Video Music Box
Encyclopedia
Video Music Box was one of the first television program
s ever to feature hip hop videos primarily. Created in 1983 by Ralph McDaniels
, it was one of the most influential television shows to give urban artists mainstream exposure. It aired on the New York City
-owned public television station WNYC-TV (now WPXN-TV
) in from 1984 to 1996. In 1996, the program moved to WNYE-TV
after WNYC-TV was sold by the City to a private company.
Many artists from the Golden Age of Hip Hop
made their debuts on Video Music Box. Although it is ostensibly a New York local show, its influence has been very widespread and has been considered a major factor in the growth of Hip hop
music and culture.
The show is hosted by Ralph McDaniels and Lionel "The Vid Kid" Martin.
, teen sex, and issues in hip hop and music in general.
The show also began to have theme-based shows for the week, such as Slow Jams on Tuesdays, Nervous Thursdays hosted by Crazy Sam, and Old-School Fridays. Among the other hosts the show has had during its run were Tuffy and Ray Dejon.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
s ever to feature hip hop videos primarily. Created in 1983 by Ralph McDaniels
Ralph McDaniels
Ralph “Uncle Ralph” McDaniels is a hip-hop culture pioneer, entrepreneur, and visionary who created Video Music Box, the first music video show focused exclusively to an urban market—broadcast on public television...
, it was one of the most influential television shows to give urban artists mainstream exposure. It aired on the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-owned public television station WNYC-TV (now WPXN-TV
WPXN-TV
WPXN-TV, which broadcasts on channel 31 in New York City, is the flagship station of the Ion Television network, formerly known as Pax TV and i.-Municipal ownership:...
) in from 1984 to 1996. In 1996, the program moved to WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV
WNYE-TV, channel 25 is an non-commercial educational, independent television station located in New York City, USA. WNYE-TV is part of the NYC Media Group and has its studios located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and transmitter at the Conde Nast Building....
after WNYC-TV was sold by the City to a private company.
Many artists from the Golden Age of Hip Hop
Golden age hip hop
Hip hop's "golden age" is a name given to a period in mainstream hip hop—usually cited as being a period varying in time frames during the 1980s and 1990s said to be characterized by its diversity, quality, innovation and influence. There were strong themes of Afrocentricity and political...
made their debuts on Video Music Box. Although it is ostensibly a New York local show, its influence has been very widespread and has been considered a major factor in the growth of Hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
music and culture.
The show is hosted by Ralph McDaniels and Lionel "The Vid Kid" Martin.
Show format & guest hosts
Video Music Box format differed from other video shows of its era and later by eschewing a studio format. Most shows were shot on-location throughout New York City in parks, schools, and nightclubs. During interludes from videos, the hosts would often allow regular people to give shout-outs to their friends and families. Very often, the hosts would do man on the street segments where they discussed the issues of the day, such as the first Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, teen sex, and issues in hip hop and music in general.
The show also began to have theme-based shows for the week, such as Slow Jams on Tuesdays, Nervous Thursdays hosted by Crazy Sam, and Old-School Fridays. Among the other hosts the show has had during its run were Tuffy and Ray Dejon.