106 & Park: The CNN of Hip-hop

In 2000, BET introduced the world to a new show named 106 & Park.

We didn’t know it then, but this show would go on to define an era of music and media that has yet to be replicated. Its importance to Black culture can’t be overstated, and its legacy deserves mention.

There are rumors of a reboot happening this year, so until then, what better way to set the stage than by reminding people of this magnificent piece of TV programming?

Y’all know the vibes by now… Pull up a seat and parlay with ya homie for a few.

WHAT IS 106 & PARK?

106 was essentially a video countdown, much like TRL, but it was geared toward a Black audience—a demo that was especially underserved by traditional media in those days.

When Stephen G. Hill noticed the gap in the market, he got together with Rick Grimes, who was also at BET. Together, they built what Stephen Hill called the CNN for Black teens.

** It should be noted that music producer Jermaine Dupri also says that he helped create the show. In his recollection, 106 was an idea he floated to Stephen Hill while figuring out how to promote his artist Bow Wow. See HERE.

For those who don’t know, 106 & Park was once the crown jewel of BET’s programming. It aired every weekday from around 5:30 to 7pm, and included live performances/interviews from some of the best artists in the culture.

In just a short time, 106 became a career-defining platform, catapulting artists like Bow Wow, B2K, Chris Brown, and Destiny’s Child into superstardom. It lasted about 14 years, and depending on when you grew up, you know different hosts from the show.

THE HOSTS

The amazing thing about 106 is that all of the hosts went on to do some amazing things after leaving. In all, there were four sets of hosts during the show's tenure, and each represented a different era of Hip-hop fans.

I. AJ & FREE (2000-2005)

Depending on who you ask, ‘00 to ‘05 was like the golden era of 106 & Park, and AJ & Free were the OGs of that time—for many fans of the show, it ended once they left. If you were there for the AJ & Free era, you likely remember the days of Rocafella Records and Murder Inc.

Together, AJ & Free broke some of the biggest news stories in the culture and hosted interviews with artists like Jay Z, Destiny’s Child, 50 Cent, etc. Basically, any Black star you can think of in that era stopped through there, and AJ & Free were the ones they chopped it up with.

II. BIG TIGGER & JULISSA BERMUDEZ (2005-2006)

When it was announced that AJ and Free would be leaving 106 & Park, the circumstances surrounding their departure were unclear.

Despite that, BET launched a talent search for the next hosts of 106 & Park, and in the meantime they tapped Big Tigger (former host of Rap City), and Julissa to fill in. For a time they were the faces of 106 & Park, bringing their unique energy and vibe to show before it found its next permanent co-hosts.

III. ROCSI & TERRANCE J (2006-2012)

After the talent search concluded, BET announced that Terrance J and Rocsi were the new hosts of 106 & Park. In some ways, they mark a generational shift in the show—older millennials departed with AJ & Free, but younger millennials who were just getting into music culture grew up with them.

Ultimately, the Terrance J & Rocsi era of 106 was another defining one with its own special moments, and it helped launch both Rocsi and Terrance J’s careers in film and broadcasting.

IV. BOW WOW & KESHIA CHANTE (2012-2014)

Bow Wow, aka Mr. 106, was one of the last notable hosts of 106 & Park, along with Keshia Chante, who was a rising media star.

Although the culture tries to front on him now, people tend to forget that Bow got the name Mr. 106 because of how big of a star he was. Every time Bow Wow was on 106 & park, it was a memorable moment, and a lot of his music videos were “retired” from the countdown — an honor one could only achieve by having your song on the countdown for multiple months on end.

WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT?

You might ask…

“What made 106 & Park such a pivotal program? “

Great question.

At its peak, 106 & Park was BET’s highest-rated show, regularly beating even MTV’s iconic TRL in ratings—an unprecedented feat for a Black-centric program at the time.

More to the point, while early 20-somethings may get into programming like ET or MTV, those platforms were pop platforms that often catered to Pop artists.

BET served a need that other TV networks weren’t fulfilling. As a result, Black teens who consumed a wide range of media had a place to see their favorites, the biggest news in their households, and so much more.

It was also a “MUST-VISIT” for artists doing PR runs.

A 106 & Park appearance at any stage of your career could be life-changing or the difference between your single flopping or reaching a new audience.

And artists didn’t just drop by for interviews—they debuted careers, discussed beefs, and made moments that defined pop culture. Remember that Bow Wow and Omarion takeover? Of course, you do.

A. THE INTERVIEWS

106 was home to a lot of exclusive interviews that you couldn’t find anywhere else. They talked with everyone from Beyonce and Lil Wayne to Whitney Houston and Prince. In the clip below, they interviewed Aaliyah in what was one of her last taped interviews. Their presence in the culture was massive.

B. THE LIVE SHOWS

Another big component of 106 & Park was the performances, which effortlessly ranged from R&B to Hip-hop and soul.

Times were different back then, so if you couldn’t make it to a concert to see your favorite artist, there wasn’t social media to recap the event for you. So, for many Black youths, 106 & Park was the only time that they got to see the artists that they love.

Here are just a few of the best 106 & Park performances ever:

C. WILD OUT WEDNESDAY

Keeping in touch with all pillars of Hip-hop culture, 106 & Park was one of (if not the only) shows on mainstream TV to feature up-and-coming dance crews and give them a shine on a major stage.

This segment, dubbed “Wild Out Wednesday,” allowed two crews to battle in front of a live studio audience and featured an array of dance styles & crews from different parts of the world.

It hasn't been done since; I’m just saying.

D. FREESTYLE FRIDAY

The best section of 106 & Park was its battle event, Freestyle Friday, which happened at the end of every week.

Freestyle Friday was the hub responsible for breaking many rap talents who otherwise didn’t get love from the mainstream. Those who made it a few weeks or were “retired” from Freestyle Friday because they won for months on end often ended up with record deals or extended press.

Jin, whose battles are below, was one of the first rappers on Freestyle Friday to be “retired,” and his success on the show helped catapult his rap career:

EPILOGUE

As times changed and terrestrial TV began to fade as the main form of entertainment, network viewership declined. Coupled with the regime changes at BET, much of their programming was affected, including 106 & Park, which ultimately shut down in 2014.

Though 106 & Park’s legacy isn’t forgotten, it can’t be overstated. Since it's gone, there hasn’t really been a show to capture that same effect, and to that end, there are rumors of a reboot happening this year.

Not gonna lie; the streets need that. ASAP.

In the meantime, I’ll be watching some of the interviews, thinking about the days when Hip-hop media actually meant more than just gossip. As the pendulum swings, we’ll probably head back to a better place media-wise, but my only question is… Will 106 & Park meet us there?

One.