113. Rap City: How Hip-Hop Was Made Mainstream (with Alvin Jones)
Description
In this episode, Mat and Tim are joined by Alvin Jones, otherwise known as "The Unseen VJ" – the man who created Rap City, a long-running music video program on BET. He tells the buddies what inspired him to push for greater hip-hop representation on BET in the mid- to late-80s, and reflects on the impact his advocacy has had on the tapestry of hip-hop and rap in the decades since.
FURTHER VIEWING:
The 17th Annual Blacks In Wax: Hip Hop: The Music, The Culture, The Struggle at The Kennedy Center, March 16, 2024
Welcome To Rap City - Three-Part Documentary on BET
SONGS PLAYED:
Excerpt from Rap City, 1990
Excerpt from Blacks In Wax at The Kennedy Center, 2024
Excerpt from Video Soul, 1987
Excerpt from Video Vibrations, 1986
Doug E. Fresh - D.E.F. = Doug E. Fresh
Excerpt from CBS News' coverage of the March on Washington, 1963
Excerpt from Rap City: The Basement
New Edition - Earth Angel
DISCLAIMER:
Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.
Pucker up! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on a sub-sub-sub-genre of emo music that was, plain and simple, made for kissin'. (And for weeping over the kisses you'll no longer get.) Plus: circling back to the presidential canine situation.
SONGS PLAYED:
From First To Last - Emily
Secondhand...
Published 05/07/24
In this solo ep, Tim's thinking different! He recalls the remarkable history of the iPod and the rise of the digital music era – and suggests that the golden age of music consumption is in the rearview.
SONGS PLAYED:
Yuzzy - A Little Morning
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Yuzzy - Running...
Published 04/29/24