disapproval of Jon Boy's "public appearance" on the street.
The teams gets in "Tha Vans" and go to the fashion show. Upon arrival, they see that Kwamé is there to help judge. The contestants are surprised to see that they won't be modeling their clothes, but a bunch of well-behaved dogs — as in a dog show. Persia wins the contest for her team with her use of matching red pumps on her dog. Sullee is immediately faced with a realization that he'll be up for elimination for the third time in a row. He's not at all happy about the situation.
Upon returning to Tha White House, the contestants are presented with a second challenge. The teams are given some CDs and asked to study and plan that night, and shoot a music video with some stylish and some not so stylish props. After the teams select their props, MC Serch rolls out an enormous, rattling animal cage, covered by a red sheet and containing Bushwick Bill
(of the Geto Boys
) wearing a Hannibal Lecter
mask. MC Serch announces that Bushwick Bill will be helping team one to make their video.
Some candid footage shows that Grown-Ass Men (John Brown, Jon Boy, and Sullee) are not working well together and are having some trouble showing their creativity with each other. The teams begin recording the audio of their videos with sound engineer, Frankyee. In the studio, Grown-Ass Men are again showing their creative differences. Meanwhile, Gangsta's Paradise (Persia, Jus Rhyme, and $hamrock) is having a great time making their recording.
For the video recording phase, Choke shows up to direct Gangsta's Paradise, and Israel shows up to direct Grown-Ass Men. Gangsta's Paradise has the advantage of Bushwick Bill's guest appearance, but also has to use elderly women in their video. Meanwhile, Grown-Ass Men are taking full advantage of the young ladies in their video.
After the teams finish the videos, they get a “Mayo” message about the judging of the videos. Little X is coming to judge. Grown-Ass Men presents their video called “She's a Stunner,” and Gangsta's Paradise presents their video called “Old School Music.” Little X criticizes Grown-Ass Men for using typical elements and falling into the hip hop "trap." MC Serch criticizes Gangsta's Paradise for being “too cheesy” and criticizes Grown-Ass Men for putting together a mediocre video. Nevertheless, Gangsta's Paradise is declared the winner.
The challenge for the losing team is go in the Ice Ice Chamber and write 16 bars about the flaws of their other team members. MC Serch warns them that he will eliminate all of them if they all come out "soft." While sentencing the team, MC Serch becomes furious that John Brown is giggling. The interviews show that none of the team is happy about the latest challenge: None of them wants to be a “snitch.”
For the elimination challenge, Sullee insists on reading his rhymes, during which he concedes and kicks off his sneakers mid-verse. After giving him a second chance, MC Serch politely shows Sullee the door. Jon Boy raps but his verses are about taking personal responsibility for the team's loss and refusing to criticize his team members. John Brown is the only one who raps about his team members' flaws. Despite Sullee quitting, Jon Boy is also eliminated for not fulfilling the challenge.
After seeing two pairs of shoes being hanged, the exit scene shows the roach directing a scene as a bikini-clad girl yells, “Step off!” and smacks a clapper-board
shut.
radio show on New York hip-hop station "Hot 97". The rappers introduced themselves, and got a chance to freestyle. Listeners called in and said that the rappers would not make it in New York. During this event, a comment that John Brown made in reference to Clear Channel Communications
gets him thrown out of the room; Miss Jones later explains that Hot 97 was, at the time, in a legal dispute with Clear Channel, who owns rival New York hip-hop station "Power 105.1"
. After the interview, mainly due to John Brown's comments, Persia reignites her rivalry with John Brown, blaming most of the embarrassment of the interview on him. Later on, $hamrock also questions John Brown's authenticity; he claims that Brown acts like a "robot," mainly due to Brown's "ghetto revival" statements and choosing not to open up to his roommates.
Later in the episode, a fashion designer came and fitted the rappers with "thug" clothing that he felt represented the areas where the rappers were from. $hamrock comments on the irony pertaining to the clothes that he was given: He, initially, wore long shorts and a black shirt, and ended up with, basically, long shorts and a black shirt, albeit with the small addition of a bandanna and hat.
The remaining four rappers were faced with a "thug challenge" obstacle course. They had to catch three bags in a shopping cart (catch a case); run it (push weight) to a (rat) piñata; destroy it and collect two dollars worth of (drop dime) dimes; run the dimes to a store and exchange for lock cutters; steal (boost) a bike; and return back to Tha White House. Jus Rhyme won this challenge.
During this challenge, Persia experienced difficulties in breathing. After the challenge, she was found unconscious in the bathroom. An ambulance took her to the hospital. After being told she was simply dehydrated, Persia left the hospital on her own.
Since Jus Rhyme won the previous challenge, he was invited to have a dinner with hip hop and reggaeton
star, N.O.R.E.
. He was allowed to pick one fellow contestant to go with him; he chooses John Brown. While the two are away, $hamrock and Persia comment on how absurd a dinner with the "King of the 'Burbs," a completely "non-thug" rapper, and N.O.R.E. would actually be. At the dinner, N.O.R.E. appears to leave early. However, Jus Rhyme explained in his exit interview with VH1 that N.O.R.E. had been waiting for over an hour and a half for him and Brown and had an engagement he needed to get to within a half hour of their arriving.
