'This is the real narrative': Ralph McDaniels reaches 40-year milestone with Video Music Box as world gears up for hip hop's historic moment

By Angélika Beener

Published August 11, 2023 at 6:00 AM EDT

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It's hip hop's 50th birthday! On the latest episode of Milestones, Black media legend Ralph McDaniels joins to discuss the legacy of his pioneering television program, Video Music Box. Celebrating a milestone of its own this year, Video Music Box became one of the most important shows in music video history, as it illuminated a budding genre called hip hop, and centered Black youth culture overall at a time when it was not a consideration in mainstream media. Video Music Box stands as the longest running music video program in history.

Co-produced by Stevan Smith

Milestones theme produced by Riley K. Glasper

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Angélika Beener

Angélika Beener is an award-winning journalist, DJ, host and producer. Angélika has contributed her work to Downbeat, TIDAL, The Huffington Post, NPR Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and National Public Radio. In addition, she has contributed liner notes to several acclaimed recording projects, including two GRAMMY®-winning albums. A journalist who writes about music and culture at the intersections of race, gender, and generation, her work in public radio has been recognized by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and The New York Association of Black Journalists.

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