Yo! MTV Raps

''Yo! MTV Raps'' is an American two-hour television music video program, which first aired on MTV Europe from 1987 to mid-90s and on MTV US from August 1988 to August 1995. The American version of the program (created by Ted Demme and Peter Dougherty) was the first hip hop music show on the network, and was based on the original MTV Europe show, which first aired one year before the American version. ''Yo! MTV Raps'' produced a mix of rap videos, interviews with rap stars, live in-studio performances (on Fridays), and comedy. The show also yielded a Brazilian version called ''Yo! MTV'' and broadcast by MTV Brasil from 1990 to 2005. MTV Germany also broadcats in 2023 as music program and playlist.

Hosts

The U.S. version was originally hosted by Fab 5 Freddy. Later, the show's main host was Doctor Dré and Demme's high school friend, Ed Lover who both hosted together on weekdays. Soon they were joined by Doctor Dre's Original Concept group member T Money. Fab 5 Freddy proceeded to host on weekends. The original line-up of the show, starring only Fab as the host, premiered on MTV on August 6, 1988.

On the weekday version dubbed, ''Yo! MTV Raps Today'' (which debuted on March 13, 1989), Ed Lover created his own dance called the ''Ed Lover Dance'' (which was typically featured on Wednesdays) that became somewhat popular in the 1990s. The Ed Lover Dance was performed to the track "The 900 Number" by The 45 King.

History

In 1987, French journalist and producer Sophie Bramly developed the program ''Yo!'' for the then nascent MTV Europe and she hosted it. Afrika Bambaataa is the first guest. Later N.W.A, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Ice-T, De La Soul, Eric B. & Rakim, EPMD or Ultramagnetic MCs were invited. The year after that, Run-DMC hosted the pilot episode in the US. Also featured in the pilot were DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Eric B. & Rakim's video for the title track of the album '' Follow the Leader'' was the first video to be shown on ''Yo! MTV Raps''. The pilot was one of the highest rated programs to ever air on MTV at that point. Only the Video Music Awards and Live Aid received greater ratings.

Shinehead's "Chain Gang" was the first video to be shown during a regular-season episode. Meanwhile, Ice-T's " High Rollers" was the first video to be played during the weekday show. The classic Yo! MTV Raps logo was created by early graffiti writer, Dr. Revolt. The animated show open was produced by Nigel Cox-Hagen and animated by Beau Tardy.

''Yo! MTV Raps'' and the spread of hip-hop

The advent of ''Yo! MTV Raps'' in the late 1980s was crucial to the spread of hip-hop around the world. Through MTV Europe, MTV Asia, and MTV Latino, African-American and Latino style and sound were instantly available to millions of people across the globe. This helped to create a worldwide appreciation and interest in the hip-hop scene, which is something that was celebrated on the ''Yo! MTV Raps'' 20th anniversary.

Rivalry

''Video Music Box'' being the first contender, in January 1989, former rival BET created competition when the network premiered '' Rap City ''(was a two-hour-long program, now an hour-long show as of July 2009). The show was the longest-running hip-hop program because of its 19-year run (ending in 2009). While ''Yo! MTV Raps, which is now discontinued, generally focused on the rap scene from the East Coast, ''Rap City'' also included videos from up-and-coming underground rappers from different regions of the US.

"Down With MTV"

One of the most popular artists to be featured on ''Yo! MTV Raps'' was Naughty by Nature. When MTV started its ''Down With MTV'' advertising campaign in 1992, Naughty by Nature's smash hit " O.P.P." was used as the basis.

Censorship and declining popularity

The ratings fell after pulling Public Enemy's video "By the Time I Get to Arizona" in 1991, claiming it was too violent. ''Yo! MTV Raps'' also came close to refusing to air the video for Cypress Hill's "How I Could Just Kill a Man." It was only after an intervention from Vice President of Music and Artist Development at MTV, Sheri Howell, that MTV changed their minds.

By around 1992–93, MTV aired ''Yo! MTV Raps'' only once a week, for two hours, on Fridays after midnight.

The end of ''Yo!''

''Yo! MTV Raps'' had its series finale on August 17, 1995. Numerous high-profile names in the world of hip-hop closed the show out with a freestyle rap session. Salt-N-Pepa holds the distinction of appearing on the first (technically, the first episode to feature Fab 5 Freddy) and last episodes of ''Yo! MTV Raps''.

