BET has announced an original three-part documentary of its iconic series Rap City, produced by Mass Appeal.
Titled Welcome To Rap City, it will unlock the vaults of Rap City, airing never-before-seen footage of iconic Hip Hop stars while providing viewers with a look at the historic and cultural significance of the tv program that had everyone glued. The special features some of today’s hottest Hip Hop stars, behind-the-scenes movers & shakers, and the original “Rap City” hosts including Big Tigger, Big Lez, Chris “The Mayor” Thomas, Hans “Prime” Dobson, Prince DaJour, Joe Clair, Mad Linx, J-Nicks and Q45.
Rap City was famous for its freestyles from artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Geto Boys, 50 Cent & G-Unit, Eve, Jadakiss, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Killer Mike, LL Cool J, Ludacris, OutKast, Snoop Dogg, The Diplomats, Trina, and many more. It also aired music videos, commentary and interviews.
Welcome To Rap City premieres Tuesday, October 10 at 8 PM ET/PT, followed by “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2023.
“Welcome To Rap City” features sit-down interviews with Aiyisha T. Obafemi (Entertainment Executive, DTP), Alvin “The Unseen VJ” Jones (Co-creator of Rap City), Chaka Zulu (Entertainment Executive, DTP), Charlamagne Tha God (Co-host, The Breakfast Club), Debra Lee (CEO & Chairman Emerita, BET), DJ Drama (Deejay and creator of Gangsta Grillz Mixtapes), Kevin Liles (CEO/Chairman/Co-Founder, 300 Entertainment), Mouse Jones (Media Personality), Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (Journalist, Former Editor-In-Chief of The Source Magazine), Shanti Hinds (Former Sr. Director of Marketing, La Face Records), Stephen G. Hill (Former President of Music Programming, BET), Tuma Basa (Director of Black Music & Culture, YouTube), John “Dr. Teeth” Tucker (Director, Former Producer, Rap City) and many others.
“We are thrilled to commemorate Rap City, a series much like the genre that was ahead of its time, and proudly show viewers the impact this series had on music and culture over our three-night event,” said Sam D. Walker II, VP of Music Specials and Productions, BET. “Hip Hop is in the DNA of BET. With our esteemed partners at Mass Appeal, we can’t wait to showcase some historical gems from the longest-running rap show during the genre’s landmark anniversary.”
“As we celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th birthday, we also have to honor the programs that have documented and amplified our culture,” said Jenya Meggs, SVP Partnerships & Content Acquisition for Mass Appeal. “Mass Appeal is proud to partner with BET to produce Welcome to Rap City and illustrate how this iconic television series provided some of Hip Hop’s biggest artists with a platform to reach audiences across the country.”
Welcome to Rap City is executive produced by Connie Orlando, Jamal Noisette, and Sam Walker II for BET and Peter Bittenbender, Jenya Meggs, Camara Rose for Mass Appeal. The three-part documentary was directed by Rahman Ali Bugg.
