Beginning in the fall of 2000, in front of your television at 6pm Eastern was the place to be Monday through Friday. "106 and Park" served as a platform that helped many emerging artist such as current host Bow Wow and several of his peers build a solid fan base strictly off of appearances on the show. 106 also served as a platform that helped merge genres of music and incorporate different walks of life into the urban community. Artist, actors and athlete's audiences who may have appealed to different demographics, had the opportunity to expand their brand and connect to teenagers and young adults across the country. The show also incorporated political and cultural awareness initiatives to keep its viewers up to date on happenings of the world and in the communities that directly affected them.
Nonetheless, "106 and Park" kept Hip-Hop and R&B music videos on television and made dreams a reality for so many people. Beginning with Free & AJ to Julisa & Big Tigger, Terrence & Rocsi, to now Bow Wow & Keshia, the faces of 106 have always remained relatable and a reflection of its demographics. It's New Joint of the Day to its Freestyle Friday Battles and celebrity interviews, there will always be classic moments that the show's beginning audience will never forget. As sad as the news is, change must come. The majority of the beginning viewers of "106 and Park" is now all grown up and probably is not in front of their TV at 6 PM every day. The newer generation is interested in other things, and may not fully understand the impact the show had on the generations before them.
With the show going off air officially and converting to a digital platform leaves the question, will there ever be another show such as "106 and Park?" In a time where the music business does not produce platiumn selling artist in one week anymore and a film industry that struggles for black-cast films to hit #1 at the box office opening weekend, the absence of a show such as this could add to the decline in urban culture on large platforms such as television film and music industries. Is there still hope for music TV or is the digital move the way? What do you think?
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