In 1988, MTV launched its first ever hip-hop show, “Yo! MTV Raps” hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dre. The two-hour program exposed audiences all over America to rap music and hip-hop culture from coast to coast.

Though the show went off the air in 1995, it went down in history as the longest running, and as one of the most influential, hip-hop programs. It became a platform for artists to have their videos (that might otherwise not have been in rotation on MTV) played, and a way for kids all over the world to feel more connected to hip-hop culture.

Now, 20 years later, MTV celebrates the anniversary of “Yo! MTV Raps” by devoting the month of April to special programming: highlights of past episodes, a look back by the original hosts, as well as commentaries by some of today’s artists – including a round table discussion on how hip-hop programming has evolved over the past 20 years.

Be on the look out for “Yo! MTV Raps” Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 30 at 4:30 p.m. and Yo! Countdown Shows on April 28 through 30 at 4:30 p.m. Also, MTV2 Sucker Free: “Yo! MTV Raps” airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 30 at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Sucker Free Sunday Countdown is on April 26 at noon.

For more information, visit www.mtv.com.