It’s nearly the school summer holidays in China, and that means that one-time televisual juggernaut Rap of China is gearing up for a return — the first episode of the new season will air on Friday June 14. Although there are questions over just how much it still excites audiences, there was still no shortage of wannabe rap stars when the iQIYI show held auditions in Shanghai recently.

We headed down to meet some of the “young OG” hopefuls and ask them the all-important question, in the immortal words of Kris Wu: “You got freestyle?”

For some background on the significance of this phrase, click right here:

It’s All “Freestyle” – How Meaningless English Buzzwords Define China’s Pop Culture Trends

Article Aug 01, 2017

And for more on the upcoming season of Rap of China and its current standing in China’s hip hop scene, go here:

“Rap of China” Gears Up for Season 3 Despite Waning Interest

As the global horizon for Chinese rap expands, future prospects for the show that blew it up might be starting to shrink

Article Mar 27, 2019