Heads up, this podcast contains explicit language.

The HBO Max series, Rapshit, feels like a comedy for the moment.

It's about Shada and Mia, two aspiring rappers from Miami,

and the challenges they face as young women trying to break into the industry.

SoulShin Media plays a huge role, and for these Gen Z millennial cuspers,

life exists largely through the lens of a camera phone.

The show was created by Issa Rae, and the DNA of her breakthrough hit in Secure is evident here.

But its protagonists are more than just Issa and Molly 2.0.

I'm Mia Sheha Harris, and today we're talking about Rapshit, on Pop Quotor Happy Hour from NPR.

Joining me today is the co-host of NPR's Ladder Than a Riot Podcast, Sydney Madden.

Welcome back Sydney.

Thank you Aisha, I'm excited.

I know we've been waiting to talk about this together for a while, so this is...

We have a lot of group chats back and forth about this show.

Yes, yes, yes.

So on Rapshit, Aida Osman plays Shauna Clark, a hotel clerk in Miami who's struggling to get her rap career off the ground.

She reconnects with Mia, an old friend from high school, and single mom, who's played by Camillean.

Together they decide to start a rap group and attempt to blend their styles and approaches.

Shauna sees herself as a conscious rapper and actively resisted hearing to the Cardi B-like beauty standards dominating hip-hop right now.

Mia, a flamboyant, makeup artist, and only fans performer, is more willing to play the game and appeal to the masses.

The show follows them as they balance various side hustles while making a name for themselves on the Miami scene.

It's kind of like Atlanta or Dave, two other comedies about aspiring rappers if you've seen those or remember those at all.

...