At elimination, all four rappers were required to participate. The theme of the rap was "thug" versions of old nursery rhymes. They picked crayons out of a "Thugola" crayon box to determine which rhyme they had to base off. When the rappers went to perform, Persia stumbled on her rhyme halfway through. After everyone went, MC Serch told her to get back up and try again, but she refused.
During Serch and Prince Paul's discussion of who should be eliminated, both agreed that Jus Rhyme's verse was horrible and embarrassing, and that he was merely attempting to be a thug when he really wasn't. When discussing Persia, Prince Paul made mention of her stumbling under pressure, while Serch stated that the ten lyrics that she did recite were far superior to anything that Jus Rhyme had said.
When they go back to the rappers and are about to announce who will be eliminated, Serch comments that Persia's rhymes, before her stumble, "crushed" Jus Rhyme's. However, Persia ends up being eliminated because she would not try to continue her rap, and she leaves Tha White House in tears.
Persia leaves in the back seat of an undercover police cruiser, after being told that she's held down the block for long enough, in her exit scene. The license plate of the car says "STEP OFF."
, "The Mecca of White Rap" (a tongue-in-cheek reference to the city being the birthplace of white acts Kid Rock
,
Insane Clown Posse
, and Eminem
). But before they leave, Jus Rhyme gets bad news: He lost his fellowship
at the University of Southern California
for his Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies due to being on the show.
Upon arriving in Detroit, the three meet up with Serch, who introduces them to their temporary home — a trailer appropriately named "the House of D," (which wasn't really in the inner city of Detroit). He also tells the trio what their next elimination challenge will be: a battle. He explains that the three will be at a distinct disadvantage participating in a battle as a white "foreigner," so Serch gives the three the opportunity to quickly practice their battle rhymes on him. $hamrock is having trouble coming up with a rap, admitting that he doesn't freestyle. Serch offers each contestant advice, telling them to stay on their game ($hamrock), not try to make a song (John Brown), and make sure the people get what you're saying by keeping with a distinct rhyme pattern (Jus Rhyme).
After settling in, Serch takes the group to Detroit's legendary Hip Hop Shop, where they learn about the early Detroit scene. The group later meet up with Insane Clown Posse at their Royal Oak headquarters and Kid Rock in his Clarkston, Michigan
home. Both discuss growing up in suburbia as well as Detroit, as well as having to deal with being the white kid in a predominantly black city.
Next up for the three is a challenge entitled "Marshall's Law" based on the contestants' knowledge of Eminem's responses given in various interviews. The first contestant to answer eight multiple choice questions correctly, advancing one space (Mile) along a game board from 1 to 8 Mile, wins the game. John Brown wins the challenge and the prize — accommodations at the five-star Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan
. He opts to share his prize with $hamrock, leaving Jus Rhyme at the trailer alone. While $hamrock and John Brown are enjoying the lavish treatment of the "baller suite," Jus Rhyme writes and practices his battle raps for the next day's elimination.
The next day, Serch brings Jus Rhyme, $hamrock, and John Brown to the legendary Shelter in the basement of St. Andrews Hall, the inspiration for the film 8 Mile
. Each of the three chooses an elite Detroit battle rapper to go against. $hamrock was able to get in a few insults but stumbled, unable to continue in the second round of his battle. Jus Rhyme also stumbled a bit and had some trouble getting in his punchlines over the crowd noise. John Brown got in the most punchlines but also got crushed the worst by Detroit rap legend Loe Louis from the Cardiboys. After deliberating with their opponents, Serch chooses to eliminate Jus Rhyme. He vows to continue working towards his Ph.D., despite losing his fellowship grant, and continuing with his group, AR-15. His shoes are "thrown from Detroit," where they land on the wire back in the Bronx.
Jus Rhyme walks out of The Shelter in shame and is left with a message from Kid Rock telling him to "step off." In a pre-recorded clip, Kid Rock hits a billiard 8-ball, which appears to crush Jus Rhyme — the ball has the number "8" replaced with "step off."
During commercial breaks, VH-1 included Behind the Music footage of Persia, which revealed that she was able to secure a record deal since leaving the show.
Fat Joe
visits the two rappers and gives them a pep talk about performance. He tells them to feel and enjoy what they do. Serch then gives $hamrock and John Brown an opportunity to practice: They are going to perform at halftime of a basketball game at Harlem
's Rucker Park
.
The performances for $hamrock and John Brown are polar opposites; while John Brown is able to flawlessly get through his 16-bar rhyme and entertain the crowd, $hamrock has problems with his microphone not working. Later, as he is rapping, his grill
becomes loose in his mouth and he nearly swallows and chokes on the mouthpiece. Later, Serch gives critiques on the rappers, stating that while John Brown was able to get through his rhyme flawlessly, he was visibly nervous, clutching the mic with both hands as they shook.
