The Man Behind Hip-Hop TV: Ralph McDaniels on Nas, Suge Knight & Music Video History

In this episode of Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with hip hop media pioneer Ralph McDaniels, creator of Video Music Box. He shares how he built the show like a mixtape, maintained full creative control, and gave artists like Nas their first shot in front of the camera. We explore the golden era of music videos, MTV’s impact, and whether Suge Knight gets enough credit for shaping the industry. Ralph also responds to Dr. Umar’s critiques of hip hop and discusses the genre’s lasting power to connect people worldwide. From stories about DMX, Kanye, and Drake, to thoughts on New York’s musical influence and threats like Project 2025, this episode is full of game, history, and cultural insight. Tap in. Invest Fest Ticket Link: https://investfest.com #RalphMcDaniels #VideoMusicBox #Nas #HipHopHistory #SugeKnight #MTV #KanyeWest #Drake #Project2025 #EarnYourLeisure #EYL #DMX #BlackExcellence Our Sponsors: * Check out PNC Bank: https://www.pnc.com * Check out Square: https://square.com/go/eyl Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.