By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Saturday, February 20, 2016
When Jermaine Dupri hosted a screening of his new Lifetime show last month "The Rap Game," only one of the five kids competing for a record contract showed up: Miss Mulatto from Atlanta.
That alone gave a strong clue she had won. Indeed, in the season finale that aired last night, Dupri signed the 16-year-old rapper to Dupri's legendary So So Def record label.
Miss Mulatto had a white mom and black dad so she decided to take what was considered an insult for a mixed-race person and use it as her rap name.
Over eight episodes with challenges such as choreography, writing, a rap battle and video, Miss Mulatto was the most consistent of the five kids. She brought a confident attitude along with a strong image, good writing and a solid rapping style. Dupri, who discovered Kris Kross and Lil Bow Wow, is hoping she can become the newest teen rap star.
Usher, Ludacris and Da Brat were among Dupri's buddies who showed up to help him out this season.
Miss Mulatto, performing at Suite Food Lounge downtown in the final challenge, beat out fellow Atlantan Supa Peach, Houston's Young Lyric, Brockton, Mass.'s Lil Poopy and San Diego's Lil Niqo.
Dupri was impressed with all five of them in their final showdown. They all came to win. But only one could take the prize.
He said Young Lyric broke out of her shell and improved greatly but he questioned her rap clarity. Niqo, who had a previous record deal, is a bit laid back but had more fun on stage in the final challenge. Poopy was inconsistent over the eight episodes but Dupri liked his lyrical content. Supa Peach was in your face, but her writing was shaky.
Dupri wanted Miss Mulatto to "break out of polish mode and give us a raw performance. Mulatto stomping around brought the house down!"
He ranked them in this order:
5. Lil Poopy
4. Supa Peach (surprise!)
3. Young Lyric
2. Lil Niqo
1- Miss Mulatto
Dupri liked Niqo's lyrical content the best but Mulatto felt most experienced.
"I can't wait to get in the studio with you," Dupri said after rewarding the contract to her. "I believe we can make magic."
"It means everything to me," Miss Mulatto said. "I'm the happiest person in the world right now."
TV PREVIEW
"The Rap Game Reunion Special," 10 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2016, Lifetime
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