For the entire month of April, MTV is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Yo! MTV Raps. Yo! MTV Raps blazed the trail for showcasing hip-hop and urban culture through the mainstream video giant MTV. Yo!MTV Raps also provided one of the clearest and widest connections between urban and suburban America.
More impressive than the historical significance of this show was the authenticity and sincerity of the show. Over the years of broadcast, Yo!MTV Raps covered the growth of hip-hop from coast to coast. Covering the full spectrum while maintaining a connection with the up and coming street artists.
While the burgeoning BET had RAP City, the production and level of talent that came on Yo!MTV Raps eventually made it no contest. I remember rushing home or over to my friends house to see Yo!MTV Raps and pick up the latest in hip-hop, the haircuts, clothes, music and dances. I identified with the show and enjoyed every episode. At the time, it was one of the few ways you could catch the latest hip-hop videos.
Since Yo!MTV Raps was dropped from the line-up in 1995 there has been a void that hasn't ever been filled the same way for hip-hop and videos. If there's a petition to bring back Yo!MTV Raps please put my name at the top of the list.
Click here to view the recently taped Yo!MTV Raps Roundtable that brought together MTV VJ Sway facilitating a sit down with Yo! royalty Fab 5 Freddy, Dr. Dre & Ed Lover. Also commenting are Fabolous, Doug E. Fresh, Nelson George, Nekesa Moody, and Elliott Wilson. They chop up the power of the show and have a dialogue that is memorable.
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