By Justin Chadwick | @justin_chadwick
By the summer of 1991, Yo! MTV Raps had graced the cable airwaves for three years strong, becoming the de facto destination for hip-hop heads to grab their fix of the latest and greatest artists and videos. To commemorate the shows achievements, the always-charismatic host Fab 5 Freddy invited viewers on a whirlwind trip down Yo! memory lane by revisiting a thoroughly entertaining compilation of his favorite moments and classic interviews.
Artists featured on the special anniversary episode include Salt-N-Pepa, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Public Enemy, Tone L?c, N.W.A, Michael Concepcion (the mastermind behind the 1990 West Coast Rap All-Stars anti-gang violence anthem Were All in the Same Gang), Ice Cube, Slick Rick, KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest, 3rd Bass, Queen Latifah, Nice & Smooth, MC Lyte, Naughty by Nature, Brand Nubian, and Leaders of the New School, among others.
Standout highlights include Kid n Play selling Christmas trees on the street, Ice-T & Big Daddy Kane delivering public service messages at a Harlem school, a medley of Run DMCs greatest appearances, Spike Lee announcing Professor Griffs pending exit from Public Enemy at the Do the Right Thing Premiere Party (with Al B Sure!s If Im Not Your Lover blasting in the background) followed by the director suggesting a year later that 2 Live Crew are kinda ignorant. Oh, and a behind-the-scenes MC Hammer tour dance rehearsal is thrown in for good measure. Or for comic effect, depending on your perspective.
We hope you enjoy this enthralling, nostalgia-stroking artifact of hip-hop history and culture as much as we do, and stay tuned for additional Yo! MTV Raps throwback memories here on soulhead!
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