Jermaine Dupri’s The Rap Game crowned a season 5 winner Thursday night, and fans had a lot to say.
Los Angeles rapper Tyeler Reign, 16, took home the chain and a contract with So So Def Records.
“She has the total package,” Dupri said about Reign, whose fierce lyrics, energetic performances and positive attitude carried her over the finish line.
“This is so exciting,” Reign said. “I can’t believe I won.”
#TheRapGame Who Cares How They Feel ? @therealestnova pic.twitter.com/XmmtrN5m2z
— ? (@tyelerreign) March 1, 2019
The teen was almost eliminated in the first week. But she continued to show improvement over ten weeks of competition and ranked number 1 more than anyone else in the game.
With Miami rapper, Queen Amaya, and Chattanooga’s Eli Triplett sent home over the past couple of weeks, that left Nya Kasan and Sire in the house.
Atlanta’s Sire came in second place. The 14-year-old and his fast-talking, race-baiting momager, Brandi, left the competition heartbroken after missing out on the contract they desperately wanted to help lift their family out of poverty and a cramped trailer.
Dupri told Sire he’s incredibly talented, but warned the teen to stop with the “antics.”
Nya, 16, took third place. The stunned Detroit rapper thought she had the win “in the bag,” but when Dupri told her she’d be leaving without the chain, she refused to shake his hand. Fans were divided over the outcome and lit up Twitter.
One person thought Nya should have gotten the contract, tweeting: “I need my girl Nya to win.”
I need my girl Nya to win #TheRapGame
— AllDolledUp (@RyeeseaDollM3Up) March 8, 2019
But others thought the Motor City rapper lacked humility.
“Nya didn’t even respectfully thank JD for the opportunity… bye girl that’s why you didnt win. ATTITUDE,” one person tweeted.
Nya didnt even respectfully thank JD for the opportunity… bye girl that's why you didnt win. ATTITUDE. #TheRapGame
— Codi (@Codishaa) March 8, 2019
Several others criticized Brandi for putting too much weight on 14-year-old Sire’s shoulders.
“I feel for Sire. That’s a lot of pressure to put on that CHILD. It’s not his responsibility to get y’all out the trailer,” someone wrote.
I feel for Sire. That's a lot of pressure to put on that CHILD. It's not his responsibility to get y'all out the trailer. #TheRapGame
— QueenKP?? (@kp_314) March 8, 2019
“I hate the pressure this kid lives under. He had to console his mom and not the other was around,” another person added.
I hate the pressure this kid lives under. He had to console his mom and not the other was around. #therapgame #sire
— Karli (@Karlishawn) March 8, 2019
Still someone else thought all three finalists were incredible: “I think all three kids did amazing.”
I think all three kids did amazing… #TheRapGame
— Ash The Entrepreneur (@AuthenticSass) March 8, 2019
Check out the clip from Season 5 of The Rap Game below.
