Yo! MTV Raps was required viewing for any Hip Hop-loving kid between 1988 and 1995. Originally hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, the network eventually hired Ed Lover and Doctor Dre (no, not that Dr. Dre) to helm the iconic music video show.
Every episode, they would air the biggest acts from the golden era and often interview them on-set — from Run-DMC and Public Enemy to Queen Latifah and the Beastie Boys.
According to a recent Deadline article, Yo! MTV Raps is making a comeback — but not on MTV. The show will air on Paramount+ with hosted segments, live performances and Hip Hop “lifestyle content.” It joins the previously announced return of VH1’s Behind the Music.
“We are thrilled to re-invent some of our most storied and impactful music franchises, including Behind the Music and Yo! MTV Raps, for Paramount+,” ViacomCBS President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events Bruce Gilmer said. “In addition, we will partner with some of the biggest names across the music industry to bring exclusive and unique content to the platform, such as Dave Grohl’s Cradle to Stage based on his mom’s critically-acclaimed book, and many more to come.”
While no further details about the revamped show were available, one thing’s for certain — it doesn’t involve Doctor Dre or Ed Lover. HipHopDX reached out to Doctor Dre who confirmed, “I am not involved with the Yo! MTV Raps revival, not at all, but there are other opportunities and things coming to fruition.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic when concerts were still a thing, Yo! MTV Raps held a special 30th anniversary show at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center in June 2018.
Dubbed the Yo! MTV Raps: 30th Anniversary Experience, the event featured Big Daddy Kane, the Juice Crew, Eric B. and Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, EPMD, Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, the Furious Five, Pharcyde, Brand Nubian, Nice and Smooth, Onyx and Black Sheep, among others.
Doctor Dre Talks "Yo! MTV Raps" 30th Anniversary Concert & Possible Reboot
Doctor Dre was asked about a possible reboot from MTV at the time but was skeptical — and apparently for good reason.
“That’s what they say,” he said. “I don’t know how that’s going to work in today’s world. The unique thing about Yo! MTV Raps was videos were very important back then. In today’s streaming world, not sure how that would work. I’m not sure what they plan on doing.”
Have no interest in this as today’s hip hop stars are cornballs. Could you imagine a whole show with some of these mumble rappers? I’m glad I clicked on this though because I didn’t know Behind the Music was coming back. That was good back in the day, and I’d love to see more stories about old school bands, and there are plenty to update us on in the last 20 years from the 90s and 2000s that they didn’t get to before.
Mumble rap isn’t real. Just a term miracle lyrical rappers and old people use to shit on newer artists. SMH.
When I can’t understand the shit you’re rapping about, it’s mumble rap. Nobody is shitting on them. I called wack rappers wack rappers back in earlier eras too. You weirdos just defend and suck these fools dicks from your era like they have real talent.
Because new artists are cornballs with no skill. They don’t put the talent in. They make a ten second video and a few tweets and have millions of followers who never buy their. Music anyways… And because they’re so bad they need to be pushed even harder
Also every rapper should be a lyrical rapper. Lyrical is another word for talented
If they don’t have vats then why does anyone listen
Lyrical rap isn’t a miracle, but I can see how a lil uzi vert fan might think so.
Would be dope if they exposed only underground rappers from all coasts. Its some dope ass people out there who get no credit and make mainstream sound like doo- doo.
That’s what I’m saying!!!! I’m worried bc it might be a revived platform to keep feeding us the music that they keep dictating and shoving down our throats. I really hope it does focus on underground acts, real hip hop, and wholesome upcoming artists that have substance other than mumbling, drug / sex talk, misogyny and killing/tough talk. We the supporters of real hip hop, need that.
I so agree!
No thanks. Is watch reruns of the 90s show but the quality of music just ain’t there just now. Cancelling these shows at the time had ally to do with the drop in quality.
We as a nation have become so creatively bankrupt that we just recycle old classics over and over. Its just pathetic.