Eventually, it's time for the rappers to begin their final challenge: to not only write an entire song (verses, chorus, hook), but to also write a 16-bar verse and be prepared to perform both of them. They are both given CDs of beats and sent to create. The next day, Serch brings a gift for the two — close friends of $hamrock and John Brown are invited to hang out with them for a while. While $hamrock is excited to see his friend, Black Josh, whom $hamrock credits for getting him to actually get out and rap in public, John Brown is less-than excited by his guest, Blaise Delacroix II, who isn't even a member of his "Ghetto Revival" crew. John Brown also says that he is only focused on the task at hand, and has no time for visitors at the time. Eventually, the guests leave, and it's only John Brown and $hamrock left to finish their preparations.
The next day, $hamrock and John Brown pack up and leave Tha White House for the last time. They are also given a clue as to their final performance: that it's going to be "hell." The two are brought to an unnamed club, where they walk down a series of stairs into the basement. There, R.A. the Rugged Man
, dressed in a Satan
outfit, is finishing his own set, while "flames" spew. Backstage, John Brown and $hamrock are going through their final preparations, and Serch tells the two rappers that he is proud of them for making it this far.
It's performance time. In front of a capacity crowd and four judges — producer Clinton Sparks
, former A&R executive Dante Ross, Prince Paul, and Serch himself — John Brown and $hamrock come out to a chorus of applause. Round one of the performance challenge is for the rappers to perform their 16-bar rap. Both make it through their songs without a hitch, but while John Brown is stationary on the stage, combining deft wordplay with a tight flow, $hamrock is energetic, playing to the audience and bouncing all over the stage. Round two of the challenge is the performance of the rappers' songs. John Brown performs "Car Wars," a song about being in the 'burbs and stealing in order to maintain his lifestyle. $hamrock's song is called "Fly Away," a song telling haters to leave him alone and let him do his thing. Once again, both rappers successfully perform their songs in their own way, with a stationary John Brown reciting clever lyrics, while $hamrock energizes the crowd.
The judges convene and discuss the two performances. While John Brown had superior lyrics to the "been-done-before" $hamrock, he appeared nervous. Also, current mainstream rap music isn't about lyricism — "it's all about a hot song," says Clinton Sparks. Conversely, $hamrock was able to work the crowd much better and make that "hot" song. $hamrock is chosen as the winner, and is told by Serch to "Step Up!" $hamrock receives a large trophy and states that his winnings will be going towards repaying Black Josh for paying $ham's rent while he was away, and also taking care of his parents and his sister who was starting college.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series created by ego trip
Ego trip (magazine)
ego trip was the name of a hip hop magazine started in New York City in 1994. It lasted four years and 13 issues and distinguished itself based on its irreverence and defiant attitude, eventually adopting the tagline, "the arrogant voice of musical truth."-Description:The roots of the publication...
magazine that first aired on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
. In the show, ten white rappers compete with each other for the chance at a $100,000 grand prize. The show is based in the South Bronx, with MC Serch
MC Serch
MC Serch is a Jewish-American hip hop MC and former member of 3rd Bass.-Biography:Serch grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens, attending Far Rockaway High School, and graduated from Music & Art High School...
(from the group 3rd Bass
3rd Bass
3rd Bass was an American hip-hop group that rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was notable for being one of the first successful interracial hip-hop groups.-Career:...
) serving as the host. At the end of each show, one rapper was eliminated.
Each episode followed a different theme in Hip Hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
culture and music, evolving the contestants from wanna-be white rapper
White rapper
Although hip hop is a primarily music oriented culture, the political significance of race sometimes comes into play, with accusations of cultural appropriation against non-African American—typically white performers, and charges of racism and self-stereotyping against black performers.-Overview:By...
s to full-fledged and multi-faceted hip hop acts.
Episode Progress
| Contestants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $hamrock | WIN | WIN | LOW | LOW | WIN | IN | IN | WIN |
| John Brown | LOW | LOW | IN | WIN | LOW | IN | LOW | OUT |
| Jus Rhyme | WIN | WIN | IN | WIN | WIN | LOW | OUT | |
| Persia | WIN | LOW | IN | WIN | WIN | OUT | ||
| Jon Boy | LOW | WIN | IN | WIN | OUT | |||
| Sullee | WIN | LOW | LOW | LOW | QUIT | |||
| 100 Proof | LOW | IN | LOW | OUT | ||||
| G-Child | WIN | WIN | OUT | |||||
| Misfit | LOW | OUT | ||||||
| Dasit | OUT | |||||||
- The contestant won the competition
- The contestant was the runner-up.
- The contestant was safe.
- The contestant won the challenge but put up for elimination.
- The contestant was eliminated
- The contestant won the challenge.
- The contestant was up for elimination.
- The contestant quit the competition.
Episode 1
The first episode details the casting audition; out of all of the rappers that show up, ten are chosen: Dasit, Jon Boy, Misfit, Sullee, Persia, John Brown, 100 Proof, $hamrock, Jus Rhyme, and G-Child. The 10 chosen are then introduced to their new home in the South Bronx, "Tha White House," which has been designed and furnished to "keep the true essence of hip hop," as opposed to a typical, lavishly designed and furnished reality show house. Early on, trouble brews between John Brown and Persia. Due to John Brown's vague talk about a "ghetto revival" and his claims of his status as "King of the 'BurbsSuburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
," and due to her pent up frustration, she challenges him to a freestyle battle, which John Brown seems hesitant to do. Sullee enters the fray, as well, but Persia restrains him. Next, she grabs her dildo
Dildo
A dildo is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily penetration during masturbation or sex with partners.- Description and uses :...
and shoves it in John Brown's face.
