Rhythm + Flow has been a platform that offers 22 emerging rappers the opportunity to claim a $250,000 prize and achieve worldwide recognition. Season 2 brought together Ludacris, DJ Khaled, and Latto as judges, who put the contestants through various challenges and performances to discover the next big rap star. Every decision to advance or cut an artist had to be unanimous, with all-star guest judges like Eminem, Remy Ma, Big Sean, and Busta Rhymes weighing in.

Discovering the Winner

After nine intense episodes, DreTL emerged as the winner of Rhythm + Flow Season 2. In a December 2024 interview with Tudum, DreTL shared that his most memorable moment on the show wasn't winning but performing in front of his idol, Eminem. He said, "Once I was able to perform in front of him, I felt like I was going to win, because nothing was tougher than that. This is the Eminem, and if I could do this right there in front of him, I can do anything in the world. I can fly." Ludacris also emphasized that it was DreTL's heart and continuous improvement that won the judges over. He said, "You know how in school there's that kid that just does well and does everything good, and then you have that kid that is the most improved? For me, that's what did it."

The Journey of DreTL

When asked about his post-Rhythm + Flow plans, DreTL told Tudum that he's not focused on big awards or chart-topping hits. He said, "I just want to continue to create genuine, good art. I got a little money now and I can really be set up to do what I love to do. As long as I'm able to do that, I'll be happy — and for whoever listens, I'm glad that I'll be able to connect with people in that way." After the finale was released on Netflix on Dec. 4, DreTL posted an image of himself on Instagram set to an original, untitled song. In the caption, he expressed his love for being the underdog. Georgia University State News reported that he'll graduate from the university in December 2024 with a bachelor's degree in music industry, becoming the first in his family to do so. He also released his single from Rhythm + Flow, "High Definition," in December after releasing two original songs in November, "Like I Never Left" and "Don't Call It A Comeback."

The Story of Jay Taj

From the very first audition, Jay Taj captivated the judges and the crowd with his captivating, storytelling-based bars. Although he didn't win the main prize, he has nothing but love for DreTL, the Season 2 winner. He said, "I told him, 'as long as it's us two as the last two, then we won, bro.' I think that we see something in each other … I know that there is a vast difference in the way that we present our art to the world. But the thing that is the same is: I give Jay to the world. Dre gives Dre to the world. And this is one and the same with every great artist that's ever lived." The Los Angeles-based rapper even featured DreTL on a song in his November 2024 EP LITTLE JERRY DEMOS. He also released his single from the show, "Believe Me," in December. In addition to sharing his music, he posts photos of his pitbull-lab mix Syrus, who has his own Instagram account.

The Experience of Sura Ali

Sura Ali was praised for her quiet confidence as she brought her A-game to every challenge on Rhythm + Flow. However, she also had to battle health issues due to a vitamin B12 deficiency. In a December 2024 interview with Bossip, she shared that after the show, she was hospitalized for five days and had to get two blood transfusions. She said, "It's not that serious when you hear about it, but when you're dealing with it and not getting enough oxygen to your organs and you are fatigued all the time and you are hungry all the time … I didn't know what was going on. All I just knew is they kept saying, 'You want to go to urgent care?' I'm like, 'Nah because I have to finish.'" Ali released her Rhythm + Flow single "R+N+F" in December 2024. According to her Instagram bio, she also owns a custom clothing company called Nunu Jeans.

The Journey of Detroit Diamond

The judges consistently praised Detroit Diamond for her infectious energy and authenticity on the stage, especially in her performance of her single "Pressure" released in December 2024. Diamond told Tudum a month prior that her ultimate goal as an artist is to create generational wealth for her family. She said, "I want to leave them a real legacy. I want to be able to touch the people and heal them through my music. I want my music to lead to investments, movies, deals, and bigger opportunities all over the world." According to a 2023 interview with Shoutout LA, Diamond was inspired to start writing music a few years after her brother, a rapper named D-Beezy, was murdered in 2014. She said it helped her "find a way to get out of that dark space" and keep his legacy alive.

Will There Be a Season 3?

Netflix has not yet announced whether there will be a Season 3 of Rhythm + Flow. The first two seasons are available to stream on the platform. Teacher-turned-rapper D Smoke won the first season in October 2019. The following year, he released his debut album, Black Habits, and was nominated for two Grammy awards. Smoke told Billboard in 2021 that he was surprised to achieve that level of recognition so quickly. He said, "It was one of those things that I wanted to accomplish in my career. And it just came early." Smoke also played Raphael in the Paramount+ thriller series Mayor of Kingstown.