«New School»: same refrain

The French rap talent show is back for a second season on Netflix. The first season won over its audience. This season seems to be preaching to the same converted. The lack of renewal could leave rap skeptics on the sidelines.

Its debut catapulted it to the top spot on Netflix. So we could count on the platform to come up with a sequel to New Ecole. It’s been a done deal since the release of its latest episodes on May 31. The French series is relaunching a rap competition based on the same format. The three judges—SCH, Niska, and Shay—are back on the hunt for talent in their respective strongholds. We visit a grand hotel in Marseille, the rooftop of a building in the Paris suburbs, and Martinique, where several young talents face off and try to win over the star judges.

Once thirty gems have been unearthed, it’s a series of challenges specific to rap—including cyphers(group performances), battles and music videos—which unfolds so that the jury can select the best artist as the competition progresses. The winner will take home 100,000 euros. As in the first season, the series offers a comprehensive overview of the French-speaking hip-hop scene. Viewers are treated to a glimpse of the various French rap scenes and a diverse array of contestants who embody the genre’s many facets: from the top student who’s into «conscious rap» to the gangsta-a die-hard rapper. Season 2 also features its share of distinguished guests, including Rim’K, Médine, and Naps—all heavyweights in the French rap scene.

When School Doesn't Teach

Since the stage for the French-speaking hip-hop scene was set in the first installment, one might have expected something different from this sequel. However, it seems to fall back into one of its previous pitfalls: it’s still difficult to understand the logic behind the three judges’ deliberations when they react to the various performances.

Take, for example, contestant La Valentina from Episode 3, who, during her audition, delivered a performance with impeccable delivery and punchlines well executed. The energy is off the charts, and the audience seems won over. In the end, though, it’s a no: Shay explains that «technically, it wasn’t that great…,» and her two bandmates agree. We don’t get any further details. We won’t be seeing La Valentina again. As for the others, we’re never really told why they deserved their spots more. Everything seems to be based on the judges’ personal preferences, and we’re often left wanting more. This new school shows us its artistry; we would have also liked her to explain it to us.

Reality TV on Steroids

Although she doesn't seem able (or willing) to sell rap to the uninitiated, New School stands out for its television format: reality TV. Viewers will recognize in New School the genre’s key elements, with its strengths and weaknesses: staging that can sometimes feel contrived, with conflicts and suspense that seem fabricated, deep dives into the show’s strong personalities, and above all, fierce competition, in which each episode is scripted to lead into the next. Contestant WarEnd stands out as one of the most memorable. The young artist plays on a dual personality—part shadow, part light—which shines through in both his unique lyrics and his unsettling stage presence. While his artistic vision didn’t win over everyone, the contestant certainly left no one indifferent.

New School offers a major advantage over standard reality TV shows of this genre: a substantial budget for polished production. Particularly noteworthy is the impressive video production, with each musical performance featuring the aesthetic of a real rap music video: fast-paced editing, close-ups of the artists looking directly into the camera, and stunning urban backdrops.

While those who are skeptical of or indifferent to rap will likely come away from the experience feeling mostly confused, fans of modern rap (including the author of this piece, with some reservations) who are already finding what they’re looking for in today’s hip-hop scene will get their money’s worth with New School  – which is specifically looking for a contestant who fits into the current rap scene (which is heavily dominated by trap). Even if we don’t understand the judges’ reasoning, we still get caught up in the competition thanks to the contestants’ personalities and the judges’ banter. All of this is wrapped up in high-quality production.

Write to the author: jean.friedrich@leregardlibre.com

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