Watch Rate The Bars

Rate The Bars is a unique and innovative music series produced by BET+. The show is hosted by the renowned rapper Remy Ma, who guides the audience through the art of hip-hop songwriting and invites celebrated hip-hop artists to evaluate the lyrics of their peers. The format of the show is straightforward - eight to ten bars of different hip-hop songs are presented to a guest rapper, who has to evaluate the quality of the lyrics, flow, and overall impact of the bars on a scale of 1 to 5. The artists rate each line independently, without knowing who wrote it, and then reveal their scores, analyzing each bar in detail.

The guests featured on the show represent a wide range of rap styles and backgrounds, including established veterans such as Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, and Jadakiss, as well as up-and-coming stars like Megan Thee Stallion, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Baby. By bringing together artists from different eras and regions, Rate The Bars creates a dynamic and engaging environment for showcasing the artistry of hip-hop.

The show's primary focus is on lyricism, which makes it stand out from other music evaluation shows. The artists invited to rate the bars are not just judging the beats or the production value, but essentially the writer's craft and skill, highlighting the importance of rhyming, multisyllabic wordplay, and strong metaphors. Remy Ma often chimes in with her own commentary or provides context for niche references, making the show an enriching experience for rap enthusiasts.

An exciting part of the show is the range of emotions and reactions the artist's display as they rate the bars. Some lines get straight-up 5s across the board, while others have the rappers recoiling in horror at the poor quality of the writing. The scoring system allows for honest feedback, and it is enlightening to see how the highest level rappers evaluate their peers' verses.

The production value for Rate The Bars is top-notch, with slick graphics and engaging editing that keeps the pace brisk and exciting. The show's setting is minimalistic, with the focus on the lyrics and the artist's reactions, making it a truly immersive and authentic hip-hop experience.

In addition, the show also highlights the dynamic between the guest artists, who often share personal anecdotes or insights into their creative process. This makes for some genuinely touching and sincere moments, such as Snoop Dogg sharing that he admires Tupac for his honesty in his lyrics, or Megan Thee Stallion revealing that her mom encouraged her to rap and write down her feelings.

Rate The Bars is a refreshing take on music evaluation shows, with its focus on lyrics and skills setting it apart from the generic formulaic formats prevalent in the genre. The show is engaging, insightful, and often humorous, making it a must-watch for hip-hop fans and newcomers alike.

In conclusion, Rate The Bars is an exceptional show that elevates rap as an art form and shines a light on the skills and mastery required in crafting impactful lyrics. The show successfully introduces a unique and innovative concept that showcases the beauty and nuances of hip-hop while also humanizing the artists behind the verses. It is an excellently produced, informative, and entertaining series that is sure to resonate with hip-hop lovers everywhere.

Rate The Bars is a series that ran for 4 seasons (44 episodes) between August 1, 2016 and on BET+