August 18th Events & Coupons

Auctions, Pop Ups and Marketplaces See All

Netflix Bites MGM Grand Las Vegas
Pop Ups and Vendor Markets | Feb 11, 2025 - Feb 20, 2026
United States > Nevada > Las Vegas > > 89109

Conventions, Live Shows and Fairs See All

Hall of Excellence Rare Sports Memorabilia Exhibition at Fontainebleau
Memorabilia Exhibition | Jun 20 - Dec 31, 2025
United States > Nevada > Las Vegas > > 89109
Michael Jackson MJJ5 Exhibition at The Showboat Resort
Memorabilia Exhibition | Jun 15 - Aug 31, 2025
United States > New Jersey > Atlantic City > > 08401

Coupons & Sales See All

Milestones See All

Flying Sword Heroes: Gravity-Defying Tales from Taiwan Screening Series
Film Screenings and Series | Aug 14 - Aug 24, 2025
United States > New York > Schenectady > > 12305

Narratives See All

Flying Sword Heroes: Gravity-Defying Tales from Taiwan Screening Series
Film Screenings and Series | Aug 14 - Aug 24, 2025
United States > New York > Schenectady > > 12305

Show and Movie Releases See All

Hong Kong Cinema Classics Retrospective of John Woo, Tsui Hark and More
Film Screenings and Series | Aug 15 - Aug 28, 2025
United States > New York > New York City > > 10014
Flying Sword Heroes: Gravity-Defying Tales from Taiwan Screening Series
Film Screenings and Series | Aug 14 - Aug 24, 2025
United States > New York > Schenectady > > 12305

Social and Cultural Events See All

World Photography Week
Social and Cultural Events | Aug 12 - Aug 26
Make Music New York, World Music Day
Social and Cultural Events | Jun 21 - Dec 21

August 18th In History

Auctions, Pop Ups and Marketplaces See All

Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own Exhibit and Auction
Memorabilia Exhibition | Aug 1 - Sep 11, 2023

Contests and Giveaways See All

EA Sports Madden NFL 24
Game Release Dates | Aug 18 - Sep 6, 2023
Ladies of STK DJ Tour
Contests | Jul 20 - Aug 26, 2023
United States > New York > New York City > > 10014

Firsts, Starts and Openings See All

First-ever Fanatics Fest NYC Takes Place
Inaugurals | Aug 16 - Aug 18, 2024
United States > New York > New York City > > 10014
Birth / Rebirth
Television/Streaming Premiere | Aug 18, 2023

Milestones See All

EA Sports Madden NFL 24
Game Release Dates | Aug 18 - Sep 6, 2023

Narratives See All

Ben Cross
Deaths | Aug 18, 2020

Product Releases See All

Show and Movie Releases See All

Blue Beetle
U.S. Theatrical Releases | Aug 18, 2023

Ralph McDaniels Broadcasts First Episode of Video Music Box While Working as a Broadcast Engineer at WNYC TV | Dec 5, 1983

Ralph McDaniels Broadcasts First Episode of Video Music Box While Working as a Broadcast Engineer at WNYC TV

Milestones, Television/Streaming Premiere | Dec 5, 1983

NYC TV, WNYC, WNYC Foundation

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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