The next day, because of her constant use of the word "nigga
Nigga
Nigga is a term used in African American Vernacular English that began as an eye dialect form of the word nigger .- Use in language :In practice, its use and meaning are...
" during the altercation, she has to wear an exceptionally large and heavy "N-Word chain" for 24 hours, while the cast goes to a miniature golf course. While leaving the golf course, Persia breaks down, claiming that she "made herself look like an idiot," and she learned her lesson.
The next day, the cast is split into two teams: one group consists of Misfit, Dasit, 100 Proof, Jon Boy, and John Brown as captain; the other has $hamrock, Sullee, Jus Rhyme, G-Child, and Persia as captain. Persia's team receives good reviews on their rapping skills by their neighbors in the South Bronx, but John Brown's team does not.
The team who lost the "Meet the Neighbors" challenge is sent to elimination. At elimination, where contestants are supposed to write a verse about their experiences that day, Dasit is eliminated because he did not prepare a verse; when asked why, he claims that "he likes to hear music" when writing songs, and he also criticized the challenge which demanded he write a rhyme in time for the elimination. An infuriated MC Serch tells him off for his lack of effort and announces his elimination. As Dasit leaves the house he is ambushed by someone costumed as a giant cockroach wielding a large can of "Step Off!" spray that, "Eliminates Wackness with Quickness."
Episode 2
After Dasit's exit, the others wonder why he refused to write a rap for the previous elimination round. Meanwhile, Sullee and Misfit strike up a flirtation.A jail bus arrives to take the white rappers to meet hip hop pioneers such as Fabel, from the Zulu Nation
Universal Zulu Nation
|rightThe Universal Zulu Nation is an international hip hop awareness group formed and headed by hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. Originally known simply as the Organization, it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youths, combining local...
, and Kurtis Blow, one of the first mainstream rap artists. The rappers are offered the opportunity to dance, but only Jus Rhyme, G-Child, and Sullee dance; while none necessarily excels at their breakdance attempts, all of the rappers feel that Jus Rhyme did particularly bad, with one rapper noting he "looked like he was trying to dance bad on purpose." After they meet Fabel and Kurtis Blow, the rappers are brought to a church, where they are tested on their rap trivia knowledge, in a "Name That Tune" style competition called "U Betta Recognize." Persia, 100 Proof, and John Brown make it to the final round, but 100 Proof wins, which earns him a "ghetto pass," excusing him from elimination activities.
The other eight participants are split into two groups and told to create a group rap on the topic of respect. One group consists of G-Child, Jon Boy, Jus Rhyme, and $hamrock; the other group consists of Persia, Misfit, John Brown, and Sullee. G-Child's group encourages her to feel confident and participate. In the other group, Misfit disappears for a while, while the other three write lyrics. Grandmaster Caz
Grandmaster Caz
Curtis Fisher , better known by his stage name Grandmaster Caz or Cassanova Fly is an American "Old Skool" rapper, MC, and DJ...
helps MC Serch judge the competition. While the judges agree that both presentations are good, Grandmaster Caz voices his objections over the first group's use of profanity, which he deems "not necessary," and G-Child, Jon Boy, Jus Rhyme, and $hamrock win the competition.
In the morning, the competitors receive a "Mayo" (video mail) message from MC Serch, hinting that they will battle their own worst enemy — themselves. The rappers facing elimination begin thinking about what they can say to make fun of themselves, with the exception of Misfit, who says she has "plenty of stuff" to say about herself, but none of it bad.
At the elimination competition, Persia, Misfit, John Brown, and Sullee are put in the "Ice Ice Chamber" to write their self-deprecating raps. After 30 minutes, they emerge. Sullee goes first and delivers a light-hearted self-attack, even poking fun at how he "slept with Misfit for three nights but didn't seal the deal." John Brown mentions each of his catch phrases ("ghetto revival," "hallelujah hollaback," etc.), and makes fun of it. Persia's rap starts off well, but she forgets the end and gives up. Misfit's rap is not actually self-deprecating, and contains many of the same ideas as her other raps.
MC Serch and Prince Paul deliberate. They agree that Sullee's rap was excellent and clever; John Brown's rap was unexpectedly self-deprecating, but not that interesting otherwise; Persia started well, but lost points by giving up; and that Misfit seemed to be resting on her laurels and not really following the rules. For that reason, they decide to eliminate Misfit, a decision which MC Serch says "hurts [his] heart a little."
Misfit hands over her sneakers and MC Serch throws them over the clothesline, saying, "Sorry, Sullee, [but] you're not gonna get to close the deal."
As Misfit leaves the house, she is stopped by a Nuyorican
Nuyorican
Nuyorican is a portmanteau of the terms "New York" and "Puerto Rican" and refers to the members or culture of the Puerto Rican diaspora located in or around New York State especially the New York City metropolitan area, or of their descendants...
popsicle vendor and is given a popsicle by a group of girls, who tell her to "Step off!" Then, Misfit bites into the popsicle and the screen shatters into frozen pieces.
