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What was the first video to air on MTV by a black artist?

Question #13026. Asked by winger.
Last updated Mar 01 2024.

Related Trivia Topics: Television   Music  
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gtho4
Answer has 6 votes
gtho4
25 year member
2399 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.
This is from link https://www.beaumarisartgroup.org.au/f-artist/first-video-on-mtv-by-a-black-artist.html

It was only with the phenomenal success of Michael Jackson and his 'Thriller' album of 1983 that MTV and its harsh color barrier format were broken. It was Jackson and his 'pluralistic market appeal' that paved the way for himself and subsequently other African-American artists. Even Jackson's airing was met with difficulty. Both 'Billy Jean' and 'Beat It' - two songs enjoying enormous success on American radio waves were initially rejected by MTV. It was only when MTV realized the money it stood to lose due to its exclusionary format that it allowed Jackson to be aired. Incidentally, both of Jackson's videos went on to become 'two of the most popular videos ever aired on MTV' - putting to rest MTV's belief that it was only R and R which its target demographic desired.


Response last updated by gtho4 on May 17 2021.
Jul 26 2001, 9:37 AM
SAYBOW69
Answer has 13 votes
Currently Best Answer
SAYBOW69

Answer has 13 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
tina turner, donna summer, eddie grant and musical youth "pass the dutchie" were all black artist aired on mtv before jackson, but michael jackson`s "bille jean" is credited with having been first black video played in heavy rotation and "breaking the barrier" but was not the first black artist aired
Breaking both sides of the Atlantic with their album “The Youth Of Today”, the boys were now peers with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. In fact contrary to popular belief, it was Musical Youth who were the first Black act on MTV and not the latter.
link https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/interviews/musical-youth-we-were-the-first-black-act-on-mtv


Response last updated by gtho4 on Jan 04 2024.
Jun 26 2009, 8:35 PM
billy2times
Answer has 1 vote
billy2times

Answer has 1 vote.
I have been researching this the past couple days since Michael Jackson's death and every one saying he was first. Several black artist were played before him. 'Pass The Dutchie' by Musical Youth and '1999' by Prince were both in heavy rotation on MTV before 'Billie Jean'. Both were considered crossover hits with appeal to MTV's audience. Yes, Michael Jackson did make them look at their programming format and expand it to meet his style of music, but he was not first.

Jul 04 2009, 12:30 PM
matt2789
Answer has 11 votes
matt2789

Answer has 11 votes.
According to wikipedia the UK Ska band "The Specials" who had a mixture of both black and white musicians was the first video on MTV to feature black artists. The video was "Rat Race" and was played as the 58th video on the first day or their airing.
During MTV's first few years, very few black artists were featured. The select few in MTV's rotation were Michael Jackson, Prince, Eddy Grant, Donna Summer, Joan Armatrading, Musical Youth, The Specials, The Selecter, Grace Jones and Herbie Hancock. Mikey Craig of Culture Club, Joe Leeway of Thompson Twins and Tracy Wormworth of The Waitresses were also black. The Specials, which included black and white vocalists and musicians, were also the first act with people of color to perform on MTV; their song "Rat Race" was the 58th video on the station's first broadcast day.
link https://en.everybodywiki.com/MTV


Response last updated by gtho4 on Mar 01 2024.
Jun 14 2010, 1:10 PM
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