This year, SMTM has gotten a makeover of sorts. The new rolling points system (counted in dolla bills) has changed the competition by eliminating initial auditions and shifting the focus from crushing opponents to racking up an overall score. In Episode 3, the collaborative possibilities showcased how individual rappers can shine with the right material and direction, but also made for tense and entertaining reality tv without crazy drama. In a way, the change caters to the Korean ethos of teamwork and mirrors how the studio system shapes talent on their strengths. Notable acts include D.ark burning fire like early g-dragon, ODEE's smooth operator opener for team Nafla, fierce Black9, smooth Chow Yun Fat (I mean Cha Boom) and so much more.

Acknowledgement to Khiphopsubs who has allows us to watch SMTM by subbing and posting the episodes on their Facebook page.

Stoic "Flow Design" EK pulls out all the stops on a pseudo-satirical commercial throwaway track with a versatile performance that shouldn't be missed. And then pH1 countering with rap on a pop song instead of singing. And then follow all that up with YunB... Hilarious.


Other gems from the show were Superbee, Cha Boom, Dayday's "Next Level" 1st round performances in the head to head competitions.
"I'm on the legend level. I'm on another level. We on the next level."


Plus Nafla, EK and Bully
"Killin"


While the judges seem bored of competency and want artists to bring personality, expressing intent through control instead of manic showiness has been rewarded this season. If you are, however, going to bring energy to a repetitive trap style rap, then make it sharp like Coogie and Lee Dongmin.

Finally let's just marvel at how Superbee has transformed from a preeminent little s**t starter into a voice of restraint on SMTM 777.