CNN
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Before becoming a platinum-selling artist, rapper Latto competed in the reality competition The Rap Game.

Now she’s taking the stage as a judge on the new season of the Netflix hip-hop competition series “Rhythm + Flow.”

“It was fun to be on the other end of the stick,” Latto told CNN. “At first I was nervous because I thought, ‘Oh my God, I was in her shoes.’ I know what it feels like to be embarrassed. So I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be too soft.'”

Viewers can decide for themselves how tough it is when Netflix streams the series’ second season, in which Latto, fellow rapper Ludacris and producer DJ Khaled serve as judges.

Contestants write new tracks, compete in battles and perform for a chance to win $250,000. You can also interact with some heavyweights in the industry.

Although the show is incredibly competitive, many of the contestants have become very close.

“It’s an experience only we can understand,” said participant Jaxs. “No one else can understand this experience, only the other competitors.”

Contestant Rhome said the production team supported him well throughout the process.

“The greatest blessing about ‘Rhythm and Flow’ and Netflix is ​​that they have stuck with us,” he said. “They really said, ‘We want to highlight the talent.’ We want to highlight the people who are on the show.’”

That included sharing the sometimes painful backstories of participants like Detroit Diamond, who got into rap because of tragedy.

In particular, she spoke to CNN about her joy in taking part in a competition with so many other talented women.

“I get into the situation and then I meet all these different women. In my head I’m like, yeah, everyone who comes can rap. “You expect them to be able to rap because they’ve made it this far,” Detroit Diamond said. “But then when you actually saw people perform and heard their songs and just saw their personalities, I thought, OK, yeah, in the next few years we’re going to take off and it’s going to be great hands.”

Atlanta plays a big role in the show. Ludacris told CNN that this was the case given the city’s history and hip-hop.

“Here in Atlanta, it’s just one of those melting pots where you see so many different styles and people using their creativity to express themselves,” he said. “That’s exactly what it’s about.”

DJ Khaled said he wanted to attend the show “to hear something new.”

“Looking for that new person to break new barriers, you know what I mean?” he said. “I remember listening to Outkast for the first time. I remember listening to UGK, I remember listening to Jay-Z, I remember hearing Luda for the first time.”

“Luda came out when he first came out, you can have artists and do a boom like that, a short thumb that sticks out in a great way. The man’s cadence, the man’s flow, the beat selection,” DJ Khaled added. “Not just because (Ludacris) is here, but because it’s a perfect example of something new. Luda is the type of person who also brought the visual elements. That’s why I look for all of this, all of these artists, because there’s so much music coming out, which is a blessing.”

The second season of Rhythm + Flow is currently streaming on Netflix.