Critic Reviews

Season 2 is textured and raw in the same way that Starz’s “P-Valley” is such a thrilling watch.

Rap Sh!t is unapologetic in what it is and who it’s for, and TV is better for it.

All of it is portrayed with wit, exuberance and real intelligence. Sometimes deep, sometimes silly, the series is a canny depiction of the specific contours of female friendship. And in its quieter moments, it taps into that inner voice that keeps us awake at night, full of anxiety about why we’re going nowhere in life.

Season 2 of Rap Sh!t is even better than the show’s first, with the jokes getting funnier as the series progresses and the cast blooms underneath the cameras and neon lights. Characters whose time was unfortunately brief in Season 1 are finally able to shine here.

In the end, Rap Sh!t is a heartwarming show with sex, intrigue, and the perfect amount of Black-specific humor. If you're ready to laugh, shake your ass with the musical duo, and wince a bit at how much a character reminds you of your ex, do yourself a favor and tune in.

It’s a glossy, entertaining show that prioritizes quick wit and fun; it’s less moody than Donald Glover’s Atlanta and not as satirical as Dave, two other series that chronicle rappers trying to break through. The jokes here pack a punch even when they tiptoe into corny territory, the visuals are smooth and the chemistry between the performers feels warm and familiar.

Her [Issa Rae's] stamp as a creator is growing. “Rap Sh!t” will resonate with the audience who kept asking “What’s Next?” after “Insecure” wrapped last year.

[The characters] all have more talent and charisma than they often get credit for; watching them figure out how to capitalize on that fact proves to be “Rap Sh!t”’s greatest asset.

It isn’t until the season progresses and Shawna and Mia grow closer, sharing deep thoughts and shedding their online facades, that the series follows suit. Its use of Instagram filters quickly minimises, and the scope of the show broadens, making it less about rap and more about identity.

Rap Sh!t suffers a bit from some broad gags and the phone-centric gimmickry we cited earlier, but at its heart is a story of two friends taking on the patriarchal world of hip hop, and that story is one we’re eager to watch.