Episode 3
In the morning, the rappers get a Mayo-mail, in which Serch tells them that they look terrible and so he's arranged for them to go a barber shop to get cleaned up. G-Child claims that she's been feeling sick, vomiting and feverish, and decides to stay home. At the barber shop, the white rappers attempt to win over the customers, with varying degrees of success.$hamrock, G-Child, Sullee, and 100 Proof now face elimination. For the elimination challenge, each rapper selects a slice of bread from the "white loaf," each with a somewhat different topic: Sullee gets "white power"; G-Child gets "white trash"; 100 Proof gets "whitewash," and $hamrock gets "white guilt." They go to the Ice Ice Chamber to write their raps, and return 30 minutes later to perform them.
Afterward, Serch and Prince Paul confer to discuss the performance and who should be cut. They agree that 100 Proof's flow and energy was great (though his rhymes are too simple); that G-Child's performance was too halting, reminiscent of Vanilla Ice's style; that $hamrock was intense, heart-felt and "tremendous"; and that Sullee very much let them down because he completely forgot half his rap for several moments. It comes down to Sullee and G-Child. Sullee says he should stay in the house because he's "hungry," even though he made some mistakes. G-Child says that whatever will be, will be — but that she thinks she can win and wants to win. Serch tells Sullee that he was a disappointment, but then reveals that G-Child is eliminated. She hands in her sneakers, hugging Serch before she leaves. Serch tosses her shoes up on the clothesline, saying, "Alright, G-Child, be easy."
The show fades out with a shot of G-Child on a milk box (labeled with "Sour Milk" and "You Ain't Fresh"), as if she's a lost child.
Episode 4
This episode starts with a closer view into Jus Rhyme's white-deprecating personality.The first challenge starts with the rappers split into two teams, The red team consists of Jus Rhyme, Persia, Jon Boy, and John Brown; and the blue team consists of $hamrock, 100 Proof, and Sullee. The teams are to come up with some lyrics to record in a professional studio. While planning their performance, Sullee and 100 Proof break out the liquor to loosen their nerves. They later travel to the studio in Manhattan where the audio will be mastered by producer Just Blaze
Just Blaze
Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment. He is most well known for producing Jay-Z songs on the albums The Blueprint, The Blueprint 2, and The Black Album. He is also known for...
and his associates, DJ Nastee and Ryan West. Each team is allocated two hours to record a song. During the recording session, the white rappers are continuing to show their disinterest in Jus Rhyme's unique perspective on things. Persia later describes him as "an odd soul." During the recording, $hamrock hears himself on a sour note and appears surprised at himself. The red team ends their record with a shout-out from Just Blaze. The results of the competition will be determined later when the recordings are played at a local club.
After the recording session, the members of La Coka Nostra come by Tha White House to chill out with the white rappers. They share experiences of being white rappers with the competitors.
The white rappers awaken and are soon met by MC Serch to take the white rappers to a local New York strip club called Sin City. The winner of the recording competition will be determined by how well two strippers dance to each team's song. Kool Keith
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is the self-proclaimed inventor of...
, whose songs usually pertain to strippers and strip clubs, is there to help in the judging of the competition. When the dancing starts to the blue team's song, Sullee and $hamrock begin tossing dollar bills at the strippers. The red team was criticized for "rapping separately" and lacking unison. The blue team was criticized for being too choppy. The red team wins and they were awarded with lap dances.
The next day starts out with a scene of 100 Proof peeing in the sink after a long night of drinking. The rappers have "Mayo" — the blue team is facing elimination. Prince Paul is assisting in judging the elimination challenge. The blue team blindly grabs objects from the Mayo jar and is asked to put them on their heads. The objects are G-strings with a word on them. $hamrock's word is "Ballers," Sullee's is "Booze," and 100 Proof's is "Broads." The contestants are to make a verse about their words in the Ice Ice Chamber. Sullee stumbles again with a blank. The suspense continues when 100 Proof also hits a blank. 100 Proof is given criticism for being redundant and not modern. Sullee is criticized for stumbling again. In the end, 100 Proof is asked to step off.
The exit scene contains the same "step off" roach from the first episode as well as a damsel in distress hiding behind 100 Proof while the roach is chasing her. During the episode, the same roach (someone in a costume) can be seen enjoying the club, as a young woman smiles at it graciously and counts a large amount of money in her hands.
Episode 5
This episode gets started right away with a fashion-themed challenge. After a meeting with fashion entrepreneur Marc EckoMarc Ecko
Marc Eckō is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, investor, artist, and philanthropist. He is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Marc Eckō Enterprises, a billion-dollar global fashion and lifestyle company...
the contestants are asked to go shopping and put together the most stylish look. The contestants are split into two teams. Team one is $hamrock, Jus Rhyme, and Persia; team two is Jon Boy, John Brown, and Sullee. The contest will be judged by Marc Ecko.
Again, Jus Rhyme annoys his teammates with his incompatible style. Team one names their theme "Gangsta's Paradise," while team two name themselves "Grown-Ass Men." After all of the shopping is done, Jon Boy puts on a gratuitous exhibition of his rhymes in front of a seemingly unimpressed crowd.