From 1996 to 1999, MTV repackaged it as simply ''Yo!'' The repackaged version was far more stripped down. ''Yo!'' had a weekly slate of special guest hosts. For instance, Angie Martinez and Fatman Scoop served as its hosts. By 1998, ''Yo!'' had no guest hosts and became a one-hour program airing late Friday nights at 1 a.m. or 1:30 a.m. ( Eastern Standard Time).

In 2000, MTV's outlet for hip-hop videos became '' Direct Effect'', known since 2006 as ''Sucker Free''. It aired three times a week at around 7:00 PM ( Eastern Standard Time). It is one of the few music video outlets for MTV besides its late-night/early-morning music video rotation hours, as MTV continues to focus on non-music video programming, especially reality television shows.

Revival of sorts

''Yo! MTV Raps'' made a comeback of sorts, after an eight-year hiatus during the '' Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover'' in February 2008. It had Steve-O (alongside Sam Maccarone) promoting his new rap album, doing freestyles, and showing his new music video. The old set was carefully recreated, with Johnny Knoxville joking that Mike Judge created a brand new '' Beavis & Butthead'' episode with them critiquing Steve-O's rap video.

20th Anniversary

In April 2008, ''Yo! MTV Raps'' celebrated its 20th anniversary by making a comeback on MTV. MTV's show ''Sucker Free'' transformed into ''Yo! MTV Raps'' and featured classic hip-hop music videos as well as current hip-hop videos. Fab 5 Freddy, Doctor Dré and Ed Lover contributed to the tribute of the show. At the end of April 2008, MTV aired ''Yo!'' countdown shows and featured the top moments from the show during its airing on MTV.

30th Anniversary

''Yo! MTV Raps'' was revived for a new generation in 2018, celebrating the 30th anniversary at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on June 1, 2018.

The live show featured Big Daddy Kane and the Juice Crew, Eric B & Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions, EPMD, Flavor Flav, and many more. It also featured past hosts and DJs who helped shepherd the series, like Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, T Money, Skribble, Red Alert, and Chuck Chillout. Tribute videos from artists like Eminem, Method Man, and Redman also commemorated the occasion.

''Yo! MTV Raps'' International

In Spring 2019, Viacom International Media Networks relaunched the series with local versions in the UK, Germany, South-East Asia, and pan-African versions on MTV Base and MTV Africa. The Format and editorial of the series were headed by British TV producer Darcy Thomas. This also followed with a bi-weekly spin-off show ''Yo! MTV Rates'' hosted by Snoochie Shy and Poet, which aired in the UK and was also produced by Darcy Thomas for two seasons (16 episodes).

MTV Classic

Following the launch of MTV Classic on August 1, 2016, music video blocks have consistently aired on the network under the name ''Yo! Hip Hop Mix''. When broadcast, however, this is merely an automated playlist of rap/hip-hop videos from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Pluto TV

A ''Yo! MTV Raps'' channel was added to Pluto TV following Viacom's purchase of the service.

Paramount+

On February 24, 2021, it was announced that ''Yo! MTV Raps'' would be revived on ViacomCBS' streaming platform Paramount+, formerly CBS All Access. On February 17, 2022, it was announced that Conceited and DJ Diamond Kuts would host the revival. On May 2, 2022, it was announced that the revival would premiere on May 24, 2022.

References in popular culture

*In the ABC sitcom-drama '' Doogie Howser, M.D.'' from around the same time, Doogie is frequently seen wearing a ''Yo! MTV Raps'' white T-shirt, among other colors.
*A '' Magic: The Gathering'' podcast is named "Yo! MTG Taps", a reference to the "tapping" mechanic used in the game.
*There was a set of ''Yo! MTV Raps'' trading cards which featured the various hosts of the show and many of the artists whose videos were featured on the show.
*In the Ice Cube song "It Was a Good Day", the show is referenced in the lyrics "Went to Short Dog's house, they was watchin' ''Yo! MTV Raps''".
*In the Juelz Santana song “Good Times”, the show is referenced in the lyrics "'Memba them ol' "''Yo! MTV Raps''" man, I hope they bring ''Yo! MTV'' back".

See also

* '' Rap City''
* ''Who's the Man?''

References

External links

Yo! MTV Raps 20th Anniversary
on MTV.com

Jump The Shark - "Yo! MTV Raps"
*

VH1 Goes Inside "Yo! MTV Raps"



Hip-Hop's Greatest TV Moments - Yo! MTV Raps
*

Yo! MTV Raps England Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yo! Mtv Raps
1988 American television series debuts
1995 American television series endings
1980s American music television series
1990s American music television series
2022 American television series debuts
2020s American music television series
American television series revived after cancellation
MTV original programming
MTV weekday shows
Hip hop television
Paramount+ original programming