02 February 2019
Newsdesk
MTV UK today announced that it has greenlit a second local series of the legendary hip-hop franchise “YO! MTV Raps,” celebrating the best in UK rap music and hip hop culture.
The UK format of “YO! MTV Raps” is commissioned and Executive Produced by Jeremy Davies for MTV and produced by Lemonade Money; with dynamic duo Poet and Snoochie Shy returning as hosts. The series will feature in-studio guest interviews and bespoke live performances, as well as special segments showcasing rising new artists and cultural trends within the UK hip hop scene. The series will air on MTV UK in Spring.
In addition to the series commission there will be a host of rap-related content to support the “YO! MTV Raps” franchise throughout the year across linear and digital.
MTV UK will debut a new bi-weekly chat show called Yo! Rates with hosts Poet and Shy introducing the hottest new rap videos and chatting to guest artists, plus a new monthly live bespoke performance artist series called Yo! Originals with a unique creative tuned to each individual performer. On MTV Base, a rap video of the week will play under the banner of Yo! Rates and will get prominent weekly placement in playlist and across MTV’s social media channels. Exclusive short form clips will also be available for fans to enjoy on MTV’s social channels.
“With so much unique, credible and passionate rap and hip hop talent coming from the UK, ‘YO! MTV Raps’ is the perfect destination for fans”, Anna Karatziva, Head of Talent and Music, MTV UK commented. “Bringing back this legendary brand for a second series and airing extra supporting content year-round across our network demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the genre giving artists a platform to showcase their talent.”
After its debut over 30 years ago on August 6, 1988, “YO! MTV Raps” became the premiere destination for all things hip hop. The advent of the series was crucial to the rise of rap music, and created a global passion for the genre and greater hip hop culture, which has since become the most dominant force in mainstream music and pop culture worldwide.
In 2018, MTV announced the reinvention and central redevelopment of “YO! MTV Raps,” expanding the legendary hip-hop franchise across multiple territories including Germany, Southeast Asia and Africa throughout 2019.
Series one of the UK edition featured a stellar line up of acts including Chip, Ghetts, Flohio, Michael Dapaah, Octavian, Ray Blk, Stefflon Don, Yxng Bane and more. Additional detail and talent for the new series will be announced at a later date.
