Rap City (BET program)

infobox television |
show_name = Rap City
Creator = Alvin Jones


caption =
format = Music Video Series
runtime = 60 minutes (originally 120 minutes from January 1989 to early-mid 2005)
creator = Alvin Jones
starring = Q45
country = USA
network = BET
first_aired = 1989
last_aired = 2008
website = http://www.bet.com/Site+Management/Packages/rap+city.htm
imdb_id = 0244923|:"For the Canadian TV series, see RapCity"Rap City" is a long-running music video television program block (debuting in 1989) aired on the Black Entertainment Television network. The program was an exclusive showcase for hip hop music videos, and features interviews with and freestyles from popular rappers, and often has guest DJs serve as co-hosts.

History

Conception

The show was created by former BET VJ/producer Alvin Jones, a.k.a "The Unseen VJ". This was a spin-off of the "Rap Week" segment of "Video Vibrations", also hosted by "The Unseen VJ".

While its competitor "Yo! MTV Raps", which is now discontinued, mainly focused on all of the popular rappers, "Rap City" also included videos from up and coming underground rappers.

The program also has a Weekly Top 10 Countdown that aires on Saturdays. For 1991-1994, it was known as the "Top 10 Rapdown", when Prince Dajour (who also hosted Teen Summit) was host.

Hosts and timeslots

Among notable previous hosts of the show are Chris Thomas, (The first host of the show from 1989-1991). Throughout his run, Thomas was also known as "THE MAYOR OF RAP CITY", or The Mayor. Other hosts: Hans Dobson (1989-1991), Prince Dejour (1991-1994), Joe Clair (1994-1999), and Leslie Segar (a.k.a. Big Lez) (1994-1999).

On September 13, 1999, the show was re-titled "Rap City: Tha Basement" and newly hosted by Big Tigger (a.k.a. Tigger), who succeeded Joe Clair and Big Lez. On August 28, 2000, BET moved the show to a new time slot at 4 p.m.

On January 21, 2005, the show was repackaged and host Big Tigger was replaced by Mad Linx, a DJ and radio personality. The transition was explained that Tigger's "mother" sold the basement and forced Big Tig out to live with his father.

On October 3, 2005, Mad Linx went on hiatus to host "BET Road Show". For several weeks, the show was hosted by J-Nicks, a native of St. Louis. Occasionally, special guests (such as a hip hop star) would host "Rap City". The network also shortened the shows run time from two to one hour.

On December 28, 2005, BET returned the show to its original 5 p.m. time slot. Mad Linx returned to his weekday routine on February 2, 2006. J-Nicks left to work as a weekday radio DJ for WHTA Hot 107.9 FM in Atlanta. On August 24, 2006, Q45 replaced Mad Linx on the show. On September 25, 2006, the time slot for "Rap City" changed to 4 p.m., and then flipped back to 5 p.m. in October 2006. From that moment on, Q45 hosted the show on Weekdays. Mad Linx hosted "Rap City Top 10" on Saturdays and Big Tigger hosted the show as "Rap City Presents..." specials.

On September 17, 2007, BET changed the timeslot of "Rap City" to 1 a.m. Eastern Time. A timeslot previously held by re-runs of "The Parkers" and other syndicated shows. In the timeslot that "Rap City" previously occupied, random music videos are now being shown. In October 2007, due to drop of ratings "Rap City" returned to its previous time slot at 5 p.m.

In September 2008, The Show now starts at 3 p.m.

The freestyle booth

One of the most prominent and most popular segments of the show has been the freestyle booth. In these particular segments, the guests would lay exclusive new vocals on the spot. This came to place around Big Tigger's tenure, which also included a guest DJ every week. Seemingly, this concept was scrapped when "Tha Basement" concept left but it has since returned. This is now seen as a major staple of "Rap City", although no hosts other than Big Tigger have joined in during the freestyle sessions. On several occasions back in the early 2000's, the freestyle booth was mostly, if not completely uncensored. Also when special guests come and leave they leave with a signature, in the booth, on the wall.

End of run

BET has officially canceled "Rap City", its last airing will be Wednesday October 29, 2008 and will be replaced by "The Deal". [ [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7806/title.bets-rap-city-to-be-replaced-by-the-deal BET's Rap City To Be Replaced By The Deal] ] It is roumered that business man Carlton Richard, President of The Richard Organization, LLC is working on a deal to purchase the rights to rap city and revamp the program. Mr. Richard said that he could not comment at this time but urged fans of Rap City to keep in touch through his company website www.therichardorganization.com

Related media

* [http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/rapcity/ "Rap City" at BET.com]
*imdb title|id=0244923|name=Rap City
*"Rap City The Bassment: The Best of The Booth - 100% Freestyles", a mixtape CD (DJ Keyz and Tapemasters Inc.) [ [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000750P5I Amazon.com: Rap City The Bassment: The Best of The Booth - 100% Freestyles [Mixtape: Music ] ]
* [http://www.music.com/release/bet:_best_of_rap_city/1/ "BET: Best of Rap City"]
* [http://store.baylostore.com/rapcity1.html "Rap City's Best of The Booth Vol. 1" DVD]

References