Later, over dinner, the contestants discuss their disapproval of Jon Boy's "public appearance" on the street.
The teams gets in "Tha Vans" and go to the fashion show. Upon arrival, they see that Kwamé is there to help judge. The contestants are surprised to see that they won't be modeling their clothes, but a bunch of well-behaved dogs — as in a dog show. Persia wins the contest for her team with her use of matching red pumps on her dog. Sullee is immediately faced with a realization that he'll be up for elimination for the third time in a row. He's not at all happy about the situation.
Upon returning to Tha White House, the contestants are presented with a second challenge. The teams are given some CDs and asked to study and plan that night, and shoot a music video with some stylish and some not so stylish props. After the teams select their props, MC Serch rolls out an enormous, rattling animal cage, covered by a red sheet and containing Bushwick Bill
Bushwick Bill
Richard Shaw , better known by the stage name Bushwick Bill, is a member of the American hip hop group Geto Boys. He was born in Jamaica, but moved to Brooklyn, NY as a young child.- History :...
(of the Geto Boys
Geto Boys
Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...
) wearing a Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter M.D. is a fictional character in a series of horror novels by Thomas Harris and in the films adapted from them.Lecter was introduced in the 1981 thriller novel Red Dragon as a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer...
mask. MC Serch announces that Bushwick Bill will be helping team one to make their video.
Some candid footage shows that Grown-Ass Men (John Brown, Jon Boy, and Sullee) are not working well together and are having some trouble showing their creativity with each other. The teams begin recording the audio of their videos with sound engineer, Frankyee. In the studio, Grown-Ass Men are again showing their creative differences. Meanwhile, Gangsta's Paradise (Persia, Jus Rhyme, and $hamrock) is having a great time making their recording.
For the video recording phase, Choke shows up to direct Gangsta's Paradise, and Israel shows up to direct Grown-Ass Men. Gangsta's Paradise has the advantage of Bushwick Bill's guest appearance, but also has to use elderly women in their video. Meanwhile, Grown-Ass Men are taking full advantage of the young ladies in their video.
After the teams finish the videos, they get a “Mayo” message about the judging of the videos. Little X is coming to judge. Grown-Ass Men presents their video called “She's a Stunner,” and Gangsta's Paradise presents their video called “Old School Music.” Little X criticizes Grown-Ass Men for using typical elements and falling into the hip hop "trap." MC Serch criticizes Gangsta's Paradise for being “too cheesy” and criticizes Grown-Ass Men for putting together a mediocre video. Nevertheless, Gangsta's Paradise is declared the winner.
The challenge for the losing team is go in the Ice Ice Chamber and write 16 bars about the flaws of their other team members. MC Serch warns them that he will eliminate all of them if they all come out "soft." While sentencing the team, MC Serch becomes furious that John Brown is giggling. The interviews show that none of the team is happy about the latest challenge: None of them wants to be a “snitch.”
For the elimination challenge, Sullee insists on reading his rhymes, during which he concedes and kicks off his sneakers mid-verse. After giving him a second chance, MC Serch politely shows Sullee the door. Jon Boy raps but his verses are about taking personal responsibility for the team's loss and refusing to criticize his team members. John Brown is the only one who raps about his team members' flaws. Despite Sullee quitting, Jon Boy is also eliminated for not fulfilling the challenge.
After seeing two pairs of shoes being hanged, the exit scene shows the roach directing a scene as a bikini-clad girl yells, “Step off!” and smacks a clapper-board
Clapperboard
A clapperboard is a device used in filmmaking and video production to assist in the synchronizing of picture and sound, and to designate and mark particular scenes and takes recorded during a production...
shut.
Episode 6
The overarching theme of the episode is "thugism." In beginning of Episode 6, the four remaining rappers appeared on the Miss Jones in the MorningMiss Jones
Tarsha Jones, better known as Miss Jones, is a former R&B artist and radio personality. Miss Jones is currently the host of the Power 99 morning show "Jonesy In The Morning" after previously working for Hot 97 until 2008.-Early life:...
radio show on New York hip-hop station "Hot 97". The rappers introduced themselves, and got a chance to freestyle. Listeners called in and said that the rappers would not make it in New York. During this event, a comment that John Brown made in reference to Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
gets him thrown out of the room; Miss Jones later explains that Hot 97 was, at the time, in a legal dispute with Clear Channel, who owns rival New York hip-hop station "Power 105.1"
WWPR-FM
WWPR-FM, also known as "Power 105.1", is an urban contemporary radio station that features hip hop and R&B licensed to New York City that serves the Greater New York area....
. After the interview, mainly due to John Brown's comments, Persia reignites her rivalry with John Brown, blaming most of the embarrassment of the interview on him. Later on, $hamrock also questions John Brown's authenticity; he claims that Brown acts like a "robot," mainly due to Brown's "ghetto revival" statements and choosing not to open up to his roommates.
Later in the episode, a fashion designer came and fitted the rappers with "thug" clothing that he felt represented the areas where the rappers were from. $hamrock comments on the irony pertaining to the clothes that he was given: He, initially, wore long shorts and a black shirt, and ended up with, basically, long shorts and a black shirt, albeit with the small addition of a bandanna and hat.
