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

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

Author: Hip Hop Movie Club April 4, 2026 Duration: 5:46

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


The Hip Hop Movie Club podcast is a lively conversation at the intersection of cinema and culture, hosted by three friends with deep roots in the scene. You’ll hear from JB, who brings a passion for 80s and 90s nostalgia; BooGie, a veteran DJ and graffiti artist; and DynoWright, a filmmaker and multimedia designer. Their discussions go beyond simple reviews, weaving together commentary on filmmaking, television, and the musical beats that define eras. This isn't just about what happens on screen-it's about the style, the soundtrack, and the societal echoes found in the movies they love. The podcast often ties into their real-world events, like their upcoming free screening of *Set It Off* in Bethlehem, PA, but the core of the show is the trio's authentic, knowledgeable banter. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with friends who can dissect a film's direction one minute and the genius of its hip hop soundtrack the next. For anyone who views movies as more than just entertainment and hears the rhythm in the dialogue and editing, this podcast offers a fresh, informed perspective. It’s a natural blend of analysis and appreciation, celebrating how hip hop aesthetics and storytelling resonate through visual media.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Hip Hop Movie Club
Podcast Episodes
The next great rapper turned actor? | Mr. Happy review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:45
If you are in need of help related to a mental health crisis or suicide, in the United States please dial 988 for 24/7 help.Mr. Happy ain't a Pharrell banger! This "misguided search for true happiness" is a Vice short fi…
The Documentary That Disappeared for 25 Years: Big Fun in the Big Town [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:55
We crack open an incredible time capsule of early Hip Hop in New York City! BEDANKT to Dutch filmmaker Bram van Splunteren for this gem. Topics discussed:🔮 Predictions about Hip Hop that came true!👊🏾 Less acknowledged pi…
Wiz Khalifa's Still Rolling Papers: More Promo Than Documentary? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:09
This Wiz Khalifa documentary "Still Rolling Papers" is a 10th anniversary celebration of his multi-platinum Rolling Papers album.Topics discussed:📄 Paper thin storytelling🏴‍☠️ Wiz's Pittsburgh pride👟 His signature style🚬…
Hip Hop fans, this is a must-see: Ice-T's "The Art of Rap" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
The O.G. himself assembles 47 of the greatest rappers that ever lived to talk about how they make the rhymes that move the crowds. Topics discussed:✍🏾 the craft of writing rhymes and rapping ⭕️ two mind-blowing full-circ…
De La Soul Is Not Dead: Innovation, Influence, and Integrity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:57
Trugoy the Dove may have passed, but De La Soul is not dead! We'll explain why, having watched the 2016 documentary from Mass Appeal. It's a must-watch for any De La Soul fan.Topics discussed:🥇 How De La Soul stayed rele…
Hamilton: The Power of Teaching History through Hip Hop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:53
In 2023, we reviewed the 2020 film version of the Broadway production of Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda's revolutionary approach to edutainment delivered - for Gen X old heads and young folks alike! Topics discussed:🎭 Why…
Stop sleeping on the OutKast film Idlewild! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:28
Idlewild (2006) is a story about friendship, dreams, and survival —all set to an OutKast soundtrack in a glittering, dangerous Jazz Age world. But most people missed out on it!Topics discussed:🤔 Why you should reconsider…
Is this hip hop's #MeToo moment? Sean Combs: The Reckoning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
CONTENT WARNING: SA, self-harmWe weigh in on the hot Netflix documentary SEAN COMBS: THE RECKONING, executive produced by 50 Cent. Is this hip hop's #MeToo moment? Can hip hop hold its icons to the standards it holds the…
The Greatness of Run-DMC's Christmas in Hollis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
It's the holiday season, so we are unwrapping what makes the music video and the song "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC so great!Topics discussed:"Back Door Santa" by Clarence Carter - the beat behind the songHow "Christm…