We Watched the FIRST EVER Yo! MTV Raps (1988) — Rakim, Will Smith, LL Cool J & More

About this episode

The episode reviews and reacts to the pilot episode of Yo! MTV Raps, highlighting its significance in hip hop culture.

We set the wayback machine to August 6, 1988 to review and react to the pilot episode of Yo! MTV Raps. This show was a huge part of our upbringing in hip hop! Topics discussed: 🎤 The first video ever on Yo! 👑 A glimpse of a star ready to break out ⏰ Public Enemy shouts out rappers to check out Also check out: The first episode of Yo! MTV Raps (shout out to The Groove Theory on FB) Credits Hip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie. And remember: Don't hate...innovate! Check us out: Our next live event is LOUDER THAN A BOMB + live performance by Baby the Poet of Tribes and Vibes on April 22, 2026 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Free admission thanks to ArtsQuest! Get tickets now Check out our live event schedule and more at our Linktree . Hip Hop Movie Club on: TikTok Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky Substack (newsletter) Website

People in this episode

Hosts: JB, BooGie, DynoWright

Topics covered

• Yo! MTV Raps
• hip hop history
• music video review
• cultural impact
• classic hip hop
• Public Enemy

Keywords

• Yo! MTV Raps
• Rakim
• Will Smith
• LL Cool J
• Public Enemy
• hip hop
• music video
• 1988
• cultural impact

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yo! MTV Raps, Public Enemy

Books & works: The Groove Theory

Places: SteelStacks

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