The remaining four rappers were faced with a "thug challenge" obstacle course. They had to catch three bags in a shopping cart (catch a case); run it (push weight) to a (rat) piñata; destroy it and collect two dollars worth of (drop dime) dimes; run the dimes to a store and exchange for lock cutters; steal (boost) a bike; and return back to Tha White House. Jus Rhyme won this challenge.
During this challenge, Persia experienced difficulties in breathing. After the challenge, she was found unconscious in the bathroom. An ambulance took her to the hospital. After being told she was simply dehydrated, Persia left the hospital on her own.
Since Jus Rhyme won the previous challenge, he was invited to have a dinner with hip hop and reggaeton
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
star, N.O.R.E.
N.O.R.E.
Victor Santiago, Jr., best known by his stage name N.O.R.E. or Noreaga , is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent...
. He was allowed to pick one fellow contestant to go with him; he chooses John Brown. While the two are away, $hamrock and Persia comment on how absurd a dinner with the "King of the 'Burbs," a completely "non-thug" rapper, and N.O.R.E. would actually be. At the dinner, N.O.R.E. appears to leave early. However, Jus Rhyme explained in his exit interview with VH1 that N.O.R.E. had been waiting for over an hour and a half for him and Brown and had an engagement he needed to get to within a half hour of their arriving.
At elimination, all four rappers were required to participate. The theme of the rap was "thug" versions of old nursery rhymes. They picked crayons out of a "Thugola" crayon box to determine which rhyme they had to base off. When the rappers went to perform, Persia stumbled on her rhyme halfway through. After everyone went, MC Serch told her to get back up and try again, but she refused.
During Serch and Prince Paul's discussion of who should be eliminated, both agreed that Jus Rhyme's verse was horrible and embarrassing, and that he was merely attempting to be a thug when he really wasn't. When discussing Persia, Prince Paul made mention of her stumbling under pressure, while Serch stated that the ten lyrics that she did recite were far superior to anything that Jus Rhyme had said.
When they go back to the rappers and are about to announce who will be eliminated, Serch comments that Persia's rhymes, before her stumble, "crushed" Jus Rhyme's. However, Persia ends up being eliminated because she would not try to continue her rap, and she leaves Tha White House in tears.
Persia leaves in the back seat of an undercover police cruiser, after being told that she's held down the block for long enough, in her exit scene. The license plate of the car says "STEP OFF."
Episode 7
John Brown, $hamrock, and Jus Rhyme are the last three left in the house, and the tension seems crazier as they prepare for their next challenge. MC Serch enters the house and tells the three to pack their bags because they are going to DetroitDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, "The Mecca of White Rap" (a tongue-in-cheek reference to the city being the birthplace of white acts Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
,
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
, and Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
). But before they leave, Jus Rhyme gets bad news: He lost his fellowship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
for his Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies due to being on the show.
Upon arriving in Detroit, the three meet up with Serch, who introduces them to their temporary home — a trailer appropriately named "the House of D," (which wasn't really in the inner city of Detroit). He also tells the trio what their next elimination challenge will be: a battle. He explains that the three will be at a distinct disadvantage participating in a battle as a white "foreigner," so Serch gives the three the opportunity to quickly practice their battle rhymes on him. $hamrock is having trouble coming up with a rap, admitting that he doesn't freestyle. Serch offers each contestant advice, telling them to stay on their game ($hamrock), not try to make a song (John Brown), and make sure the people get what you're saying by keeping with a distinct rhyme pattern (Jus Rhyme).
After settling in, Serch takes the group to Detroit's legendary Hip Hop Shop, where they learn about the early Detroit scene. The group later meet up with Insane Clown Posse at their Royal Oak headquarters and Kid Rock in his Clarkston, Michigan
Clarkston, Michigan
Clarkston, known officially by the name City of the Village of Clarkston, is a small city located within Independence Charter Township in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 882 at the 2010 census.-Overview:...
home. Both discuss growing up in suburbia as well as Detroit, as well as having to deal with being the white kid in a predominantly black city.
Next up for the three is a challenge entitled "Marshall's Law" based on the contestants' knowledge of Eminem's responses given in various interviews. The first contestant to answer eight multiple choice questions correctly, advancing one space (Mile) along a game board from 1 to 8 Mile, wins the game. John Brown wins the challenge and the prize — accommodations at the five-star Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan
Rochester, Michigan
Rochester is an affluent city in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the northern outskirts of metro Detroit. The population was 12,711 at the 2010 census...
. He opts to share his prize with $hamrock, leaving Jus Rhyme at the trailer alone. While $hamrock and John Brown are enjoying the lavish treatment of the "baller suite," Jus Rhyme writes and practices his battle raps for the next day's elimination.
The next day, Serch brings Jus Rhyme, $hamrock, and John Brown to the legendary Shelter in the basement of St. Andrews Hall, the inspiration for the film 8 Mile
8 Mile (film)
8 Mile is a 2002 American hip-hop drama film written by Scott Silver, directed by Curtis Hanson, and starring Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, and Kim Basinger....
