The Hub’s Entertainment Watch List: Rap Sh!t
As a content creator, tapping into your niche audience can be a bit tricky, but producer and actress Issa Rae always seems to deliver the shows her fans enjoy. Viewers of the HBO series “Rap Sh!t,” can expect content that is at the intersection of hip hop and the sitcom “Insecure.”
The fictional series follows two estranged high school friends from Miami who reunite to form a rap group. The audience is introduced to Shawna (Aida Osman), an aspiring rapper and Mia (rapper KaMillion), a makeup artist and mother with multiple side hustles. The two have personal differences and approaches toward life which could explain the years spent apart. However, the two reconnect with a shared desire to get money and make it in the entertainment industry.
A re-occurring yet relevant topic explored throughout the series centers on the struggles that impact the lives of artists, female rappers particularly. The two aspiring artists differ in how they express themselves. Shawna’s character prefers lyricism and substance while Mia wants to make music fitting for pop culture. Despite differing outlooks, the two manage to reign it in and stay focused on the journey towards stardom.
The eight-episode series has been in the works since 2019 and became available for streaming on July 21, 2022. Issa Rae wrote the pilot for the series and will serve as an executive producer under her company, Hoorae. Other names behind the scenes include EP’s Montrel McKay and Syreeta Singleton, who have both worked with Issa Rae on previous projects.
With the show being hip-hop infused, it is only right to have actual artists and music executives involved. Rap stars Yung Miami and JT of the City Girls are co-executive producers along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas of Quality Control Films. However, Issa Rae will also play a role in the audio aspect of the show as her other company, Raedio will handle music supervision for the series.
For those who want more of the show, check out the official podcast “Chat Sh!t,” hosted by Zach Campbell and Jessie Woo every Thursday. The duo help to unpack the latest episodes, discuss reactions to the series, share Miami history and make predictions on what is to come.
