Rap Sh!t

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

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.

The show has so much potential, though, that these initial hiccups are easy to overlook. Rae’s writing remains charmingly sly, the depiction of Miami is immersive, and the natural, winning chemistry between Osman and KaMillion establishes Rap Sh!t as the summer’s premier hangout show.

The vibrant half-hour comedy layers flashy pop-culture trimmings atop meaningful personal journeys as it follows estranged high school friends Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) when they reconnect in their 20s and form an unlikely rap duo.

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

Ambitious as its subjects, the show dances at the edge of cacophony at times. It’s a perfect next challenge for this rising TV auteur [Issa Rae], though, and she steps up to it quite assured.

Rap Sh!t plays more like a collection of demos for that sophomore record, containing nuggets of a good idea that just need a little more refinement and texture in order to be fully realized into something potentially great.