Real Sh!t

At risk of sounding cliche, Rap Sh!t is some Real Sh!t. And as someone raised by a Miami native, I know authentic Miami-ness when I see it. The HBOMax show takes place in Miami and follows Mia (KaMillion) and Shawna (Aida Osman), former high school best friends, who are trying to succeed in the rap music industry. Created and produced by Issa Rae, it is no surprise that the show is a hit.

If this show had been set in any other city, I don’t think it would have the same level of authenticity. Miami was also the only choice when you consider that the City Girls are executive producers. The show is loosely based on their story and similarities can be found in Mia’s accent, outfits and personality mirroring both Yung Miami and JT and Shawna’s penchant for credit card fraud, which sent JT to jail in 2018.

Miami is aesthetically beautiful which the show captures with shots on the beach, luxury hotels, neon-lit bars and of course the raw buildings of the Miami hood. The characters record all of this and post every moment and experience to social media. Each emotion, accomplishment, new dollar, luxury experience and anything worthy of a flex is posted to their Instagrams. However, flexing can backfire and I was holding my breath the entire season, waiting for someone to take advantage of the fact that Mia and Shawna post where they are and how they’re living at all times. Miami party culture feeds into this world of excess, so it can be difficult to keep up with the classic Miami luxury experience if you live there, but don’t have the money to live like you’re on vacation every weekend. This leads people like Mia and Shawna to “seduce and scheme” just to play the part.

I spent five years growing up in Miami and my mom was born and raised in Miami-Dade County. There were lines that really only people from Miami would appreciate that had us dying from laughter like Shawna pronouncing the “ch” sound in conch, a Miami delicacy. Anyone from Florida will tell you it’s pronounced conk. Despite distinct cultural features, Miami is not a one-size-fits-all community.

Mia is a single mother with a music producing co-parent who helps out when he feels like it. Her own father, E-Block, is in jail for murder. Her mother drinks while babysitting Mia’s daughter and let’s just say is not the most emotionally intelligent. However, Mia tries to be better for her own child. She apologizes for snapping at her daughter out of frustration, advocates for her at school, and makes sure she is well taken care of. However, as I’ve seen with my own hardworking mom, it wears on you. Seeing Mia acknowledge her mental health during a particularly rough moment for her and communicate how much pressure she felt to take care of her daughter while struggling to take care of herself grounded this show in much more than fun music and bright outfits. Rap Sh!t gave us a glimpse into what it is really like to try to make it in the rap game while still having to maintain your own life.

While Shawna does not have the same accent or demeanor as Mia, her character is just as real. The pair fell out after high school because Mia felt Shawna thought she was better than her. By the way Shawna dresses, speaks and carries herself in comparison to Mia, I can see why. Shawna has always wanted to be a rapper but she would rather rap about capitalism and civil rights than cars and clothes. Of course this creates tension between the two girls and makes it difficult for them to get on the same page about their duo’s music at first. Eventually, they make it work, but what makes Shawna’s character realistic for me is that even when she says she’s changing and really cares, she always prioritizes herself and her interests over everyone else’s around her. As my mom and the City Girls would say, she’s flaw. I think anyone can think of that one friend they have just like that.

Issa Rae has once again brought a loveable group of 20-somethings to our screens in an authentic and relatable way. I don’t know about you, but I will be tuned in to see what happens next on season 2 of Rap Sh!t. Especially after the season finale ending that I think we all saw coming.

Stream the whole first season of Rap Sh!t on HBO Max!