MTV International has announced a UK version of its legendary hip-hop franchise Yo! MTV Raps.
The franchise, which is also being rolled out in Germany, Southeast Asia and Africa, debuted on August 6, 1988 and played an important role in the rise of rap music across the world. Twenty new localised episodes are being produced for its return.
Its UK edition will launch on September 25 with the German, Southeast Asian and African launches scheduled to rollout into 2019. Reinvented for the current generation, each international Yo! will be anchored by two local presenters and feature regional emerging artists, in-studio and remote custom performances, and special segments.
“Our reimagined Yo! MTV Raps series will celebrate all aspects of hip-hop culture and the global force it has become,” said Bruce Gillmer, global head of music and talent, Viacom and co-brand head, MTV International. “Music will of course be at the heart of each episode. Relaunching this legendary franchise with local perspectives will give today’s generation of hip hop lovers a fresh platform to share their passion and love for hip-hop all over the world.”
The multi-territory expansion follows MTV’s June livestream of the Yo! MTV Raps 30th Anniversary Experience, which brought together hip-hop legends at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY; as well as MTV Asia’s Yo! MTV Raps special, which also aired in June, featuring 11 hip-hop artists from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
