Rhythm + Flow Italy made its much-anticipated debut on March 31, 2025, with the release of the first four episodes on Netflix. This exciting contest showcases the talents of aspiring rappers from diverse backgrounds, who have been carefully selected by esteemed judges Rose Villain, Fabri Fibra, and Geolier. Episode 4, titled Rap Shows No Mercy, marked a significant turning point in the competition, as it saw the first eliminations of the season, concluding the journey for several participants.
In this pivotal episode, contestant Amon distinguished himself, earning a coveted spot in the Battles, while a total of ten participants geared up for the Cypher. These ten artists were divided into two teams, with Lina leading one group and Vago overseeing the other.
The performances from both teams impressed the judges, complicating their decision-making process. During deliberations, Flykush, Spampy, and Krifal were highlighted as contestants who did not resonate with the judges’ expectations.
Recap of Rhythm + Flow Italy Season 2, Episode 4
The episode commenced with a direct continuation from Episode 3, following Nox’s reprieve from elimination. Judge Rose Villain advocated for his advancement to the next round, taking “full responsibility”for their choice.
“Right now, I feel like I’m leaving as a loser. It feels the same as if I’d lost,”Nox expressed in a confessional.
Next to perform was Amon, a 22-year-old whose captivating audition left a memorable impression on the judges. Fabri described Amon’s act as “very American,”commending him for “crushing it from start to finish,”although he pointed out issues with clarity in his delivery. Amon’s performance earned him immediate access to the Battles, allowing him to bypass the Cypher.
The next contestant, 18-year-old Ayo Ally, did not impress the panel. Rose criticized her verses as “pretty standard,”expressing that she anticipated something “much more unique,”leading to Ayo’s elimination. Similarly, 19-year-old Fiore Akamono aimed to showcase his “vision and style,”but ultimately fell short of expectations, resulting in his exit from the competition.
Jasmin’s audition followed, but she too faced elimination. Fabri remarked on her performance:
“If you really wanna rap, then you can’t just keep on dancing around it. You’ve got one chance and you’ve gotta strike while the iron’s hot.”
Geolier further commented that Jasmin wasn’t “quite ready yet,”which left her feeling disheartened. Nevertheless, she remained resolute in her aspiration to pursue a career in rap.
Subsequently, Lina took the stage and delivered a performance that received enthusiastic applause from both the judges and the audience. Geolier praised her but noted concerns about her enunciation, while Fabri also expressed difficulty in understanding her lyrics. Rose defended Lina’s singing, describing it as “amazing.”This prompted the panel to send her through to the Cypher, with hopes of impressing Fabri for her next performance.
Leam, who wanted to display his “swag”and artistic style, faced backlash from the judges. They questioned his seriousness and “intent”about his craft, leading to his elimination.
“They don’t know English, or they don’t know the genre that came out two months ago, in America,”Leam reacted to the judges’ critiques.
The final performer of the day, Nachelo, aimed to narrate his and his mother’s journey through his lyrics, reflecting on the struggles they encountered, especially after his mother’s arrest. Rose noted his “raw”storytelling approach, while Fabri encouraged him to enjoy the moment and Geolier emphasized the need for greater balance in his performance. Ultimately, they decided to advance him, believing he would elevate the competition at the Cypher stage.
The ten rappers chosen for the Cypher were then organized into two teams of five. The upcoming battles would determine who would progress to the next stage in the competition. The first team, led by Lina, consisted of Nox, Krifal, Flykush, and Spampy, while Vago led the second team featuring Nachelo, Eos, Erness, and JoeJoe. Rose emphasized that the Cypher would be a collective effort, yet a chance for individual artists to shine.
During team preparations, JoeJoe offered to rap last, despite Eos wanting the same slot. On camera, he voiced feelings of disappointment for not being chosen as a first pick, recalling experiences of racial discrimination from his childhood that left him feeling marginalized once again.
Nox also faced pressure as he hoped to impress the judges, concerned about potentially forgetting his lyrics during a performance that had previously brought him emotional pain while reminiscing about his late father.
Both teams executed their performances to the best of their abilities, presenting the judges with a daunting task. However, Krifal, Spampy, and Flykush’s names surfaced during discussions about the night’s less memorable performances. The suspense escalated as the episode concluded with the judges deliberating on who would advance to the Battles.
Currently, Rhythm + Flow Italy is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.