Rhythm + Flow Italy Season 2 Episode 4 recap: Rappers battle it out in a cypher, the first contestants are eliminated 

On March 31, 2025, the second season of Netflix's Rhythm + Flow Italy premiered, bringing new talent and huge stakes to the competitive rap scene. As the competition saw its first eliminations, Episode 4, appropriately named "Rap Shows No Mercy," lived up to its title.

As aspiring rappers from a variety of backgrounds demonstrated their abilities in the high-pressure setting of the cypher round, judges Rose Villain, Fabri Fibra, and Geolier had to make difficult choices.

The idea behind Rhythm + Flow Italy is still the same: through a series of progressively challenging tasks, find Italy's next major rap sensation. Contestants that made it through the auditions were split into two teams of five in this crucial show, and their goal was to win over the judges and move on to the Battles.

One competitor was given a golden ticket straight to the next round of Rhythm + Flow Italy, while the rest had to endure an examination that would decide whether their trip went on or ended abruptly.

What happened during this episode of Rhythm + Flow Italy?

This episode of Rhythm + Flow Italy picked up where the previous one left off, with Nox narrowly escaping elimination after Rose Villain vouched for him, promising to take "full responsibility" for the decision. Despite advancing, Nox wasn't celebrating:

"Right now, I feel like I'm leaving as a loser. It feels the same as if I'd lost," he confessed to the cameras.

Amon, 22, was next. The Rhythm + Flow Italy judges were so delighted with his performance that he was given a direct ticket to the Battles phase, which allowed him to bypass the cypher completely. He "did something very American" and "crushed it from start to finish," according to Fabri, who appreciated his performance but pointed out that Amon's words were occasionally hard to follow.

The Rhythm + Flow Italy judges showed no mercy to several contestants who failed to meet their standards. Eighteen-year-old Ayo Ally's "pretty standard" verses didn't convince Rose, who expected "something much more unique." Similarly, 19-year-old Fiore Akamono and contestant Jasmin were sent packing.

When eliminating Jasmin, Fabri didn't mince words:

"If you really wanna rap, then you can't just keep on dancing around it. You've got one chance and you've gotta strike while the iron's hot."

Ten contestants advanced to the cypher round, splitting into two teams of five. The first team featured Lina (leader), Nox, Krifal, Flykush, and Spampy. Team two consisted of Vago (leader), Nachelo, Eos, Erness, and JoeJoe.

Lina had impressed the judges enough to lead her team despite Fabri's criticism of her enunciation. He admitted he could "barely understand" her first verse, but Rose jumped to Lina's defense, insisting she sang "amazingly."

Rhythm + Flow Italy contestant Nachelo earned his spot by sharing his personal story through raw verses about the hardships he and his mother faced after her arrest. His authentic approach resonated with the judges, particularly Rose, who appreciated his "raw" style.

What happened during the cypher?

JoeJoe landed the coveted final spot in his group's performance, much to Eos’ dismay —he’d had his eye on that position too. In a rather candid moment, Eos admitted the snub stung more than just his ego. It took him back to childhood memories of feeling overlooked, a familiar sting tied to past experiences with racial bias.

Nox had his own battle going on. The last time he hit the stage, he blanked on his lyrics; painful enough on its own, but doubly so because he’d been rapping about his late father. Now, with the cypher looming, the pressure wasn’t just on. It was crushing. Every contestant knew: one wrong move, and their shot at the competition could vanish in an instant.

"They don't know English, or they don't know the genre that came out two months ago, in America," complained eliminated contestant Leam after judges criticized him for not taking his art seriously enough.

Rose explained the dual nature of the challenge:

"The Cypher would be a team effort, but at the same time an opportunity for individuals to shine through."

Both Rhythm + Flow Italy teams delivered strong performances, making it particularly difficult for the judges to come to a consensus. As they discussed which performers failed to leave a mark, three names emerged: Krifal, Spampy, and Flykush.

Rhythm + Flow Italy wasn’t about to let fans off easy. Just as the stakes hit their peak, the episode cut out, leaving everyone guessing who would power through to the next stage. With the judges deep in debate, weighing skill, charisma, and star potential, the competition felt more unpredictable than ever, ensuring viewers had no choice but to tune in for answers.

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Rhythm + Flow Italy Season 2 is available to stream only on Netflix.