Trailblazing TV series Video Music Box is the first American television program to feature hip-hop music videos. During the 1980’s and through the 1990’s, during the Golden Age of Hip Hop, nearly every popular American hip hop artist appeared on the show, either live or through one of the artist’s music videos. Entrepreneur and Producer Ralph McDaniels – a.k.a. “Uncle Ralph” – founded the series while working as a Broadcast Engineer at Public Broadcaster WNYC. He has curated and hosted the series for more than 40 years and continues to archive and present footage from the original series, as well as make personal appearances at concerts, trade shows and on television series, as of 2024. McDaniels has directed and produced more than 400 music videos for musicians, including Wu-Tang Clan, “C.R.E.A.M” (1993); Nas, “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” (1994); and Roxanne Shanté, “Roxanne-Roxanne” (1995). He also co-produced the feature films Juice (1992) and Roxanne Roxanne (Netflix 2018), along with numerous documentaries.

Video Music Box differed from other video shows of its era by ditching a studio format. Most episodes were shot on-location throughout New York City, in parks, schools, concerts and nightclubs. During interludes between videos, the hosts allowed fans to give on-air shout outs to friends and family. The hosts would also conduct man-on-the-street interviews, discussing topics of the day, such as the first Gulf War, teen sex, and issues in music.

The show also featured such theme-based shows during the week as slow jams 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.

Video Music Box was the subject of a 2021 Showtime documentary called You’re Watching Video Music Box.

As of 2024, Video Music Box airs on Saturday nights at midnight and Thursdays at 2:30 AM on NYCTV Channel 25/22.

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