“Prototype Rapstar”: Sido, PA Sports & Co. are pushing Massiv’s show forward despite the playback accusation
Rapper Massiv’s YouTube casting format “Prototyp Rapstar” recently went into the fourth round. Despite clear criticism, especially of the playback performances, the show received a lot of attention: the show with Sido, PA Sports and Ali Bumaye was able to generate almost half a million clicks. PA Sports recently came forward via Instagram with a statement about the fan reviews. The rapper thinks what people say is “the biggest nonsense” and explains what the YouTube format means to him.
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New casting format causes a stir
“Prototyp Rapstar,” a new YouTube format from Massiv, launched on October 11th, which aims to put the genre at the center of a classic casting show. There are now four episodes with Sido, PA Sports, Ali Bumaye as well as the special guests Eko Fresh and actor Kida Ramadan, as well as the rappers Jamule and Laas.
Together they are looking for the “rap stars of tomorrow,” as the official announcement says. The first episode already triggered numerous negative reactions. The sore point: The candidates’ performances are not live, but are played back via playback. And this despite there being a live audience in the studio – a dealbreaker for many fans. The selection of candidates didn’t initially particularly excite those watching; According to comments, they are “neither authentic nor creative”. One user wrote: “The show should be called ‘Prototype Gangster Rapstar’. If you go by the lyrics, they’re all pimps and drug lords.”
The seriousness of the format was questioned – from the newcomers competing to the production itself. Even the presentation of the trailer was ridiculed because it resembled a dramatized rap version of the “Game of Thrones” opening credits. Despite the criticism, the format is widely watched. The fourth episode was released on October 20th and already has more than 900 comments. The online availability of the show – whether rated positively or negatively by fans – ensures intensive interaction with Massiv’s format. This means that “Prototype Rapstar” remains in the conversation, even if, according to viewers, it loses quality.
What happened so far: These acts received the “Golden Mic”
The casting format is still widely respected – whether the entertainment value comes from quality or the lack of it seems secondary.
In each episode, half of the candidates are allowed to continue. After a total of ten preliminary rounds, the 50 remaining newcomers compete against each other again. There is also the opportunity per episode to receive the “Golden Mic” from one of the changing special guests – this means you go straight to the next round and enjoy immunity from the jury.
In the first episode, Eko Fresh awarded the microphone to rapper Jaezshecan, in the second episode, “4 Blocks” actor Kida Ramadan presented the “Golden Mic” to Gibba, followed by Moloch, awarded by rapper Jamule. In the most recent episode, lyric rapper Laas sat in the control room and gave decision-making immunity to Regi, who had “personally touched” him with his half-rap, half-singing track.
PA Sports comments on the playback criticism
Now PA Sports – rapper, unofficial Brabus ambassador and judge of the YouTube show – commented on the fans’ criticisms. In an Instagram question and answer session, he explained why Massiv’s production team decided against live performances and in favor of playback. It’s clear to him: “Without songs, there’s no live show. Vice versa. If you can perform live, I’m interested in top 10 at the earliest.”
He doesn’t understand why so many people are bothered by the combination of playback and live audience and thinks the comments are “the greatest nonsense”. For him, there is as much work in preparing the songs as in the performance itself. Furthermore, the YouTube format is not about casting someone for a festival appearance, but rather about “finding a ready-made artist who knows how to produce the right song and put themselves in the spotlight.”
Can you find new artists on TikTok and not at open mic jams?
The acts also appear with playback in other hip-hop casting formats such as “ICON” or “Rap LaRue”. Plus: At Massiv’s show, the newcomers start directly with their finished product and are not shown developing a track. But PA Sports also has a counterargument to this – the way fans discover new artists these days. Newcomers would find these on YouTube, TikTok or Spotify – not “at the next open mic jam in the youth center”.
“Prototyp Rapstar” originally had the goal of finding acts that… more can be used as hooks and TikTok Reels. Nevertheless, PA Sports is satisfied with the show and its role as a judge. The format is also impressive in terms of numbers: “And once we find out what we can win, there’s a shift in the hole anyway,” adds PA Sports.
The show’s debut has already been viewed more than half a million times on YouTube, and the three subsequent episodes each have six-figure views.