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Black America Web
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
10 Iconic Music Videos That Aired On MTV
10 Iconic Music Videos That Aired On MTV Today marks 44 years since a groundbreaking moment in music and television history. At 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981, MTV (Music Television) made its debut, transforming pop culture and the way we experience music. The first video to air was The Buggles' aptly named 'Video Killed the Radio Star' — a fitting and prophetic anthem that ushered in the era of music videos. MTV dominated pop culture with its music programming throughout the 80s and 90s. Here are 10 iconic music videos that aired on the legendary channel: 10 Iconic Music Videos That Aired On MTV was originally published on 1. Name: Michael Jackson – 'Thriller' (1983) The gold standard. A 14-minute horror-themed short film directed by John Landis. Revolutionized music videos as cinematic events. 2. Madonna – 'Like a Prayer' (1989) Controversial and groundbreaking, blending religious imagery, race, and sexuality. Sparked protests and a Pepsi ad fallout. 3. A-ha – 'Take On Me' (1985) A game-changer in animation and live-action blending. The rotoscoping technique became legendary. 4. Nirvana – 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (1991) Ushered in the grunge era. The anti-cheerleader high school riot look became a symbol of early '90s rebellion. 5. Peter Gabriel – 'Sledgehammer' (1986) Groundbreaking stop-motion and claymation. Still one of the most visually creative videos ever made. 6. Britney Spears – '…Baby One More Time' (1998) This debut video launched Britney Spears into pop superstardom and became a late-'90s classic. 7. Duran Duran – 'Hungry Like the Wolf' (1982) One of the first videos to use exotic, filmic locations. Helped make Duran Duran MTV royalty. 8. The Buggles – 'Video Killed the Radio Star' (1979) The first music video ever played on MTV. Its message was prophetic, and the synth-pop visuals were a perfect kickoff for the MTV era. 9. Dire Straits – 'Money For Nothing' (1985) One of the first videos to use 3D computer animation, featuring blocky appliance store workers watching MTV — a perfect snapshot of the channel's rise and influence. 10. Def Leppard – 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' (1987) Stadium rock at its flashiest — shot in a packed arena with flying sweat, lights, and guitar riffs. A staple of MTV's hair metal heyday.
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First Post
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
History Today: How MTV redefined music with its launch
Music Television (MTV) was launched on August 1, 1981, in New York and changed the history of music forever. MTV offered 24/7 music videos, introduced by a new breed of television personalities known as Video Jockeys (VJs) read more The history of music changed forever on August 1, 1981, with the launch of a new television channel called Music Television (MTV) in New York City. The launch took place at 12:01 am with the airing of the first music video - 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Buggles. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 1944, Anne Frank, the most famous diarist of the World War era, wrote her final diary entry. Just three days later, the Secret Annexe in Amsterdam was discovered and raided by Nazi authorities. Here is all that happened on this day. MTV was launched in New York City 'Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll,' were the words with which John Lack, one of the creators of MTV, launched the music channel on August 1, 1981. This was followed by the airing of The Buggles' Video Killed the Radio Star at 12:01 am. Prior to its arrival, music videos were largely promotional tools without a dedicated platform for widespread viewing. MTV changed this by offering 24/7 programming of music videos, introduced by a new breed of television personalities known as Video Jockeys (VJs). The original five VJs were Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, JJ Jackson, and Martha Quinn. They became instant celebrities, helping to shape the channel's early identity. MTV offered 24/7 programming of music videos. Representational image It transformed unknown artists into household names, heavily influencing fashion, language, and youth culture in the 1980s and beyond. Artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and Duran Duran saw their careers explode thanks to high-rotation airplay on the network. However, MTV also faced early criticism for lacking diversity in its music programming, which eventually shifted after public pressure and the breakthrough success of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean.' Over the years, MTV expanded into reality television, pop culture shows, and award events, including the iconic MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) launched in 1984. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Anne Frank writes her last diary entry Anne Frank wrote for the last time in her beloved diary on this day in 1944, just three days before she and the rest of the people hiding in the Secret Annexe were discovered and sent to concentration camps. Anne's last entry in the diary, which she fondly called 'Kitty', doesn't speak of fear or doom but instead offers a deep reflection on her inner conflict. In it, she wrote about the contrast between her outward cheerful self and her more serious, anxious inner voice. She confessed to feeling torn between these two versions of herself, namely the playful girl others see and the thoughtful writer she longs to be. 'I know exactly how I'd like to be,' she wrote, 'how I am… on the inside. But unfortunately, I'm only like that for myself.' Otto Frank discovered Anne's diary after her death and published it. File image/Reuters This entry captures Anne's profound self-awareness and emotional maturity. Despite the terrifying conditions she endured, she remained introspective, hopeful, and eager to understand herself and the world around her. After the arrest, Anne was eventually transported to Auschwitz and later to Bergen-Belsen, where she died of typhus in early 1945, just weeks before the camp was liberated. Otto Frank, Anne's father and the sole survivor of the eight people who hid in the annexe, later discovered her diary and published it with the title 'The Diary of a Young Girl' in 1945. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Day, That Year On this day in 1996, American author George RR Martin published his hugely famous book 'A Game of Thrones'. American boxer Mike Tyson was unanimously recognised as heavyweight champion after defeating Tony Tucker in 1987. John F Kennedy's bestseller 'Why England Slept' was published in 1940.
