Eminem – “Rhythm + Flow” (Season 2, Episode 5)

Many of the contestants fighting for hip-hop stardom in Rhythm + Flow Season 2 are no strangers to adversity. Whether they’ve lost a loved one or have others constantly tell them “no,” each artist has cultivated the confidence to push through even the most difficult of obstacles. So when they’re tasked with going head-to-head with their fellow competitors in the ultimate cypher battle, they gear up without fear. That is, until they find out they’re being judged by Eminem.

In the basement of Detroit’s historic St. Andrews Hall where the behemoth cut his teeth, the 14 rappers are tasked with bringing their fiercest, tightest bars in order to impress the judges (Eminem is joined by Latto, Royce Da 5’9”, Mr. Porter, and host SMACK), and advance to the next round.

But while anybody can throw a lazy punch, Eminem is looking for something special in each of these rappers: a mastery of the craft of battle rapping. The iconic emcee explains what truly grabs his attention in a competition. “If I hear a rapper doing compound syllables, I immediately know this is a technician […]. And then there’s stage presence and delivery. That’s what I look for.”

After the gauntlets are thrown, only seven contestants remain after this challenge. But the judges aren’t the only ones who have opinions — the world is watching, too. It’s your turn to sit in the judges’ seats and weigh in. Of each of the seven matchups, who do you think deserved the crown? Watch the latest episode below.