. Each of the three chooses an elite Detroit battle rapper to go against. $hamrock was able to get in a few insults but stumbled, unable to continue in the second round of his battle. Jus Rhyme also stumbled a bit and had some trouble getting in his punchlines over the crowd noise. John Brown got in the most punchlines but also got crushed the worst by Detroit rap legend Loe Louis from the Cardiboys. After deliberating with their opponents, Serch chooses to eliminate Jus Rhyme. He vows to continue working towards his Ph.D., despite losing his fellowship grant, and continuing with his group, AR-15. His shoes are "thrown from Detroit," where they land on the wire back in the Bronx.
Jus Rhyme walks out of The Shelter in shame and is left with a message from Kid Rock telling him to "step off." In a pre-recorded clip, Kid Rock hits a billiard 8-ball, which appears to crush Jus Rhyme — the ball has the number "8" replaced with "step off."
During commercial breaks, VH-1 included Behind the Music footage of Persia, which revealed that she was able to secure a record deal since leaving the show.
Episode 8
After eight eliminations, only John Brown and $hamrock remain in the competition for $100,000. Serch tells the two that the final challenge will involve performance. But before the two can perform, they must prepare.Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
visits the two rappers and gives them a pep talk about performance. He tells them to feel and enjoy what they do. Serch then gives $hamrock and John Brown an opportunity to practice: They are going to perform at halftime of a basketball game at Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
's Rucker Park
Rucker Park
Rucker Park is a basketball court in the Harlem neighborhood of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard across the street from the former Polo Grounds site...
.
The performances for $hamrock and John Brown are polar opposites; while John Brown is able to flawlessly get through his 16-bar rhyme and entertain the crowd, $hamrock has problems with his microphone not working. Later, as he is rapping, his grill
Grill (jewelry)
thumb|A gold dental grillIn hip hop culture, a grill is a type of jewelry worn over the teeth. Grills are made of metal and are generally removable. They began to be worn by hip hop artists in the early 1980s, but they became widely popular during the mid-2000s due to the rise of Dirty South rap...
becomes loose in his mouth and he nearly swallows and chokes on the mouthpiece. Later, Serch gives critiques on the rappers, stating that while John Brown was able to get through his rhyme flawlessly, he was visibly nervous, clutching the mic with both hands as they shook.
Eventually, it's time for the rappers to begin their final challenge: to not only write an entire song (verses, chorus, hook), but to also write a 16-bar verse and be prepared to perform both of them. They are both given CDs of beats and sent to create. The next day, Serch brings a gift for the two — close friends of $hamrock and John Brown are invited to hang out with them for a while. While $hamrock is excited to see his friend, Black Josh, whom $hamrock credits for getting him to actually get out and rap in public, John Brown is less-than excited by his guest, Blaise Delacroix II, who isn't even a member of his "Ghetto Revival" crew. John Brown also says that he is only focused on the task at hand, and has no time for visitors at the time. Eventually, the guests leave, and it's only John Brown and $hamrock left to finish their preparations.
The next day, $hamrock and John Brown pack up and leave Tha White House for the last time. They are also given a clue as to their final performance: that it's going to be "hell." The two are brought to an unnamed club, where they walk down a series of stairs into the basement. There, R.A. the Rugged Man
R.A. The Rugged Man
R. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
, dressed in a Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
outfit, is finishing his own set, while "flames" spew. Backstage, John Brown and $hamrock are going through their final preparations, and Serch tells the two rappers that he is proud of them for making it this far.
It's performance time. In front of a capacity crowd and four judges — producer Clinton Sparks
Clinton Sparks
Clinton Sparks is a Boston-based radio, mixtape & Club DJ as well as a recording artist, writer, producer and TV personality.-Biography:...
, former A&R executive Dante Ross, Prince Paul, and Serch himself — John Brown and $hamrock come out to a chorus of applause. Round one of the performance challenge is for the rappers to perform their 16-bar rap. Both make it through their songs without a hitch, but while John Brown is stationary on the stage, combining deft wordplay with a tight flow, $hamrock is energetic, playing to the audience and bouncing all over the stage. Round two of the challenge is the performance of the rappers' songs. John Brown performs "Car Wars," a song about being in the 'burbs and stealing in order to maintain his lifestyle. $hamrock's song is called "Fly Away," a song telling haters to leave him alone and let him do his thing. Once again, both rappers successfully perform their songs in their own way, with a stationary John Brown reciting clever lyrics, while $hamrock energizes the crowd.
The judges convene and discuss the two performances. While John Brown had superior lyrics to the "been-done-before" $hamrock, he appeared nervous. Also, current mainstream rap music isn't about lyricism — "it's all about a hot song," says Clinton Sparks. Conversely, $hamrock was able to work the crowd much better and make that "hot" song. $hamrock is chosen as the winner, and is told by Serch to "Step Up!" $hamrock receives a large trophy and states that his winnings will be going towards repaying Black Josh for paying $ham's rent while he was away, and also taking care of his parents and his sister who was starting college.
External links
- The (White) Rapper Show – Official Website
- Audio interview with Brent Rollins and Gabriel Alvarez on public radio program The Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young America is a public radio program and podcast based in Los Angeles, California and distributed by Public Radio International...
- Elliott Wilson (show producer) interview
- John Brown Interview