Inside #TheVault: Yo! MTV Raps

On August 6, 1988, Yo! MTV Raps premiered as the first Hip-Hop centered television programming. It was the first attempt by MTV to showcase Hip-Hop as a respected art form. The show produced a variety of rap videos, interviews with rappers, live in-studio performances and comedy. Through MTV, Yo! MTV Raps exposed Hip-Hop culture globally and helped created Hip-Hop as an appreciated Black cultural relic worldwide.

In its seven year run, the show had a popular list of hosts as its show production and operations transformed. Fab Five Freddy, the notable Hip-Hop graf writer, opened as the show's first hostthrough some of Hip-Hop foundational moments such as the infamous boycott of the The Grammy Awards (see video below), followed by Dr. Dre, Ed Lover, and T-Money. The pilot episode featured a special appearance by a young Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Guest interviews include Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, NWA, Eazy E, Ice Cube, MC Hammer, Diddy, LL Cool J, Carole King, Mel Gibson, Howard Stern, Pam Grier, James Brown, Bobby Brown and many others. Yo! MTV Raps aired its final episode on August 17, 1995. Numerous high-profile names in the world of hip-hop closed the show out with a freestyle rap session. Salt-N-Pepa appeared on the first (technically, the first episode to feature Fab 5 Freddy) and last episodes of Yo! MTV Raps.

Today we open #TheVault🗃 to showcase Yo! MTV Raps. Make sure to subscribe to Small Pink Dreams Blog and follow on Pinterest and Instagram @SmallPinkDreamsBlog

'The Album' Review

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This album, this album, this album. When Teyana Taylor said that K.T.S.E (Keep That Same Energy) wasn't her best, now I understand exactly what she meant. All 77:19 minutes kept me on the edge of my seat, ready to ingest every lyric and sing along with her. It was hard for me to fall bored with this project, because each song felt as though it was a continuation of the previous. After all, Teyana did take complete creative control of this project. Read below for my thoughts on the first five songs!

Teyana Taylor released her third studio album The Album on June 19, 2020. Outside of the date, there was no true correlation to Juneteenth celebration. However, here are some of the key takeaways I found:

1. Protect the love you have for your family, because it is your vessel
2. ALWAYS learn from the mistakes you've made in the past
3. Use your wisdom... wisely

Intro

It literally began with describing the birth of life. I thought it was particularly powerful for this album to open with what seems to be Iman Shumpert (Teyana Taylor's husband and NBA player) calling the emergency line for assistance after a surprise birth of their daughter. It is true that the new couple had bore their first child on their bathroom floor. I found it endearing that in that chaos, Iman is calm, while describing the moment to the operator and as he keeps both his daughter and wife warm. 

Come Back To Me (featuring Junie and Rick Ross)

Ok, I'm unsure if this is my top two but not number two, you feel me? This song is sultry, it's gangsta, it's full of truth and awareness. Honestly, I think this song would make a great follow-up single to "Wake Up Love". Of course, Rick Ross and Baby Junie adds flavor to the song. In fact, I love any song that Ross features because it is guaranteed Big Poppa vibes (hats off to the original Big Poppa, Notorious B.I.G). The song was originally recorded for VII (2015) but it came back full circle in 2020. Baby Junie's vocals were added to the track which pulls on my heart (and ovaries) strings. Overall Teyana seems to question in the song how much are you willing to fight for the love you have shared with another person?

Wake Up Love (featuring Iman Shumpert)

Teyana released this song literally days before the release of this album. From the song to the adjoining video, it is gentle message to love. I just love the accountability that Teyana shows in this song. She makes it known that she hasn't been the happiest with her partner but she wants to re-ignite the romance they once had. Did y'all know Iman had bars? I definitely was surprised and impressed at how smooth their vocals blended on this track. The "lil mama"s made the song personal. Iman reminds his wife that There's a whole lot more than a make up after break up. Can't you see, Iman, that Teyana wants reassurance and security! 

Let's Build (featuring Quavo)

I'll be honest, I don't like Quavo. Not as a rapper or a person. But one thing Quavo can do is make a good hook. Specifically in this track, his raspy, trap voice gave the song the edge it needed to captivate male listeners. "Let's Build" is expanding the resources that you and your partner have acquired together. Why focus on the drama when you can focus on a check? "Let's Build" also reminds me about the trauma Teyana Taylor may also be healing from as an entrepreneur and artist. It seems by this track that reassurance is important to Teyana. She wants to be reassured that her partners are loyal to the circumstances of their relationship. This means making decisions that are beneficial to yourself, your professional business, and your family. 

Lowkey (featuring Erykah Badu)

When she first heard the beat, Teyana related the song back to "Next Lifetime." In that instance, Teyana wondered "How do I make it my own? How do I make it new? How do I make it relatable for girls in 2019, of my generation?" In the original song, Erykah Badu expresses her desires for another lover outside of her relationship. Lowkey is about freely expressing your wants. But it lowkey sounds like those empty promises you always hear married men tell their mistresses. Sure baby, once I divorce her, you'll be all mine...sure.