Kris Wu is one of the judges of the reality show The Rap of China.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Hip-hop is rising in China!"

This is the slogan of the country's first reality show focusing on the genre.

The first season of The Rap of China, which is produced by the country's major online-video platform iQiyi, will premiere on the website on Saturday and run weekly for 12 episodes a season.

The series is expected to bring the genre out from the "underground".

Production cost 200 million yuan ($29 million).

Over 700 people auditioned in the first round in early May, which is shown in the first episode, and 70 will appear later in the series.

The judges were 27-year-old superstar Kris Wu, and Taiwan musicians Wilber Pan, 43-year-old Chang Chen-yue and MC Hotdog (the stage name of Yao Chung-jen).

"The participants' zest and spirit remind me of my teen years," says Chang.

"It's great to open a door to Chinese hip-hop and dig out more talent."

Chang confesses he didn't even know what criteria should be used to judge candidates, since the genre isn't mainstream.

"I'm also learning in the show," he says. "After all, hip-hop is beyond voice or rhythm. I generally prefer someone with a strong hip-hop temperament and energy."

Wu points out many Chinese stereotype rappers as having strange clothing and makeup.

"It represents passion and a lifestyle," he explains.

"It's a small circle in China. Many rappers are good but switch to other genres to make money."

Wu expects the new show to turn this around.

The Rap of China features both amateurs and stars. Some candidates wore masks to hide their identities during auditions.