TUNE IN ALERT: Season 5 of The Rap Game premieres on the second Thursday in January

Watch a preview for Season 5 of The Rap Game. 

Rapper Bow Wow will sit in for show creator Jermaine Dupri in this season of Lifetime's The Rap Game.  Same format -- 6 young contestants lyrically battling for 1 contract with Dupri's So So Def label.  The show promise a rap battle every episode with assistance provided by industry pros Will.I.Am, Lil Jon, Xscape, Killer Mike, Rapsody and Jacquees.   Season 5 of the Rap Game premieres on January 10 at 9/8C on Lifetime. In the  following week (1/17) the show returns to its regularly scheduled time slot of 10 pm ET/PT. 

The Rap Game Season 5 artists include:

Eli Triplett, 15, Chattanooga, TN - This Tennesee kid is raised by a single dad who works four jobs at a time to support his kids. Eli is a great boxer and basketball player, but it's always been writing music that's helped him to cope with his stress.

Lil Richye, 13, Charlotte, NC - Lil Richye's parents run a record label and Richye is their star client. The youngest of the family, he started writing his own rap music at age 10, and won "Best youth Hip Hop Artist of the year" at the 2016 Queen City Music Awards.

Nya Kasan, 16, Detroit, MI - A spunky teenager, this "girl power" rapper from Detroit is a master battler who's ready to destroy the competition. After growing up in a neighborhood surrounded by gang violence, she's determined to turn tragedy into triumph.

Queen Amayah, 15, Miami, FL - Bold and unapologetic, Queen Amaya brings an east coast flare reminiscent of Biggie. A mix of Iranian, Puerto Rican and Cuban, she's a smart storyteller and passionate rapper who has even challenged her teacher to a rap battle.

Sire, 14, Atlanta, GA - Sire's talent and personality are big and bold. His huge family of 10 recently uprooted their whole world and relocated to ATLANTA to support Sire in pursuing his career. He considers himself a prolific writer, a great dancer, and an amazing live performer.

Tyeler Reign, 16, Los Angeles, CA - Tyeler has opened up for big names like Busta Rhymes and Silento. Nearly every adult in Tyler's life is in the music industry, and with her energetic overzealous mother by her side, she's one to beat.