Hip hop has always thrived on competition, and few understand that better than KXNG Crooked. From his early rise to time in Eminem’s Slaughterhouse to to hosting “One Shot” to sharing his wisdom with rap connoisseurs, Crook has championed raw talent. Now, with “Beatz N Barz”, he is helping create the next big hip hop competition — one that echoes a legacy Eminem himself helped shape.
Longtime fans will remember “Total Slaughter”, the battle rap show Eminem and Shady Records launched in 2014. It was meant to bring high-level lyricism to the mainstream, with professional production and a platform for battle rap’s best. Slaughterhouse had an important role to play on the project, and Crook was there, watching as Joe Budden went head to head with Hollow Da Don in what was supposed to be battle rap’s biggest moment. Though the show did not gain lasting traction, it laid the groundwork for what came next.
The very next year, Crook was judging a new show which, as he says, was stolen later for creating Rhythm+Flow without ever giving the original creator, him included, a credit. Now, he is reviving that competitive energy — this time with a fresh format. Crook posted on his social media account:
So last time I saw something I wanted changed I created a tv show for @BET called One Shot.. Hip Hop competition.. 2015 I think.. The grand prize was $100k & album deal. We had fun! Times have changed now so this time it’s BEATZ-N-BARZ and the grand prize is $250k… new tv
The show will travel to 10 cities, pairing elite emcees and producers to create full albums. The top three teams will battle for a $250,000 grand prize, with guidance from hip hop’s biggest names, including Crook, Rah Digga, Erick Sermon, and executive producer Sway Calloway.
Eminem has always been about skill, and his influence in rap competitions — from “8 Mile” to “Total Slaughter” — looms large over this new era. Crook, who spent years in the Shady Records orbit, knows the importance of giving upcoming artists a true proving ground.
Now, with Beatz N Barz, he aims to give rising talent the ultimate opportunity — not just to win, but to leave a lasting mark on the culture.
Set to premiere in 2025 on Red Coral Universe, Beatz N Barz is taking hip hop back to its roots: beats, bars, and competition. Think you have got what it takes? It’s time to prove it. If you live in the US, you can sign up for this competition.
